MORE THAN 100 kilograms of grapes from mature vines in the Megalong Valley. An award-winning London Dry Gin distilled at Katoomba. Support from the historic Hydro Majestic, one of the Blue Mountains’ iconic heritage hotels.
These elements are blended in Majestic Shiraz Gin, a new, limited release product from Blue Mountains Gin Company’s craft distillery. It’s a genuinely local gin that combines the company’s delicious Mountain Devil Classic Gin with the full-bodied fruit and spice flavours of Shiraz grapes.
Gin passes the Hydro taste test
Majestic Shiraz Gin was launched this month at a tasting event held in the Belgravia Bar of the magnificent Hydro Majestic Hotel, with its vast windows offering panoramic views of the Megalong Valley.
About 60 guests gave the thumbs-up to the flavoursome new product, which was offered both straight with ice and in a remarkably tasty mix with Blue Mountains Gin Company’s Ginger Devil Alcoholic Ginger Beer.
The Hydro supported development of the new gin, which is being served to guests in the hotel’s bars and offered for sale in 500ml bottles in its retail pavilion.
Hydro Majestic general manager Adam Holmes praised this collaboration as a celebration of both the Blue Mountains and “the exceptional local producers who make our region unique”.
“Majestic Shiraz Gin brings together the history and character of the Hydro with the innovation and craftsmanship of BMGC, creating a product that offers our guests a genuine taste of the Mountains,” he said.
At the Majestic Shiraz Gin launch (l to r): Jann Dillon, Adam Holmes, Harry Dillon and John Allen.
Blue Mountains Gin Company co-owner Jann Dillon said the new gin was a great result from collaboration. “We enjoyed the challenge of developing Majestic Shiraz Gin, with encouragement and support from the Hydro Majestic Hotel. We believe it is a great new product that will benefit from our relationship with such a prominent hotel in the mountains.”
The grapes for the gin came from mature vines on the beautiful Megalong Valley property of John Allen, who also supplies grapes for the Megalong valley’s Dryridge Estate Jack Shiraz.
“I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in this project with the gin company and the Hydro, in part because my place is directly in view when you look out from the windows at the hotel,” Mr Allen said.
Getting the flavour balance just right
Blue Mountains Gin Company co-owner and distiller Harry Dillon said after the grapes were hand-picked, they went into stainless steel vats where they were steeped in Blue Mountains Gin Company’s Mountains Devil Classic Gin.
“Then the gin was drawn off with full flavour and colour from the grapes, and the challenge was to get the right balance of grape and gin flavours for the product we wanted. We did that after a few tries.”
Majestic Shiraz Gin resonates with Blue Mountains Gin Company’s mission of creating drinks in tune with the landscapes, stories and unique character of the region.
At our distillery in north Katoomba, we have a hands-on approach to small-batch production with quality to the fore in the creation of distinctive Australian gins and vodkas that reflect our mountain home.
The new gin, with its signature deep-red Shiraz colouring, is a distinctive addition to our range, which includes four main gins, three vodkas, an alcoholic ginger beer and other lines.
Production of our first batch of Majestic Shiraz Gin was limited to 420 bottles, beyond which none will be made until 2027. The new gin, in 500ml bottles, is available for retail purchase at the Hydro’s retail pavilion and at our Factory Bar, connected with the company distillery at 24 Whitton Street, Katoomba.