Four Pillars has appointed bartender Sam Ng as its full-time Gin Ambassador and Bartender in Residence.

Sam previously worked at the award-winning Black Pearl in Melbourne, where he moved up the cocktail ladder from bar back to General Manager. Sam has also collected a number of personal awards, including Australian winner of the Olmeca Altos Tahona Society in 2015 and 2014 winner of Bombay Sapphire’s Project Botanicals. Sam has also been a finalist of Diageo World Class and Bacardi Legacy.

The role officially began on Thursday (26 November) and will send Sam across the world, from Healesville to Helsinki and a few bars in between, to train and mentor bartenders, and educate consumers on Four Pillars’ offerings.

“I love a chat, I love bartending and honestly I love Four Pillars and what the guys there are trying to achieve,” Sam said.

“This is really a great opportunity that has come exactly at the right time for me. I had the best four years of my life at Black Pearl – that joint will stay, literally, in my blood for the rest of my life but this seems the right next step, the logical next challenge.”

Distiller and Partner Cam Mackenzie said the company is incredibly excited about Sam’s appointment.

“Sam is a legend – as a guy and a bartender and there was an immediate connection when we got talking about this role,” Mackenzie said.

“We have so much we want to share with consumers, customers, bartenders and anyone who will listen and Sam will definitely help us tell the story.”

Four Pillars also recently opened its new distillery in the Yarra Valley. Read more on the story here.

Image: Cam Mackenzie (left) and Sam Ng (right)