Australian distiller inducted to Hall of Fame

Central Coast distiller Philip Moore was inducted into the Gin Magazine UK’s Hall of Fame at last week's awards. The Hall of Fame is highest honour bestowed by the magazine and Mr Moore is the first and only Australian Distiller to be inducted.

Mr Moore was equal parts delighted and surprised by the award.

"Honestly, it came out of left field as we have not entered any spirit competitions in a few years. So, to be recognised with such global heavyweights was an amazing surprise," said he said.

Mr Moore taught himself the art and science of distilling in 2005, producing one of the first commercially available Australian made and owned gins in 2007. In 2017, Moore’s Dry Gin was the first Australian gin to receive a Gold Medal at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition in London and he is also the man behind the award-winning products Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and Lemon Myrtle Liqueur.

The Gin Queen, Caroline Ashford wrote, "To have an Aussie distiller shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Desmond Payne (Plymouth Gin & Beefeater), Lesley Gracie (Hendricks) and Joanne Moore (Bloom Gin) is an inspiration to the whole Australian gin industry. Philip has quietly and humbly been working hard crafting his gins since 2007 and it's heartwarming to see him get the recognition he deserves."

Mr Moore's Distillery Botanica on New South Wales' Central Coast is currently having its three acres of gardens rejuvenated so that visitors can select fruits, roots and leaves to then distil their own gin.

Distillery Botanica, 25 Portsmouth Road, Erina, NSW, 2250. Open Wednesdays-Sundays: 11.00am-4.00pm