A new boutique gin distillery has set up shop in Melbourne’s hip suburb of Brunswick.
Launched by friends and co-founders Matt Argus and Dave Irwin, the duo decided to leave the corporate world for the spirits industry, following their love of all things local, craft and gin and inspired the global success of small Australian brewers and distillers.
Matt and Dave came up with the idea over a drink in their local bar and spent the next three years learning the art of making gin and consulting with experts in the field.
Among them and from the Melbourne trade were Seb Costello of Bad Frankie, Trish Brew of Gin Palace and Nick Selvadurai of The Ugly Duckling, who gave feedback during the developmental stage based on what they see their customers drinking and the styles of gin they would like to mix with.
Matt and Dave also sent samples to Anders Bilgram, well-known Master Distiller and founder of Nordisk Branderi Gin and distillery in Denmark and waited for two weeks for them to arrive and discuss his thoughts over the phone.
Anders also provided insights on the 230L Muller copper still they commissioned and had made in Germany, which is now one of only two in Australia.
“Our goal from the outset was to create a unique gin that we would love to drink ourselves, but one that was also right up there with the very best not just in Australia, but on a world stage,” Matt explained. “That’s why we also reached out to some of the best in the business.”
The result is a gin that puts a modern spin on the classic London dry style, made from a combination of native and exotic ingredients. Botanicals include ruby grapefruit, navel oranges, native aniseed myrtle and tonka beans from South America.
While pushing new world flavours, juniper remains at the backbone of Patient Wolf to maintain its identity with consumers and ensure it stands up when mixed with tonic or in a martini or negroni.
Matt explained, “The trade kept telling us not to lose that juniper profile. Gin’s got juniper in it for a reason. So we worked hard to create the balance between juniper and new world flavours.”
Matt and Dave work across the entire business, from distilling to bottling and labelling, and even marketing. Every batch of gin is handmade and is relatively small, producing only 200 bottles at a time.
As for the name, it refers to both the famous quote made by Lana Turner during prohibition and the distillery’s belief that well-crafted products take time.
Each bottles retails for $80.00 and features the batch number and distillation date.
Trade can place orders with Paramount Liquor.
Image: Dave Irwin (left) and Matt Argus (right)
Credit: Leigh Eardley
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