Who knew that perfumery and distilling gin could be similar? Ben from the Archie Rose Distillery, right in the middle of Sydney, takes us on a fragrant (alcoholic) journey. 

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Archie Rose in Roseberry

We met at the fabulous bar in Roseberry for a pre tour drink. The drinks menu is so big it’s like a little book. The bar serves the gin, vodka, white rye (and soon whiskey) that they distill on site, with some charcuterie plates provided by Black Star pastry next door.

Archie Rise bar – pic taken from website Best International Bar – International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards (London)

Our tour guide Ben managed to cram the entire history of alcohol into our tour while cracking jokes and serving us tastes of the really strong stuff straight from the copper still.

Ben in black on the left, entertaining us with his witty quips and extensive knowledge and passion

Ben likened the blending of gin and the individual distillates to perfumery. I had already seen the signs when I first walked in to the distillery. What really peaked my interest, was the wall of glass measuring equipment housing single botanical distillates. Ooooooooooo …… glass beakers and botanicals!!!

single botanical distillates

How excited was I to see juniper, blood lime, orange and Dorrigo pepper all lined up? 

Very, very excited!

The full rack of single botanical distillates for the gin

All these single botanicals are blended to make the gins –

Signature Dry Gin -“fourteen traditional and native botanicals, each uniquely infused and individually distilled in our copper pot still. Perfectly balanced and wonderfully complex, our Signature Dry Gin is accented by native Australian botanicals, including Blood Lime, Dorrigo Pepperleaf, Lemon Myrtle and River Mint. All underpinned with pronounced juniper berry.

This gin is smooth and soft with the beauty of juniper powering through.

cassia, liquorice and ginger – a perfumer’s delight!

 Cassia liquorice and ginger take their place in the lineup!

Distiller’s Strength Gin – An overproof gin, packed with fifteen individually distilled             botanicals, including fresh pears from Orange in NSW, rose petals, elderflower,                       pronounced juniper and distilled honey direct from our rooftop beehives.                                 Distinguished, complex and intense, with a higher ABV, Archie Rose Distiller’s                         Strength is for those who love bigger, bolder flavours.

This beautiful fragrant gin blew my mind. Floral and sweet and bold all                   at the same time. Could I actually wear this as a perfume?

lemon myrtle, apple and river mint

Lemon myrtle, apple and river mint ….

Limited Edition – Archie Rose x Horisumi

Autumn “In collaboration with acclaimed tattoo artist, Horisumi, Horisumi Autumn is the first in a series of four rare gins, which celebrate the uniqueness of each Japanese season. Inspired by a mutual respect for  nature and the hand forged, Horisumi Autumn accentuates the spice-driven notes of red miso, sesame seed and sansho pepper, making for a complex, savoury gin. With an emphasis on deeper, earthy characteristics underpinned by spice, Horisumi Autumn offers gentle warmth as the evenings begin to cool.”

This gin is spicy and warm and I’m in awe of the blender – divine!

tasting trays with little amber bottles of water to add to the straight gin

And as a perfumer and aromatherapist I was so happy to see a little amber bottle with a dropper!

Hey guess what? You can be a perfumer and gin blender yourself with Archie Rose. Simply go to the website and either choose to have a Gin Blending Experience (a class on site) or just create your own gin on the website right here!

This distillery house is pure class. They respect the plants they are working with and their passion is infused in every cask, every bottle, and every drink.

Check out Archie Rose https://archierose.com.au/

This is not a sponsored post – I just loved everything about it!