Four Pillars has, in a remarkably short time, become the definitive Australian gin. Founded in 2013 by Cameron Mackenzie, Matt Jones, and Stuart Gregor in the Yarra Valley outside Melbourne, the distillery has won more international awards than any other Australian spirits producer and has almost single-handedly put Australian gin on the global map. Their Rare Dry — the flagship expression — is the gin that started it all.
What sets Four Pillars apart from the outset is its use of whole fresh oranges, sliced and placed directly into the pot still alongside the other botanicals. Most gins use dried orange peel; Four Pillars uses entire fruit, and the difference is significant — the fresh orange contributes a juicy, vivid citrus character that dried peel simply cannot replicate. Alongside the oranges, the botanical bill includes Tasmanian pepperberry, lemon myrtle, and star anise — native Australian ingredients that give the gin its distinctive national character.
On the Nose
The nose is immediately generous and sun-drenched. Fresh orange dominates — not the bitter peel of a London Dry but the bright, sweet-tart aroma of freshly cut fruit. Juniper provides a firm herbal counterpoint, and the lemon myrtle adds a citrus note that is more intense and more complex than standard lemon peel — almost eucalyptus-like. There is a subtle warmth from the Tasmanian pepperberry and a gentle anise quality from the star anise that adds depth. The overall impression is of standing in an Australian orchard on a warm morning — vivid, natural, and thoroughly inviting.
The Palate
The palate delivers on the nose's promises with impressive depth. The fresh orange is immediately apparent — juicy, bright, and authentic. But the juniper asserts itself firmly on the mid-palate, providing the structural backbone that separates this from a flavoured gin and places it squarely in the contemporary category. The Tasmanian pepperberry adds a unique spice note — it starts warm and finishes with a numbing tingle that is distinctly different from black pepper. The lemon myrtle provides an almost mentholated freshness, and the star anise sweetens and deepens the finish.
At 41.8% ABV, the mouthfeel is medium-bodied and smooth, with the fresh orange contributing a subtle juiciness to the texture that is unique to this gin.
The Finish
The finish is medium-long and evolving. The fresh orange fades first, giving way to a persistent Tasmanian pepperberry tingle and a lingering juniper dryness. The star anise provides a final sweet-savoury note that is more fennel than liquorice. It is a finish that feels complete — every element has its moment, and nothing is missing.
Serving
In a gin and tonic with Indian tonic and a wheel of fresh orange, Four Pillars Rare Dry is spectacular. The fresh orange in the gin harmonises with the fresh orange garnish, creating a G&T of exceptional vibrancy. In a Martini, the gin's contemporary character creates something less austere than a London Dry version — a Martini with warmth and generosity. And in a Negroni, the fresh citrus notes add a brightness that lifts the drink's typically heavy profile.
Four Pillars Rare Dry is that rare gin which is both distinctly local and universally excellent. It could not have been made anywhere other than Australia — the native botanicals and fresh oranges ensure that — and yet it transcends its origins to compete with the finest gins made anywhere in the world. That combination of identity and quality is what great gin should aspire to.
