Last night in London (19 October 2023), Four Pillars was named International Gin Producer of the Year for the third time at the 2023 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC).
It is the first time any gin producer, let alone an Australian distillery, has won this award three times, with Four Pillars receiving the same accolade back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.
The IWSC is the world’s longest-running, largest and most prestigious spirits competition with more than 4000 entries from distilleries across the globe in 2023.
Co-Founder and Distiller Cameron Mackenzie was on hand to accept the award, that firmly cements Four Pillars (and the wider Australian gin community) at the very pinnacle of gin worldwide. Australia’s Kangaroo Island Spirits and Sweden’s Herno Gin were the other two distilleries on the final shortlist.
“Back in 2013, we set out with the ambition to make world-class gin, so to win this award three times is simply mind-blowing. I kind of knew we had a chance when two of our gins scored 98 points* (out of 100) but kept it on the lowdown until last week when I dusted off the kilt!
“It’s a massive thrill for our team back at home and for the Australian spirits industry overall, and even sweeter that Four Pillars celebrates 10 years of making gin this December.
“Cheers also goes to our friends at Kangaroo Island and Herno who have also been consistently shortlisted and awarded.
“I can’t wait to get home to share the spoils with all our mates in Healesville and frankly right across Australia all summer.”
At the same awards in 2022, Four Pillars was presented with the inaugural Green Spirit Initiative Award that recognises work and concerted efforts to improve environmental credentials.
In March 2022, Four Pillars became Australia’s first certified Carbon Neutral gin distilling business with both the new distillery itself and all the gins bottled on the premises certified Carbon Neutral by Climate Active. The Yarra-based distillery has been newly expanded and reimagined to minimise waste, save energy, and tread more lightly on the planet.
Christelle Guibert, CEO of the IWSC said, “We are delighted to see Four Pillars take home our International Gin Producer Trophy for a third time. Our judges were greatly impressed by the sheer work the brand has taken on, as well as the medal-winning gins they are creating.
“The commitment to their sustainability efforts did not go unnoticed when they were awarded our inaugural Green Spirit Initiative Trophy last year, and this year was no different, our judges were unanimous in their vote for Four Pillars as the worthy winner of this year’s IWSC
International Gin Producer Trophy. The brand’s success in the IWSC sees no sign of slowing down!”
In December 2023, Four Pillars will celebrate a decade of Australian gin-making and tonight in London at Mansion House (20 October), Cameron Mackenzie and Senior Distiller Sarah Prowse will be inducted into London’s prestigious Gin Guild.
*Four Pillars Bloody Underhill Vineyard Shiraz Gin 2022 and Single Barrel S36 Gin were both awarded 98 Points at the 2023 IWSC.
About Four Pillars Gin
Four Pillars Gin was established in 2013 in the Yarra Valley on the outskirts of Melbourne and has become one of the world’s benchmark distilleries and Australia’s number one craft spirit.
Four Pillars was awarded International Gin Producer of the Year in 2019 and 2020 by the IWSC. In 2022, Four Pillars achieved carbon neutral status and was awarded the inaugural Greens Spirit Initiative Trophy by the IWSC in 2022 for its sustainability efforts. At the 2023 Icons of Gin Awards Four Pillars was awarded Sustainable Distillery of the Year, Visitor Attraction of the Year and Co-Founder Cameron Mackenzie was awarded Master Distiller of the Year. Four Pillars range of gins have won more than 100 gold medals and dozens of trophies at the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions.
Four Pillars makes a range of gins headlined by the original Rare Dry Gin, alongside Fresh Yuzu Gin, Olive Leaf Gin, Spiced Negroni Gin, the cult favourite Bloody Shiraz Gin and the world’s most-awarded Navy Strength Gin. Four Pillars’ home remains Healesville in the Yarra Valley and it operates a world-class Laboratory and Eileen’s cocktail bar, in Sydney’s Surry Hills. Four Pillars also produces a range of Australia’s No.1 selling Ready-to-Drink gin and mixer cans and two Alcohol-free variants.
Four Pillars is available in more than 25 markets globally as well as having a significant presence in Global Travel Retail and the Duty Free sector.
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