Adelaide Gin makers Never Never Distilling Co. has once again been recognised on the national stage, with head distiller Tim Boast being named Australian Distiller of the Year at the Drinks 100 Australia Awards for the second year in a row.
Never Never is no stranger to awards, with the company winning countless trophies since its inception, including the Most Innovative Spirit and Global Distiller of the Year award in London last year.
Born in 2016 in an Adelaide shed, Never Never was founded by friends George Georgiadis, Tim Boast and Sean Baxter. Unable to find a gin on the market that matched their combined taste, they decided to make one instead.
“We can’t find the thing that we love, so we’ll start making the thing that we love,” Tim told Glam Adelaide.
A decade on, the team’s DIY instinct has turned into a nationally recognised distillery. However, Tim was quick to frame the win as a team effort.
“We’re really lucky in the staff that we have across not just hospitality, but marketing, sales, our commercial team, production and the distillery itself,” he said.
And with 10 years under their belt honing their craft, the science behind the bottles is key to setting them apart, Tim added.
“What we’ve learned over the last 10 years is the impact a textural botanical can have on a product”.
Alongside distilled oils, the team uses slightly alkaline water and carbon filtering to round out what Tim describes as a more “pleasurable” drinking experience.
“They don’t provide flavour, but they provide texture,” he said.
“It just goes down easily and doesn’t have that ethanol burn. Ultimately, it’s a smoother, more enjoyable drink.”
Tim was unwell on the night of the awards, but co-founder Sean stepped in to accept the honour on his behalf.
“I see this award as recognition of an enormous team effort over the past 12 months,” he said. “We would not win something like this on the quality of our liquid alone, exceptional as it is.”
And beyond the trophy, he said it speaks to something bigger.
“We’re incredibly proud of Tim, and equally proud of every person who has played a part in this achievement.”
Never Never Distilling
Where: 56 Field St, McLaren Vale SA 5171
For more information, click here.
