Glen Ewin Estate has branched out from the grapevine and unofficially launched a new gin at Cellar Door Fest. All 400 bottles of the delicious small-batch gin completely sold out over the three day weekend and there has already been offers flooding in from international distributors in New York, London and New Zealand.
If you had the chance to try it, experience it, fall in love with it and are now wondering how you can get your hands on a bottle – you’re not alone. Glam Adelaide caught up with Willa Wauchope, the head of Willabrand Figs to find out how the collaboration between Glen Ewin and Applewood Distillery started and more importantly, when we can expect to see the next batch.
The gin has a lovely golden-amber colour and was far fruitier and smoother than we could have imagined. Wauchope describes the aroma has having strong juniper berry elements on the nose, particular when the bottle is first opened with subtle hints of botanicals peeking through. However, it’s upon tasting that the sweet warmth of the figs eases its way onto the palate. He explains that the alcohol content is only 29% which allows the fig flavour room to properly infuse through the spirit, which then has the added benefit of allowing it to be best served on ice.
Willa explains the delightfully unexpected way this venture came about. In 2011 Wauchope bought two stills from the Riverland, with the view of making some kind of distilled spirit down the line. Although he hadn’t fleshed out an idea, it was in fact, whisky, which was a consideration. (One is being set aside to become a solar powered still, down the line.)
Fast forward to 2016, and Wauchope found himself with leftover fig infused syrup from making the delectable Willabrand glace figs. At a loss at what to do with the sweet, aromatic byproduct, he turned to the talented distillers from Adelaide Hills based Applewood Gin and after a few trials with one of the stills, the two institutions created this glorious concoction.
After a successful trial batch of around 30 bottles in 2016, they only embarked on the most recent sell-out batch, which was a clear hit. To say Wauchope was delighted would be an understatement, “the response has been phenomenal”, he remarks.
Wauchope suggests two ways to enjoy the drink. The first, is as suggested on ice, but with lime. The second is with the Mediterranean tonic produced by Fever Tree, as there is less of a quinine flavour. This will allow the flavours to come through. He suggests serving this with dry figs (of course), where available.
Willabrand Figs have been a favourite fruit of choice for many local fans of the flavourful historic delicacy, with its soft skin and moist, luscious flesh. Glen Ewin are in the midst of their famous fig season. You can go fig picking at Glen Ewin until the 31st March. They’re open 9am-3pm, 7 days a week and it’s great fun. They also have an outdoor bar which just ticks yet another box for us.
When pressed on an official launch date, Wauchope remains coy, only to say the product will be launched at a prominent food and wine event, sometime in the near future. Fear not, gin lovers, for the product is available for tasting and purchase at Willabrand and while the last batch sold out, there will be another available, touch wood (or Applewood) in a few days.
We highly recommend making your way up to the Fig Bar at the Willabrand Figs orchard and after picking a handful of your own fruit to take home, sampling some of the gin – both on ice and with tonic. With the fantastic reception the drink has already received we dare say, you’ll want to take a few bottles back with you.
Glen Ewin Estate are located at 43 Lower Hermitage Road, Houghton SA. You can be first in the know by following the guys on Facebook and Instagram.
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