Australia’s most highly-awarded gin producer, Never Never Distilling Co. have collaborated with Asia’s most exciting new bar ARGO to create a gin that elevates the martini to new heights, and will be available to Australian’s later this year.
ARGO at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, has been in development for two and a half years but has finally been able to open its doors to the public. Celebrating innovation across its entire cocktail and spirits list, Never Never’s newest Dark Series release ARGO Gin sits proudly as the bar’s house martini and is a marvel of traditional distillation methodology and modern technique.
“When Lorenzo first approached us about innovating the martini it was both exciting and a little terrifying,” says Never Never Distilling Co. Brand Director Sean Baxter.
“I mean, all we had to do was just make the perfect martini gin for Asia’s most anticipated bar opening, innovating the process and creating a spirit that redefines the idea of the world’s most famous cocktail, sure, no worries, piece of cake,” Baxter says, tongue firmly in cheek.
Making the entire process more challenging was the fact that Australia’s borders were closed and the collaborative process would need to happen digitally over many months of back and forth spirit sampling.
After conversations with Lorenzo and the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong in-house tea sommelier, tea proved to be the ingredient that was not only the most diverse in flavour and profile but also deeply connected to Chinese way of life.
“We chose tea as a key botanical because the rituals associated with tea-brewing and service are similarly revered as the martini,” says Baxter.
“These flavours have been a part of Chinese history for thousands of years, what better flavour to communicate a modern twist on such a revered classic.”
“It is without doubt the most complex and innovative gin that we have made to date,” says Tim Boast, Never Never’s Head Distiller. “It truly embodies our focus on creating gins with flavour front of mind.”
It’s a sentiment shared by competition judges, cleaning up on the 2021 international award circuit winning a prestigious 95 points and gold medal at the International Wine and Spirit Awards as well as a gold medal at the Spirit Business Awards in London.
With rarity comes scarcity, and South Australian fans of Never Never will have to wait until later this year to get their hands on a bottle of ARGO Gin.
The Never Never team has some exciting plans for when it’s available in Australia, so keep an eye on their social media and subscribe to their mailing list here to be the first to know when you can try this incredible gin for yourself.
Venue Reopening
With the recent easing of restrictions, Never Never are excited announce the reopening of their distillery today. While maintaining a strict 1 person per 2 square meter density, all guests will need to remain seated for the duration of their visit and comply with all social distancing rules.
Bookings are highly recommended due to the capacity limits. Book your table through the Never Never website here.
You can find Never Never Distilling Co. at 56 Field St, McLaren Vale SA 5171.
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