How Australia’s Deluxe Hotel of the Year Has Started Making Its Own Gin

Written by Shylie Rimmer

We’re sniffing our palms to find crisp scents of lemon and lime. Anthony Tran, Head Sommelier at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley has told us to dab a small amount of this craft gin in the palms of our hands and rub them together.

“It’s a fantastic way to get the aromatic section of gin,” explains Anthony as he demonstrates this nifty tip that is evidently new to us all.

Released in early December 2018, the 200-bottle batch of 1832 Wolgan Gin showcases yet another unique initiative that the resort has spearheaded to showcase their deep connection to and love for their natural surrounds.

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“The ingredients that are in [1832 Wolgan Gin] come from the land,” explains Anna Guillan, Regional Director, Sales & Marketing Australia and New Zealand at Kerzner International – a company that develops and manages luxury resorts worldwide.

“It’s created and curated by nature,” she says, as we sip this London Dry-style gin neat in hopes of evoking the herbaceous and spicy flavour profile that Tran has described. The first pungent aromas that arise are lemon-scented tea tree and finger lime – two of the seven native botanicals that were hand-picked from the 7,000-acre property to showcase the very best of the region’s natural flavours. It’s as if you’re truly tasting the smell of flowers.

James Wyndham, General Manager of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, is oozing excitement for the newly-found product that has been a year in the making. “We are using the water from the valley—from Carne Creek. We are then foraging within the valley as well and flavouring the gin with a lemon-scented tea tree. On top of that, we are using a local distiller.” It’s fascinating to discover that all the ingredients that have come together to craft this delicious drop were sourced from the valley of its origin, from the slice of land nestled in a valley of New South Wales’ Greater Blue Mountains region where we are currently standing.

Wyndham beams as he explains the three-way partnership with Mikey Enright, owner of leading gin bar The Barber Shop in Sydney and Ian Glen, local distiller at the historical Stone Pine Distillery in Bathurst. It truly is a local creation.

So where did the name come from? Guillan explains that “the history of this place dates back to 1832. There’s an old settler’s cottage just beyond the villas and it’s called 1832. We thought that was a wonderful way to bring history to life.”

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If you’re a gin fan, you’ll be happy to know that both Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley and The Barber Shop in Sydney’s CBD will be serving up three bespoke cocktails with 1832 Wolgan Gin. Alongside a classic gin & tonic and a gin martini, Enright has created The One&Only: a refreshing mix of St Germain Elderflower, yuzu, French oak tincture, egg whites, sugar and of course 1832 Wolgan Gin.

They craft their own gin, bottle their own water, are in the process of eliminating all plastic and by 2023 aim to have zero waste to landfill. Is there anything this ultra-luxury resort doesn’t do?

Want to experience quintessential Australian luxury? Check out our exclusive deal for Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.