Episode 40 - Legacy

Today the Still Magic podcast heads to the Australian state of Victoria to visit Four Pillars Gin, home of world class award-winning gins, internationally acclaimed collaborations and the International Wine and Spirits Competition’s Best Global Gin business in 2019 and 2020.

With a pedigree like that, it’s great to see that Australia has a domestic and international craft spirits powerhouse without peer.

And it is here that I speak with Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cameron Mackenzie; father of 3 wonderful girls, loving husband, self-confessed kebab-loving larrikin and 1996 Atlanta Olympian.

Cameron’s story and that of Four Pillars, is another Hero’s Journey

Often referred to as ‘the one that makes the gin’ Cameron’s partnership with Stuart Gregor – ‘the one that makes the noise’ – was forged in the wine industry by happenstance. Cameron loved the physical work that his wine-making career demanded. However, his leaders were concerned that without change, the physicality of the role would impact training for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. A few days a week in a marketing role with Stuart Gregor would be just the balance required. And the rest, as they say is history, and with it, an idea that would ultimately become history in the making.

Cameron found himself on a successful career path in wine. But it took him away from the physical side of the industry, the part he loved. Then one day, it was time for a change; the pursuit for an Australian tonic was on. Or so they thought. After taking a good hard look at themselves, followed by a fateful 3am text message, tonic was off the table, but gin was most definitely on; one that reflected Australia, and its place in Asia. A research expedition to the US meant settling on a still from Carl GmbH, mentorship from Dr. Klaus Hagmann, a new found respect for lavender, and a clandestine ‘Breaking Bad’ style venture, using a glass still named Walter

A finer story would be hard to script. So grab yourself a gin and tonic, sit back and join Cameron Mackenzie and I on another craft spirits adventure.

00:33 Showreel –

03:25 Respect –

06:08 Making Gin, Noise and Sense –

10:58 Business success 101 –

11:49 Cash drivers –

12:38 Focus –

15:29 Fantastic distributor –

19:00 Craft with scale –

24:04 Breaking Bad and Sergeant Stu –

31:04 Rare Dry Gin –

34:09 Dr. Klaus Hagmann –

40:01 Bloody Shiraz –

49:09 Prolific high-quality NPD –

51:55 Olive Leaf Gin –

56:36 Expansion plans –

1:03:50 Community –

1:08:34 The ’96 Olympian –

1:13:38 Life influences 1: Stuart Gregor –

1:15:23 Life influences 2: Cathy Freeman –

1:17:04 ’96 Olympic pep talks –

1:21::01 Partnership with Lion –

1:29:18 Craft personified

1:32:38 10Sixty

1:35:32 5 tips for starters

Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Host: Marcel Thompson    

@stillmagicway [email protected]

Still Magic website

Four Pillars Gin website

Guest contributor: Cameron MacKenzie

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. 

Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 39 - Guardianship

Today the Still Magic podcast heads to the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, to visit Reefton Distilling Co., home of Little Biddy Gin and Wild Rain Vodka

And it is here that we meet Beth Scott, born and raised in nearby Fox Glacier village (formerly Weheka, pop. 249), but now very much at home in the big smoke that is Reefton (pop. 927) "up north".

Beth took up the distilling reins after a very interesting career odyssey around the South Island, and a short stint overseas. A graduate in Food science and marketing from Otago University, Beth developed a professional interest in food quality, and new product development, coupled with interests in aromatherapy.

As is often the case, it was an unlikely set of circumstances that brought Beth full circle to Reefton. Beth had heard about an initiative to start a distillery in Reefton around 2017, and decided to invest in the venture. Nick Secker, a fellow university graduate and local, was plucked from relative obscurity in the UK, had the best distilling induction ever, and was then offered the distilling role in the fledgling company. Nick invited Beth and a few other friends to visit Reefton, and magic unfolded after Beth’s discussion with CEO and founder Patsy Bass. Serendipity writ large yet again.

Experience in food science. New product development. Aromatherapy. Marketing. Energy. Enthusiasm. And a strong sense of guardianship.

A finer array of skills, tailor-made for a craft spirits operation would be hard to find.

And the rest as they say is history… that is, history in the making.

So grab yourself a gin and tonic, sit back and join Beth Scott and I on another craft spirits adventure.

Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Host: Marcel Thompson    

@stillmagicway [email protected]

Still Magic website

Reefton Distilling Co. website

Guest contributor: Beth Scott

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. 

Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 38 - Guardianship & Legacy

This podcast describes an epic call to adventure; an absolute must-listen for anyone considering a future in craft spirits.

Patsy Bass is the founder and CEO of Reefton Distilling Co. located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, in Patsy's hometown of Reefton, population ~ 1,000 ... on a good day. 

Despite a family move to Christchurch, in efforts to take on opportunities there, one thing was truly clear to Patsy from the age of 16; you can never take Reefton out of the lass. After all, Reefton is her turangawaewae, a place to stand.

Patsy's formative years and a successful project delivery career were anchored in Christchurch, but the unfulfilled yearning for Reefton – one shared with her siblings – never wavered. The question then became how do I return home?

Patsy and her husband Shane Thrower found themselves planning and considering a few business ideas to support their return. These included ventures with gold, mountain biking and as a bit of a throw-away giggle, a distillery. And this, from a tee-totaller born on a former brewery site.

The word “serendipity” is often used to describe how a chance meeting can influence one’s journey through life. And so it was for Patsy, via a casual chat with local legends Steffan and Nigel MacKay on Broadway, Reefton’s main street.

This prompted Patsy to forgo all ideas in favour of a distillery and crafting a business case. An effusive business case review from a long-term mentor led to Patsy taking a flight to Auckland, New Zealand’s most populous city.

A meeting with some interested parties took place and Patsy received directions that would change her life, her family’s life and the lives of an entire town.

Think Bigger

The impact was so profound, the long-time tee-totaller felt compelled to have a tipple. And the rest, as you will see, is history. That is, history in the making.

Reefton Distilling Co. are noted for their award-winning gin range, inspired by mining legend Bridget Goodwin – aka Little Biddy – and Wild Rain Vodka inspired by rain that falls at night. There are plans for a whiskey too, one that pays homage to another local legend, George Fairweather Moonlight.

Join me and meet the most fabulous Patsy Bass, a craft spirits leader with an unrivalled sense of purpose, and a 100-year vision to revitalise a town at a pace and scale unseen in decades.

Patsy epitomises the Still Magic ethos superbly thus:

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Create your spirits narrative

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Additional Podcast Reference Links

Reefton Distilling Co. website

Little Biddy Gin website

Instagram

Facebook

Host: Marcel Thompson    

@stillmagicway

Still Magic website

[email protected]

Guest contributor: Patsy Bass

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. 

Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 37 – Guardianship

Today the Still Magic podcast ventures to South Australia for a chat with Marcelle McEwan and Greg Nunan from SA Distilling; creators of Heaps Good Gin

Their partnership in life and business is a classic example of complementary skills and playing to one’s strengths.

Who knew that years as a chef and debt recovery, coupled with a skillset in digital marketing could manifest itself as a foray into craft distilling?

Proof positive that today’s craft spirits makers can take confidence in the fact that skills garnered from parenthood and working lives, provide an excellent grounding for a new adventure.

00:00 – Welcome –

00:34 – Show reel –

03:35 – Marcelle the cook –

04:33 – Greg the sous chef –

07:12 – Greg the digital marketer –

13:07 – South Australia’s craft spirits community –

17:44 – A leap of faith hatched during COVID –

23:30 – The power of partnerships –

26:08 – Paying it forward –

30:27 – Partnership models –

38:43 – A long and distinguished to do list –

40:56 – Supporting local –

47:06 – Broad education is a must –

53:47 – Marcelle and Greg’s 5 tips –

1:00:36 – 10Sixty

 Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Additional Podcast Reference Links

Heaps Good Gin website

Heaps Good Gin on Instagram

Heaps Good Gin contact

Prohibition Liquor Co

Host: Marcel Thompson    

@stillmagicway [email protected]

Guest contributor: Marcelle MacEwan & Greg Noonan

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. 

Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 36 – Guardianship

Today we visit the Alembics Workshop and Apothecary located on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, situated in Tamaki Makarau rau (Auckland), Aotearoa / New Zealand to speak with founder Jill Mulvaney.

Easily of one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had to date

Jill’s passion for plants and their natural characteristics has been a lifelong adventure, starting with her, the perfect springboard into distilling hydrosols and alcohol based extracts.         

Her approach to sensory description is earthy and colourful, delivered with a refreshing no-nonsense sense of practicality.

“Because of the really visceral nature of life, it's not all about roses and flowers, is it?” Or banana cake as you will soon learn.

Jill speaks about her craft, the botacnical cocktail, services she has provided to distilling enthusiasts for over a decade, the great partnerships she has with the folks that create her still and exciting plans for the future.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy my chat with one of Aotearoa’s finest; the incomparable Jill Mulvaney

00:00 - Welcome -

00:43 – Show reel -

04:10 – Jill has got lots of stuff –

08:18 – The experiential learning process –

19:00 – Hydrosols and their history –

23:00 – Alembics NZ’s sustainability ethos –

26:00 – Quintessences and their value –

29:30 – Expectations for zero ABV drinks –

33:00 – The nose has it –

37:18 – Unwinding and The Third Space –

45:00 – Reflux stills are on the way! –

57:33 – Jill’s 10 Sixty

 Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Additional Podcast Reference Links

Alembics Workshop and Apothecary website

Jill Mulvaney.contact

The Third Space, by Dr Adam Fraser: YouTube Preview

Alchemy Tonic

Host: Marcel Thompson    

@stillmagicway [email protected]

Guest contributor: Jill Mulvaney

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. 

Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 35 – Legacy

Today we visit 1919 Distilling located in Tamaki Makarau rau, Aotearoa / New Zealand to speak with founder Soren Crabb

Soren’s early career comprised a navigator’s role with a cruise ship company, rotating 3 months on, 3 months off.

After an uneventful visit to Colorado during some well-earned leave, Soren encountered the notion of craft spirits for the first time. During the corresponding break a year later, Soren discovered that the number of distilleries, of all shapes and sizes, had ballooned from 3 to 33

With his interest piqued, and armed with a renewed sense of purpose, Soren took the decision to leave his job of 10 years, return to NZ, and embark on the epic adventure; craft spirits making.

He’s still very much a navigator at heart, plotting his course, looking ahead, at times going against the current, but always with a steady hand on the tiller.

4 years in, and the best is yet to come for one of Aotearoa's finest

Sit back, relax, and enjoy Soren describing his story and the 1919 Distilling narrative.

0:00 - Welcome -

0:42 – Show reel -

03:22 – Distillery visits are go -

10:00 – Selling the world’s smallest batch -

14:27 – Research and Development -

17:36 – Soren’s view of the 3 cash drivers -

19:47 – Darkest hour; NZ has shut down -

23:05 – Branding challenges and Distribution -

29:20 – 4 years in, biggest challenge -

34:32 – The Kiwiana range -

41:10 – Future plans -

44:36 – Plotting against the COVID tide

46:48 – Soren’s 5 tips

53:36 – Glamorous? Yeah …right…

55:07 – 10Sixty and closing remarks

 Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Additional Podcast Reference Links

1919 Distilling website

Soren Crabb contact

Host: Marcel Thompson    

@stillmagicway [email protected]

Guest contributor: Soren Crabb

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. 

Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 34 – Legacy

In today’s episode with my special guest Glenn McPhee – co-founder of the The Gin Boutique – we consider 2 superb gins from Aotearoa / New Zealand

 Black Robin Gin @ 43.0% from Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island)

Scapegrace Classic @ 42.2% from Te Waipounamu (the South Island)

Here’s what’s in store for today's episode

• 00:31 – Episode show reel -
• 01:42 – Glenn and Marcel catch up -
• 04:10 – Background story: Black Robin Gin -
• 09:09 – Background story: Scapegrace Classic Gin -
• 12:51 – Gins neat -
• 18:33 – Gins with tonic -
• 27:33 – Martinis -
• 36:18 – Southsides -
• 43:35 – Closing remarks -

Each has contrasting delivery styles, complexity and differing spirit bases, expressing their respective makers' intent. Yet more ways to deliver delicious across the 4 formats.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Phil Clark and Mark Neill for your contributions to this episode of What Makes a Great Gin, and to you the audience for your continued support. 

With fans as far afield as Norway, Anguilla and Peru, the Still Magic spirit is very much alive and well.

Be bold. Enjoy yourself.

Let’s creative a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Black Robin Gin website

Scapegrace Classic website

Host: Marcel Thompson    @stillmagicway [email protected]

Guest contributor: Glenn McPhee

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 33 – Guardianship

Today we visit Little Juniper Distilling in the Australian state of South Australia, to speak with founder Stuart Mackenzie

Stuart’s plan and passion for creating a distillery had been a long-term goal, one that remained latent for some time

Given Stuart’s successful career spanning the computer game industry, visual effects for Hollywood movies, marketing, advertising, and web design, this was an offbeat counterpoint in many ways.

And yet, as you will discover today, there was a sense of inevitability that a change was brewing. The first trigger was establishing an independent design business, but it was Stuart’s response to COVID-19 that catalysed his focus on sustainability and Little Juniper.

·      06:40 The Business Plan

·      10:42 It’s all about gin

·      12:15 That’s a garage?

·      16:37 The Little Juniper name

·      20:00 Little Juniper Gin’s story

·      25:56 The scalability challenge

·      30:52 COVID insights

·      38:45 Safety

·      42:44 Glamorous?

·      45:41 Prioritisation

·      51:15 The future

·      57:02 5 Tips

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Little Juniper story

Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies

available from your favourite online stores

Additional Podcast Reference Links

Contact Stuart Mackenzie

Little Juniper Distilling website

Ambleside Distillers website

Host: Marcel Thompson    @stillmagicway [email protected]

Guest contributor: Stuart MacKenzie

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes. Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 32 – Heritage

Today we visit the mouth of the Devil’s Wilderness in the Australian state of New South Wales. And it is here that we can find Karu Distillery, the home of Affinity Gin (44%) and Lightning Gin (57.5%).

Karu is a name steeped in heritage, and one that captures the spirit of its founders superbly.  The story of Affinity's launch date seals this connection as well.

Ally and Nick provide an engaging and thoughtful commentary of how they both went ‘all in’ to start their distillery.

Nick was working 90-hour weeks in the motion picture industry; Ally had a role that wasn’t quite where her heart yearned to be.

The lockdown laws that punctuated Sydney’s nightlife in 2016, catalysed their interest to share spirits with friends in their own bar. 

And then a realisation; why don’t we make spirits ourselves ?

What follows is a remarkable story of industry, desire, and international accolades for their first two products at the highest level.  Ally devotes quality time to innovative product ideas, which keep their business vibrant and relevant

Rum is the next product in the offing. Their stills - Ding and Calcifer - will have more adventures to share in good time, before their whiskey adventure begins.

And all of this against a backdrop of drought, bushfires, floods, a pandemic; and some of Australia’s deadliest fauna underfoot as well. Just for good measure.

Sit back, relax and learn how to #findyoursugar with Ally and Nick.

Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies

available from your favourite online stores

Additional Podcast Reference Links

Karu Distillery Shop

Host: Marcel Thompson    @stillmagicway [email protected]

Guest contributors: Ally Ayres, Nick Ayres

Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

Contact here Jules Brooke

Editor: Dave Stokes.  Contact here Author2Audio

All Rights Reserved

Episode 31 – Guardianship

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast your one-click audio stop for all things gin. Be it gin making, gin producing, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin, drinking gin, steeping, and everything else in between.

In today’s episode with my special guest Glenn McPhee – co-founder of the The Gin Boutique – we consider 3 more superb products.

One is a classic gin whose lineage predates several British powerhouse brands.

The other two gins are at ‘crossroads’: contemporary expressions but paying homage to traditional styles. In musical terms, this reminds me of a young guitarist named Eric Clapton, responding to a clarion call from legendary bluesman Robert Johnson.

Xoriguer Mahon @ 38% from Menorca, Spain

Triple Juniper @ 43% from The Never Never Distlling Co, South Australia

Affinity Gin @ 44% from Karu Distillery, New South Wales

Here’s what in store for today's episode

• 01:01 – Background story: Xoriguer Mahon Gin
• 05:00 – Background story: Triple Juniper Gin
• 08:52 – Background story: Affinity Gin
• 12:51 – Gins neat
• 21:59 – Gins with tonic
• 33:03 – Martinis
• 47:14 – Southsides

Each has contrasting delivery styles that clearly express their respective makers' intent. In short, delivering “delicious" in so many ways.

And the way they express this joy for life in these contemporary products, is proof positive that gin’s relevance and vibrancy is in good hands

Our heartfelt thanks go to Jana from Xoriguer Export, Sean Baxter from Never Never Distilling Co, and to Nick and Ally Ayres from Karu Distillery for your contributions to this episode of What Makes a Great Gin.

The best is yet to come so jump in, belt up and hang on.

Be bold. Enjoy yourself.

Let’s creative a new gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

Host: Marcel Thompson    @stillmagicway 

Gin Boutique gin links here:

Xoriguer Mahon - Triple Juniper - Affinity Gin

Guest contributor: Glenn McPhee        

Contact the Gin Boutique

Voiceovers: @antipodeanharpie

Editor: @alexiepigot. 

Click to book Alexie here         

Alexie’s Website