MGC The Melbourne Gin Company

As one of Australia's first gin distilleries during the resurgence of the spirit in recent years, Melbourne Gin Company has remained steadfast as one of the country's premier brands. Whilst keeping an understated profile, production still occurs in the back shed of Andrew Mark's Gembrook Hill (see separate entry) winery. MGC has never been an overly boastful distillery, simply quietly toiling away and creating delicious products. The magic behind MGC comes from its still and Andrew's mastery of extracting flavours with it. By operating a perfume still, rather than conventional spirit stills, they can pull extremely delicate, nuanced flavours, which allow for incredible attention to detail when making the spirit. The use of traditional perfume stills over a spirit still is not unheard of. However, it is a more common method in select French gins than many others. MGC's recognition comes not from growth or expansion but from its consistency and commitment to producing excellent products. Andrew doesn't frequently release new editions of gins; it took years for the distillery to even release a second product. However, when new gins or products are released, they're made with careful consideration, and typically made for a purpose. Releases often coincide with celebrations or anniversaries of iconic Melbourne hospitality companies or city-wide festivals, which connect the brand to something greater than itself, the Melbourne community.

-JESS CLAYFIELD