When visiting Sydney, there are several notable distilleries worth exploring, each offering unique experiences and products. These establishments showcase the city's vibrant craft spirit scene while highlighting exceptional locally sourced ingredients. In Rosebery, Archie Rose Distilling Co. stands out as the first independent distillery to operate in Sydney since 1853. With a sophisticated bar, visitors can sample award-winning gins, vodkas, rums, and white whiskies through tasting flights or handcrafted cocktails. Guided tours provide an inside look at the production process, and blending classes allow aspiring mixologists to create their custom gin and whisky blends.
For rum enthusiasts, Brix Distillers in Surry Hills offers an immersive experience. As a fully operational distillery and aging facility, Brix produces a core range of white, gold, and spiced rums, along with an impressive collection of over 150 global rums. Visitors can participate in tours, cocktail classes, and rum spicing classes amidst the distillery's beautifully designed bar. On the northern side of Sydney Harbour, Manly Spirits captures the essence of coastal living. Their product line includes Australian gins, botanical vodkas, and whiskies infused with marine-inspired ingredients such as sea lettuce, kelp, lemon myrtle, and wattle pollen. A tasting room and cocktail bar invite guests to savor their creations, while tours and cocktail making masterclasses provide educational opportunities.
Marrickville's Poor Toms Gin Hall focuses on unconventional spirits, producing small-batch gins that frequently sell out. Their selection includes the Original Sydney Dry Gin, Fool Strength gin, and Strawberry Gin. Drop-in visits for tastings and cocktails are welcome from Thursday to Sunday. Lastly, Four Pillars Laboratory operates a small-batch distillery and Gin Lab in Surry Hills. Known for their Bloody Shiraz Gin, Four Pillars invites patrons to attend masterclasses or simply enjoy gin and tonics at Eileen's Bar, named after their resident still. These distilleries contribute significantly to Sydney's growing reputation as a premier destination for craft spirits, providing memorable experiences for both locals and tourists alike.