Following its inaugural success in March, Sydney Gin Palooza is back this November along with the second season of the Australian Gin Awards 2019.
Established by Judith Kennedy AM who has successfully run the Australian & NZ Boutique Wine Awards and the Six Nations Wine Challenge for the past 20 years, Sydney Gin Palooza is a four-day celebration of Australian gin. Held at The Paddington Town Hall, the event has expanded to include five sessions for the public followed by one session exclusively for trade.
‘Meet the Maker’ Tasting Sessions
Sydney Gin Palooza is a unique opportunity to explore the diversity of gin and sample from a range of over 200 gins from a total of 37 Australian and 3 New Zealand Distilleries. Each gin will be served with ample ice, fresh garnishes and StrangeLove premium tonic. Bottles can also be purchased directly from any distiller at the Palooza.
Below is the list of participating exhibitors:
Australia – 23rd Street Distillery, 5Nines Distilling, The Abel Gin Co, Ambleside Distillers, Banks & Solander Distillery, Bass & Flinders Distillery, Bellarine Distillery, Bouchon Wines & Spirits, Brisbane Distillery, Cape Byron Distillery, Distillery Botanica, The Farmers Wife Distillery, Fossey’s Gin, Garden Grown Gin, The Gin Boutique, Giniversity, Hellfire Bluff, Hemp Gin Group, Here’s Looking at You Kid, Ironbark Distillery, Karu Distillery, Lawrenny Estate Distillery, LOBO Gin and Spirits, Manly Spirits Co. Distillery, Martin Distillation Company, Never Never Distilling Co, Prohibition Liquor Co, Saleyards Distillery, Settlers Spirits, Small Batch Distilling, Southern Wild Distillery, Strait Brands, Taylor and Smith Distilling Co, The Melbourne Gin Company, The West Winds Gin, Virginia Spirits.
New Zealand – Broken Heart Spirits, Lighthouse Gin, The National Gin Company.
This year’s theme is Gin & Tapas with food supplied by Belgrave Cartel (Spanish) , The Italian Job (Italian), Nelsons Nest (Middle-Eastern) Caruso Pasticeria (Desserts) and Delicious KiKi (Sweets). Food is not included in the ticket price and will come in two price points of $5 and $10 for gourmet sliders and mini food baskets including vegan and vegetarian options, cannoli and more. Schibello Coffee will be serving complimentary coffee and there will be Espresso Martini, Affogato and Nerotini on tap.
Sydney Gin Palooza ‘Meet the Maker’ Sessions:
- Friday 22 November 2019 – 5.30pm to 8pm
- Saturday 23 November 2019 – 1pm to 3.30pm; 5.00pm to 7.30pm
- Sunday 24 November 2019 – 1pm to 3.30pm; 5.00pm to 7.30pm
- Monday 25 November 2019 – Trade only session. Details to come.
Tickets start from $70 and are available through Eventbrite.
Sydney Gin Palooza Masterclasses
Four 90-minute masterclasses prior to each tasting session offer guests a chance to learn about the juniper spirit from the distillers.
Bill Lark – Australia’s Godfather of modern Craft Distilling and Chairman of the Australian Gin Awards will offer a little history of gin and will present the six trophy-winning gins to taste. StrangeLove premium tonic waters and canapés will be provided.
Sat 22 Nov 10.30am – 12.00pm $185 per person (includes entry to the next Palooza session)
Giniversity with Distiller Katie Lovis – This unique cocktail experience will allow you to mix and match flavours like a master distiller, blending botanical distillates before pairing your creation with the distillery’s house-made fruit shrub and finishing it off with your choice of dehydrated garnish. StrangeLove premium tonic waters and canapés will be provided.
Sat 22 Nov 10.30am – 12.00pm $140 per person; Sun 23 Nov 10.30am – 12.00pm $140 per person (includes entry to the next Palooza session)
High G&Tea with KARU Distillery – Join distillers Ally and Nick Ayres and learn the importance of juniper berries. Explore the percentages of alcohol in gin by tasting KARU Affinity Gin at 44% and 40% ABV. At the Karu High G&Tea Party, learn to use a premium cocktail infusion poured from an elegant glass tea pot and be spoilt with a delicious Affinity Gin Chocolate from Treat Dreams.
Sun 23 Nov 10.30am – 12.00pm $140 per person (includes entry to the next Palooza session)
Australian Gin Awards Presentation Dinner
The Australian Gin Awards will take place at a Presentation Dinner held at The Paddington Town Hall on Thursday 21 November 2019. The evening will be hosted by Paul Meyer as MC with guest speaker, Bill Lark Chairman of Judges. G&T and canapés will be served on arrival followed by a three course dinner accompanied by the six trophy gins and sponsored by StrangeLove Premium Tonic. MUMM Champagne will be served to all guests as a celebration toast to the trophy winners. Mother’s Ruin will be performing a gin-filled theatrical cabaret act to entertain guests. Tickets cost $185 per person.
Sydney Gin Palooza at a Glance
Dates: Thursday 21 November 2019 to Monday 25 November 2019
Location: Paddington Town Hall, 249 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW 2021
Cost: Tickets start from $70 and are available through Eventbrite including VIP Packages
In partnership with Sydney Gin Palooza.
