Hickson House, located at The Rocks in Sydney has released its latest spirit: the Oyster Shell Gin. This new addition to its line of spirits brings the untouched beauty of Australia’s coastline straight to your glass. Distilled in small batches with native botanicals and infused with the unique character of crushed Sydney Rock Oysters, this gin is a celebration of Australian coastal life, offering a smooth, creamy texture with a whisper of oceanic salinity and a burst of bright citrus notes. What also makes this gin unique is the limited number of oyster shell gins created in distilleries around the world.
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Mikey Enright, Co-Founder of Hickson House, sees the new gin as a true reflection of the distillery’s connection to its location under the Harbour Bridge.
“Our small-batch Oyster Shell gin really epitomises the brand ethos of ‘Made of Australia’ by using locally sourced ingredients. With our distillery nestled at the edge of Sydney Harbour, it was important for us when creating the gin to capture the essence of the pristine Australian waters,” says Mikey.
Tim Stones, Head Distiller at Hickson House, says, "Mikey and I come from traditional gin backgrounds, so we make everything here in the London Dry style, which basically means all the ingredients need to be natural. They have to be distilled together, and you're not allowed to affect the flavour in any way post distillation.
"We took our classic London Dry base and tweaked it a little bit. We added grapefruit peel, a little bit of finger lime for citrus and some dried kelp to lift the salinity, giving you those touch points of ocean. We also added tarragon, which is a classic seafood herb. It helps round everything off. And obviously the oyster shells, which we try and use very sustainably."
If it's a sensory journey you're looking for in a gin, the Oyster Shell Gin delivers just that.
Its aroma is reminiscent of a brisk ocean breeze, with hints of juniper and citrus. The flavour profile is layered, beginning with bright citrus and oceanic notes, followed by a delicate saline and mineral character. The finish is long, dry, and subtly salty, leaving a lingering impression of herbs and minerals that invite another sip.
Perfectly suited for pairing with fresh seafood, this gin adds a nice balance of subtle salinity and herbal notes, enhancing the flavours of the seafood while allowing the essence of the coast to shine through.
Hickson House Oyster Shell Gin is available for purchase at RRP $88.00, both at the distillery and online, as well as through selected liquor specialists.