Distillery Botanica’s Philip Moore indicted into the prestigious Gin Magazine Hall of Fame

Erina gin distiller Philip Moore has become the first and only Australian gin distiller to be named among the best in the world.

A Central Coast gin distiller has received one of the industry’s highest international accolades.

Philip Moore, owner of Distillery Botanica in Erina, has become the first and only Australian Distiller to be inducted into the Gin Magazine Hall of Fame in the UK.

The Gin Magazine Awards recognise the brightest people, places and products in the world of gin. Induction into the Gin Magazine Hall of Fame is the highest honour awarded by the magazine and reserved for those who have dedicated their professional lives to helping the sector thrive.

Mr Moore said the recognition came out of left field.

“Honestly it came out of left field,” Mr Moore told the Express.

“It was not on my radar as we have not entered any spirit competitions in a few years so to be recognised on a global level was an amazing surprise. It’s a great honour, especially alongside such luminaries such as Desmon Payne (Plymouth Gin & Beefeater) whom I have visited in the UK and have a huge amount of respect for.”

Mr Moore, who started his career in horticulture, taught himself the ancient art and science of distilling in 2005 when he bought The Fragrant Gardens in Erina.

The site of Distillery Botanica in Erina.

Moore’s Dry Gin was launched in 2007.

In 2006, he became the fourth commercial small scale gin producer in the country.

Moore’s Dry Gin launched in 2007 and became the first Australian gin to ever win Gold at the prestigious London International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2017.

Mr Moore’s other award-winning products include Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and Lemon Myrtle Liqueur.

The Erina distillery is set on three acres and Mr Moore grows the botanicals that make his award wining products.

Mr Moore started his journey as a distiller in 2005.

The Gin Queen’s Caroline Ashford described Mr Moore’s induction as “extraordinary”.

“To have an Aussie distiller shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Desmond Payne (Plymouth Gin & Beefeater), Lesley Gracie (Hendricks) and Joanne Moore (Bloom Gin) is an inspiration to the whole Australian gin industry,” she said.

“Philip has quietly and humbly been working hard crafting his gins since 2007 and it’s heartwarming to see him get the recognition he deserves.”

Distillery Botanica’s sales and marketing manager Nigel Weisbaum said Mr Moore had been quietly applying his trade on the Central Coast and caught the attention of key people in the gin industry.

Sales and marketing manager Nigel Weisbaum described the recognition as “amazing”.

Distillery Botanica is set to launch its remodelled facilities in Spring, which will include make your own gin workshops.

“To be recognised in this way is amazing and will help consumers recognise Moore’s Gin in the shops,” he said.

“We are a tiny distillery tucked away in Erina … creating incredible liquids whilst flying under the radar for over 15 years. So being recognised with such global industry heavyweights confirms everything we have been saying to visitors to the Distillery Door – Philip Moore creates world class spirits and liqueurs in this three acre garden right here on the coast.”

Mr Weisbaum said the distillery was forging ahead on remodelling plans for the gardens and

new Distillery Door experiences including educational tours, make your own gin workshops, and cocktail classes.

He said the plans had seen a few setbacks, however the new facilities should be up and running by Spring.