Scallop Fiesta: Bridport Distilling Co craft unique scallop shell gin

Inspired by an oyster shell gin, a Tasmanian distilling company has produced a limited edition, 250-bottle run of what may be an Australian-first to coincide with this weekend’s Scallop Fiesta.

A northern Tasmanian distillery is producing what may be Australia’s first ever scallop shell gin to commemorate this weekend’s Tassie Scallop Fiesta in Bridport.

Bridport Distilling Co owner Chris Carins told the Mercury he was inspired to give the recipe a go by the growing popularity of oyster shell gin, a bottle of which he tried from Never Never Distilling Co about three months ago.

“It had an incredible mouth-feel and I knew the Scallop Fiesta was coming up, so I thought why don’t I try it,” Mr Carins said.

“I did a fair bit of research about the mineral quantities of calcium carbonate (what shells are made of), and oysters and scallops were pretty much similar.”

Jacob Stanford, manager of Allan Barnett Fishing Co, and Bridport Distilling Co owner Chris Carins launching the company's scallop shell gin. Picture: Taylor Cline

Mr Carins collaborated with Bridport scallop experts Allan Barnett Fishing Co, who allowed him to fill his boots with freshly cleaned scallop shells, which he powdered finely to place in the stills alongside wakame seaweed, lemon myrtle and seawater.

“The seawater straight from the bay changed the boiling temperatures as we were distilling, it was boiling a lot softer, the flavours were coming out a lot better, more pronounced,” Mr Carins said.

“The end product is really smooth, I’ve never had anything like it.

“There’s no alcohol burn at all and huge flavours of citrus zest and lemon myrtle.”
Mr Carins said Bridport Distilling Co would produce about 250 bottles of the gin, which would be for sale from their Main St distillery from Saturday.

The distillery is currently in the process of crafting the scallop shell gin into a cocktail which will be available for sale via the Little Rivers Brewing Co (also owned by Mr Carins and wife Jess) trailer bar in the fiesta proper.

Chef Sopheena Simmons is also in the process of putting together a scallop-themed tapas menu for the weekend to be paired with the gin.

The Tassie Scallop Fiesta will be held on Sunday from 10am–4pm at the Bridport Village Green and Community Hall.