This month, we’re thrilled to be featuring Itinerant Spirits’ flagship creation, Gallivanter Wild Botanical Gin. Capturing the essence of its namesake, each sip of this month’s gin invites you to dream of a world of wanderlust and escapade. Harnessing the native botanicals and pristine volcanic spring water of Western Victoria’s Grampians, this juniper-forward concoction is gallant yet well-balanced.
Behind Itinerant Spirits are established nomads and entrepreneurs Brad Wilson and Craig Ryan. They’ve combined forces to create a multi-spirit distillery housed in one of Ballarat’s most iconic structures, The Goods Shed. Inspired by their travels and the rich historical backdrop of Ballarat, the duo intertwine tradition with innovation to craft a gin that celebrates the curious and intrepid traveller.
ABOUT THE DISTILLERY
With over two decades of experience in advertising and branding across Asia, Europe, and Australia, it was in 2017 that Brad Wilson redirected his focus to the world of distilling. Inspired by the rich history behind a heritage-listed cottage in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Brad was able to merge his love for premium design and hand-crafted goods by founding Little Lon Distilling Co., a quaint gin distillery and gin bar.
Much like Brad’s international career, Craig Ryan’s tenure as director and commercial strategist of numerous hospitality and hotel management enterprises took him around the globe – his professional life spanning across four continents.
Like every great partnership, Brad and Craig met by chance on the steps of The Esplanade Hotel – an institution in Melbourne’s vibrant dining scene. United by their hospitality backgrounds, mutual passion for travel and great spirits, they swiftly embarked on a quest to create an environment where nomads could reminisce on travels past and dream of explorations come.
Now, they are joined by Four Pillars alum and distilling sensation James Fairlie, who takes the helm as Itinerant’s Head Distiller. Raised in Stirling, Scotland, James’ passion for distilling was nurtured from a young age, where his father and grandfather owned and distilled at the infamous Glenturret Distillery. James’ own journey in the spirits industry began amidst Edinburgh’s vibrant whisky scene, where he managed a distinguished whisky bar. In 2013, his love for hospitality led him to Melbourne where he managed Whisky & Alement, before securing a position at Victoria’s most established distillery, Four Pillars.
Most recent to the team is Brett Clarke, a distinguished maestro of the hospitality and luxury beverage industry, joining Itinerant as Head of Sales.
The name ‘Itinerant’, meaning to move from place to place, captures the team’s passion for travel abroad and pays homage to their cosmopolitan endeavours. As the co-founding duo aptly put it, “there’s a shared human truth that when travelling and meeting other travellers, you generally talk about where you’ve been, where you’re going – usually with a drink in hand.”
Acquiring space in Ballarat’s Goods Shed – a heritage train shed dating back to the 1800s – Craig and Brad sought to create a spirit that celebrates the rich history, climate, bounty of produce, and vibrant community of the regional locale.
Spearheaded by Singapore-based interior designer Emma Maxwell, Craig and Brad endeavoured to construct a bar and dining experience that felt intimately intertwined with the art of distillation. Despite facing a distinct set of challenges to build a fully functioning distillery within a heritage-listed site, the paramount concern was preserving the integrity of the existing structure while simultaneously creating an immersive experience.
At the heart of the space lies a cutting-edge, modern distillery. Equipped with a 3000-litre vodka and whisky-producing German Kothe still, a 650-litre gin still and a 24,000-litre on-grain brewhouse, Itinerant Spirits has the capacity to produce up to 1.2 million bottles annually.
The unique fusion of contemporary and heritage elements is illustrated with a seamless transition from restaurant to bar to distillery. This fluidity is facilitated by a fire curtain imported from Germany, which reveals an expansive, open space. Whether guests are relishing the ambiance of the 140-seat cocktail mezzanine bar or unwinding in the Fireside Whiskey Lounge, the distillation process can be enjoyed from every seat in the room.
Feeling peckish? Itinerant Spirits has collaborated with neighbouring Atlantic Group restaurants in The Goods Shed to ensure a diverse and first-class culinary experience. Indeed, in between tastings and tours, guests can indulge in Hong Kong-style street food by Boom Time Dumplings, or from Nolans; shared plates and pizzas are the name of the game.
Boasting a setting that is both stunning and immersive, modern and historical, local and multicultural; Itinerant Spirits are a force to be reckoned with in the spirits industry.
ABOUT THE GIN
When creating their flagship gin, Craig and Brad’s journey was one of patience and dedication, experimenting with over fifteen iterations of the recipe. Their relentless pursuit culminated in Gallivanter. Named after someone who is drawn to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure, Itinerant’s Gallivanter Wild Botanical Gin draws inspiration from botanicals in the rugged terroir of Victoria’s Grampians and is intended to be enjoyed on any occasion.
Boasting a strong juniper backbone, Gallivanter strikes the perfect balance of earthy spice, florals and zesty citrus. The inclusion of fresh ruby grapefruit, mandarin and hand-picked botanicals from the local landscape infuse the spirit with fresh, bright citrus flavours that ensure a profile that is refreshing long after the first sip.
As the name suggests, the incorporation of lemon drop wax flower offers a creamy lemon palate with unique savoury hints of confectionery lime, cucumber, watermelon and fresh mint. Finally, undercurrents of roasted wattleseed, ground nutmeg, and green Sichuan pepper lend a sense of depth and complexity that leaves a smooth finish.
Designed in collaboration with Chad Michael Studios, the bottle design and presentation of Gallivanter Wild Botanical Gin personifies its namesake. In the spirit of travel, it takes an international village of crafts to bring together every bottle. While the labels and gin are Australian made, weighted zinc caps are carefully crafted in South America, and the elegantly rippled bottles are produced and shipped from glassmakers in the United States.
ABOUT THE TASTING ROOM
Featuring an in-house tasting room, patrons seeking a deeper understanding of the craft can immerse themselves with Itinerant Spirits’ exclusive masterclasses, hosted in the charming mezzanine on weekends.
Known as the ‘Explorer Session’, the team invite guests to experience a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the nuances of distillery operations. The masterclass lasts an hour and a half; kicking off with a refreshing G&T on arrival, followed by a comprehensive tour of the distillery premises. Participants then enjoy a guided tasting of Itinerant’s multi-spirit collection, which includes an exclusive preview of their unreleased new-make whisky.
OTHER PRODUCTS
Alongside its Gallivanter Wild Botanical Gin, Itinerant Spirits proudly shares a vodka in its lineup. Those of you lucky enough to have acquired a bottle of Itinerant’s Vansetter Vodka as an add-in will experience a full-bodied all-grain spirit that is best enjoyed with soda, a hint of peach and kaffir lime. A recipe of locally grown grains and natural volcanic spring water, this presents as a rich, velvety vodka that is uniquely influenced by the region. Aromas of malted grains are complimented by pepper and toasted rye to create a smooth warming spice that lingers.
Finally, Itinerant Spirits eagerly awaits the unveiling of its forthcoming release, Wayfarer Whisky. Embracing the nomadic ethos of the brand, the name refers to a traveller, especially one who journeys on foot.
While the whisky currently matures in ex-bourbon barrels, Itinerant Spirits has invited enthusiasts to become barrel keepers, having their name proudly etched onto the front of one of the esteemed Limited Release casks.
Whether it’s the historical charm of The Goods Shed, bustling rural scene, or Gallivanter Wild Botanical Gin, Itinerant Spirits will be making waves in the industry, and we can’t wait to follow their journey to see what’s in store.
