August 2024 | Backwoods Distilling Co. High Country Gin

Yackandandah, or ‘Yack’ as the locals fondly call it, is nestled in Victoria’s High Country region, a lazy three-hour drive from Melbourne’s CBD. The quaint town, steeped in the sly grog legacy of the nineteenth-century gold rush, now flaunts a National Trust classification and brims with celebrated artists – from potters to painters, designers, and distillers. It’s here, in the Yack Station Artisan Precinct, where you’ll stumble upon Bree and Leigh Attwood’s passion project, Backwoods Distilling Co.

Originally hailing from Myrtleford in Victoria’s North-East, Bree and Leigh made the move to Melbourne, where Bree worked in communications and Leigh as a secondary school teacher. The couple’s love for whisky, science, and storytelling blossomed into a dream to one day operate their own distillery. Drawn by the narratives and connections whisky creates, they aspired to join the wave of small-scale, family-run Australian distilleries. Fast forward 15 years, the allure of a slower-paced life surrounded by nature beckoned, and the couple eagerly swapped city life for their rural roots.

“We wanted our boys to spend time outdoors, to get dirty and find adventures in the woods and creeks! And it was this big move, this fresh start in a new place, that gave us the courage to start our distillery.”

Inspired by the lush landscapes of Victoria’s High Country, this gin doesn’t just capture the essence of the region – it transports you there with every sip. A quintessential Australian Dry Gin, it’s a labour of love from the Backwoods Distilling Co. team. It showcases in a signature blend that’s both bold and fragrant, with just the right hint of spice.

The cornerstones of every great dry gin – juniper, coriander, cardamom, angelica root, and orris root—are steeped and boiled in a classic distillation method, forming the heart of the gin. From these, the real artistry begins. Through a refined vapour infusion process, Australian native botanicals including lemon myrtle, pepper berry, wattleseed, peppermint gum, and strawberry gum are delicately introduced. This meticulous blend yields a gin that marries the classic dry gin botanicals with the bold, distinctive flavours of the local bushlands. High Country Gin has earned accolades with silver medals from the London Spirit Awards in 2021 and the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in 2022.

So, whether you’re indulging in a classic G&T or crafting a creative cocktail, High Country Gin is your passport to celebrate the rugged beauty and vibrant flavours of the Australian landscape.

Housing the Backwoods distillery door and production space is the Yack Station Artisan Precinct. The venue is a marvel of reclaimed materials, including pieces from old railway stations and nearby yards. A heritage railway guard’s van serves as a charming coffee shop. Soon after settling in, Backwoods was joined by an artisan baker, a woollen rug maker, a hairdresser, and a jeweller, creating a vibrant hub of culture and creativity for the community to relish.

When visiting, you can expect a welcoming and unpretentious experience that mirrors the distillery’s ethos and spirits. Guests will be greeted by either Bree or Tony and can enjoy a tasting paddle right alongside the production space. On weekdays, you can usually catch the team in the midst of distilling, allowing you to sample a tasting paddle of gin or whisky right amongst the action. A simple menu of mixed drinks is on offer, such as the Salted Lime Gin Margarita, or a range of G&T’s. As part of the Yack Station precinct, you can also order jaffles and coffee from the neighbouring Guard Café.

Gin type – London Dry

Appearance – Clear, bright

Botanicals – Juniper, coriander, cardamom, orris root, angelica root, lemon myrtle, pepperberry, wattleseed, strawberry gum, peppermint gum

Aroma – Piney juniper, zesty citrus, and subtle strawberry gum

Palate – Nutty wattleseed unfolds into sherbety lemon myrtle citrus and a spicy back palate

Finish – A crisp, sweet eucalypt edge from strawberry gum leaf and peppermint gum is balanced with a warming pepperberry spice