In celebration of spending 100 years in the skies, Four Pillars has teamed up with Qantas for a “uniquely Australian gin” dubbed the QF100; though it’s certainly a missed opportunity for a pun surrounding the “Spirit of Australia” (thank you… thank you… I’m here all week).
Honouring the national carrier’s birthplace of Longreach, the QF100 gin features botanicals native to the central western Queensland region, foraged directly from the outback community under the guidance of local indigenous leader, Suzanne Thompson.
“For 100 years Qantas has connected Australians with the world, shaping the country we live in today,” says Cameron Mackenzie, Four Pillars co-fonder & distiller.
“We were absolutely thrilled to be able to celebrate the centenary of the flying kangaroo with a truly unique, very Australian gin.”
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“Almost every grass, leaf, berry, or fruit in this region has a use within the indigenous culture and has done for thousands of years. When we visited last year, native lemongrass was plentiful, and it has become the heart and soul of this gin.”
“Both Suzanne and I knew this botanical would work magnificently in the gin, because it paired so well with the vibrancy of other botanicals.”
Other native Australian ingredients reportedly include macadamia and lemon myrtle.
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Even the bottle pays tribute to Qantas’ roots – while the front label sports grey strips to replicate the vertical corrugated iron from the Longreach hangar that started it all, the reverse side resembles a boarding pass.
In addition to its release, over the coming months, Qantas will also be showcasing the gin in a signature centenary cocktail named the “Longreach Fizz.” Those of you visiting the Qantas International First lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, the Brisbane International Lounge, as well as the six domestic Chairman’s lounges will be able to sample the goods first-hand.
The limited edition Four Pillars x Qantas gin will be available to purchase for just $90.
