There’s something inherently magical about the coastline. It’s where the land meets the sea in a timeless dance, where waves kiss the shore with every breath of the tide. Hickson House, in its masterful artistry, has managed to capture this very essence in a bottle with their latest creation: Oyster Shell Gin. A liquid ode to the Australian coast, this gin doesn’t just evoke the ocean—it embodies it, a smooth and salty whisper of the sea that lingers long after each sip.
Behind this gin, you’ll find the visionaries: Mikey Enright and Julian Train, the founders of the renowned Barrelhouse Group, the very team responsible for iconic venues like The Duke of Clarence and The Barber Shop. If you’ve sipped gin in Australia, chances are you’ve passed through the doors of The Barber Shop, celebrated as the World’s Best Gin Bar in 2020 by the UK’s Gin Magazine, and a four-time recipient of Australia’s Best Gin Bar by Australian Bartender Magazine. With the largest gin selection in the country, it’s a hallowed ground for aficionados who have spent many an evening exploring the world’s best gins.
Now, the journey continues at Hickson House, where Mikey and Julian are joined by the brilliant Tim Stones, the former Head Distiller at Manly Spirits and ex-Global Brand Ambassador for Beefeater Gin. Trained under the legendary Desmond Payne, Tim has perfected the art of distilling, and at Hickson House, the team’s collective 60 years of experience in hospitality, brand development, and distilling converge.
Together, they’ve created a gin that pays homage to the Australian landscape and its rich bounty. Hickson House isn’t just another distillery—it’s a testament to a shared love for spirits, purity, and a deep gratitude for the land they call home. Their ethos is uniquely Australian, yet rooted in timeless tradition, with ingredients sourced locally, often grown exclusively for their creations.
A Symphony of Salt and Citrus
This isn’t your everyday gin. No, this is a concoction born from the ocean’s deepest secrets and the land’s freshest bounty. Crushed Sydney Rock Oysters provide the heart of the spirit, their subtle salinity weaving through the liquid like a tide that ebbs and flows with every sip. The oysters don’t shout—they whisper, adding a delicate, creamy texture that lingers on the palate like a fleeting gust of ocean breeze.
Alongside the oysters, native botanicals play their part like the supporting notes of a symphony. There’s the bright zing of finger lime, sharp and effervescent, like sunlight catching the crest of a wave. Ruby grapefruit adds a bitter-sweet complexity, while old man saltbush and seaweed bring a grounded, earthy depth, like the dark, mysterious pull of the ocean’s depths. Together, these elements create a gin that feels alive—each sip an unfolding story of salt, sun, and wind.
The result is a flavor profile that dances across your taste buds like a shoreline, alternating between bright citrus highs and deep, saline lows. It’s a harmonious balance, where the fresh and the briny meet, just as the ocean and land embrace. Hickson House has managed to craft something more than just a gin—it’s a bottle of the Australian coastline itself, as wild and untamed as the waves crashing against the cliffs.
A Sea of Possibilities in Every Sip
To drink Hickson House’s Oyster Shell Gin is to embark on a journey. It’s a voyage to the heart of the Australian shore, where each wave is a new discovery. Sip it neat, and the creamy texture of the crushed oyster shells unfurls like a slow, languid tide washing over your senses. The citrus notes lift it, like a brisk sea breeze lifting your spirits, while the herbaceous undertones of saltbush and tarragon ground it, like the reassuring solidity of sand beneath your feet.
But the beauty of this gin doesn’t end with its complex profile—it’s a versatile sailor, ready to chart new waters. In a martini, the gin’s delicate salinity pairs beautifully with the crispness of vermouth, creating a drink that feels like dipping your toes into the ocean at dusk. And in a gin and tonic, Oyster Shell Gin becomes a refreshing wave crashing over your taste buds, perfect for a hot summer day where the only thing missing is a cool sea breeze—and now, not even that.
Pair it with fresh seafood, and the magic intensifies. The briny kiss of the gin enhances the sweetness of prawns and oysters, while the citrus and herbal notes balance out the richness, like the push and pull of the tides shaping a perfect shore.
The Spirit of the Sea
In creating Oyster Shell Gin, Hickson House hasn’t just crafted a drink—they’ve captured a moment, a place, a feeling. It’s as if they’ve bottled the essence of Australia’s coastline, offering you the chance to experience the wild beauty of the sea, even if you’re miles away from the shore. With each sip, you’re transported to a coastline dotted with pristine beaches and rugged cliffs, where the ocean’s ebb and flow shapes not just the land, but the soul.
Hickson House's Oyster Shell Gin is a tribute to the coastline, the people who love it, and the timeless connection between land and sea. Whether enjoyed neat, mixed, or paired with seafood, this gin is an ode to the Australian landscape—and a reminder that the best adventures often start with a single sip.
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Words by AW.
Photos courtesy of Hickson House Distillery.