Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin occupies a fascinating position in the contemporary gin landscape. This is a spirit that has, since its inception, challenged conventional thinking about what gin can be — and where its boundaries lie. At 37.8% ABV and carrying the unmistakable influence of Shiraz grapes, it sits at the intersection of the vineyard and the still, a marriage that sounds improbable on paper yet has earned a devoted following worldwide.
Style & Character
Classified as a London Dry, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin nonetheless pushes firmly against the edges of that designation. The steeping of Shiraz grapes into a finished gin imparts a striking ruby hue and a fruit-forward character that distinguishes it from the juniper-led orthodoxy one typically expects of the category. It is, in many ways, a gin that asks you to reconsider your assumptions — and I find that proposition rather compelling.
Assessment
At £46.95, this sits in premium territory, and the price reflects both the additional production steps and the reputation Four Pillars has built. I have scored it 7.6 out of 10 — a mark that recognises genuine quality and innovation, while acknowledging that the lower ABV and the grape-driven profile may not satisfy purists seeking a more structurally classical London Dry. It is a gin of undeniable personality, if not quite of the highest technical complexity.
Best Served
Best served in a long G&T with Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic and a generous twist of orange peel, which complements the fruit character beautifully. It also makes for a striking Negroni, where the Shiraz notes play elegantly against Campari's bitterness.
