One of the region’s smallest and newest distilleries has won international praise.
Hepburn Distillery’s Premium Organic Potato Vodka has won gold representing Australia in the World Vodka Awards.
Owner Basil Eliades said the win was unexpected for the young Lyonville distillery and he was “thrilled to the back teeth”.
“It’s a strange and exciting time,” he told the Express.
Tasting notes for the winning spirit describe: “strong vegetal notes on the nose and followed on the body” and earthy flavours with “hints of sourness. The earthy flavour persists on the palate and has a very long, distinct finish”.
The celebrated vodka along with the distillery’s first gins were set to launch at the Trentham Spudfest last year before it was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions.
While the distillery couldn’t have the launch it deserved, Basil and wife Jane continued their work behind the scenes to develop true local and organic products from scratch with low food miles.
Surrounded by forest in cold spud country it was easy to find inspiration and high quality local producers to showcase including neighbouring Wombat Forest Organics.
“We’re making everything from scratch and trying to do something beautiful,” Basil said.
“Our vodka is made from locally grown potatoes and gins flavoured with locally sourced botanicals. I couldn’t produce any of what I have without our amazing growers. We’re connected with the best of everyone here.”
Basil’s fascination for the art of distilling brewed from a young age. Living in Sweden as a 15-year-old, Basil had a girlfriend who distilled vodka on her bedside table. From there, his interest led him to explore a range of distilling and fermenting techniques from the classic to the peculiar including a Mongolian method involving rotting yogurt.
He and an enthusiastic friend once dreamed of launching their own distilling company and while that business partnership never eventuated, it was an idea that continued to bubble in the back of Basil’s mind.
It wasn’t until about three years ago that Basil decided to take a break from his work in teaching, art and writing, to re-set and feed his other growing passion.
“This is a very different kind of activity. It’s very physical and also meditative,” he said.
The couple’s property seemed fitting, containing the well that used to provide water for one of the first pubs in the region, in the 1800s. Currently, Basil uses rainwater to make all vodka and gin but the well has been considered for other uses.
Sustainable practices is one of the admirable aspects of the distillery including use of green energy to power the stills, low food miles, recycled labels and carbon offset plan with Fifteen Trees.
Hepburn Distilling sells to Trentham, Daylesford, Ballarat and Kyneton. It is on the menu at various restaurants and eateries as well as available for purchase at liquor stores.
