Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley Resort created its own 1832 Wolgan gin .
endeavor ( the hotel renovation , completed in April 2018 , initially estimated at US $ 37 million , ended up being US $ 87 million ), and the permitting process for the distillery took 26 months . “ Sixty to seventy percent of my job is just filling out paperwork for the federal government ,” Yancey says .
EMIRATES ONE & ONLY WOLGAN VALLEY RESORT , AUSTRALIA The resort staff worked with Mikey Enright , owner of The Barber Shop gin bar in Sydney , and Ian Glen of Stone Pine Distillery , to create the 1832 Wolgan gin , made from purified water from Carne Creek and botanicals , both found on the property . “ Throughout 2018 , Mikey and Ian visited the resort numerous times to explore the property , forage for and select botanicals and sample the pristine water that has been used to distill the gin ,” says James Wyndham , general manager .
The gin itself has been a hit with guests who also experience the drink through master classes and tastings . As well , they can pick and touch botanicals used in the gin through guided nature walks .
The idea for the gin – and the tours and tastings – came about in 2017 when the resort partnered with Enright on a one-time gin master class , a martini hour and gin degustation dinner that was part of a pop-up Barber Shop bar at the resort . “ The feedback from guests has been fabulous ,” Wyndham says . “ The signature cocktail with the gin has been hugely popular , and we have seen many sales ( of limited bottles ) of the gin .”
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR , MALAYSIA Named for Malaysia ’ s native Trigona bee , which produces some of the world ’ s most sought-after wild honey , Bar Trigona is all about honey and the local flora of the Malaysian rain forest . Honey is incorporated into tastings and cocktails . “ It ’ s always amazing to see the guest ’ s reaction when we bring out our honey flights on the table for them to try ,” says Ashish Sharma , head bartender . “ Malaysia has so much to offer when it comes to local products , but so many people , even local Malaysians , do not know about it .”
Sharma says it took a lot of time and
March 2019 hotelsmag . com 37