{"id":865139,"date":"2026-08-23T04:40:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T04:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/865139\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T04:40:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T04:40:18","slug":"whats-the-explosive-naval-tradition-and-community-spirit-behind-australias-best-new-gin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/865139\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the explosive naval tradition – and community spirit – behind Australia’s best new gin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

The trophy for the Navy Strength Man O\u2019 War gin is an especially meaningful one for Navy veteran Gavin. Photo: Gavin Gillan.<\/p>\n

The recent Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards yielded plenty of excellent results for the region, but there was one distillery that had more than most to celebrate.<\/p>\n

Hold Fast Distillery in Braidwood came away with a slew of medals and, best of all, a trophy for their Man O\u2019 War Navy Strength Gin.<\/p>\n

For owner and head distiller Gavin Gillan, the award is especially meaningful.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually started making this recipe when I was still in the Navy. From all the other distilleries making this gin, I was the only serviceperson who had a meaningful connection to the heritage of it,\u201d he told Region.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it comes down to the tradition of it. Back in the day there was no way to measure the strength of alcohol, so the sailors would measure one part of their gin ration and one part of gunpowder, and if it still ignited they knew it was strong enough. If it didn\u2019t light, it meant someone had been watering down their rations!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Gavin Gillan of Hold Fast Distillery and his wife Nina at the recent Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards. Photo: Supplied.<\/p>\n

The Man O\u2019 War Gin contains juniper (as all gins must), different types of pepper from Africa and Asia, as well as orris root and home-grown yuzu citrus.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose botanicals bond very well with ethanol molecules, which allows you to taste the flavour of the botanicals rather than just the heat of the alcohol,\u201d Gavin explained.<\/p>\n

Hold Fast Distillery has been entering spirits into the Melbourne Royal for seven years and has taken home around 50 medals. So what made the difference this year to bag the trophy?<\/p>\n

\u201cThat perfection of craftsmanship, and getting the analysis of the judges every year. We\u2019re always refining little things. Also the good provenance of the botanicals we\u2019ve been able to source this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the best thing is you get validation for your product.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Participants in the Monthly Muster Veterans Distilling Days take home a bottle of their own gin and connect with other veterans. Photo: Gavin Gillan.<\/p>\n

Gavin\u2019s Navy background is reflected not only in his award-winning spirits but also in his Monthly Muster event, which invites veterans and their families for a day of camaraderie, craftsmanship and the art of spirit-making.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about people coming out to connect with no barrier. It\u2019s a time to talk and reflect, with a sensory experience, and they get to craft a bottle of gin and take it home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd people make connections: we\u2019ve had guys come in and realise they live just 20ks from each other, so they go and help out with fencing. We\u2019ve also started to go camping, which we do once a month,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The result of these monthly musters is the Veteran\u2019s Gin and the Veteran\u2019s Vodka, two bottles which join the line-up of Hold Fast spirits. The participants helped to develop the recipe, which includes lemon myrtle and rosemary botanicals. Five dollars from the sale of each bottle is donated to the National Centre for Veterans\u2019 Healthcare.<\/p>\n

Hold Fast also has a range called Illuminated Independence. Twenty dollars from the sale of this gin and vodka goes to Project Independence<\/a>, which supports people with intellectual disability to live with greater independence and security.<\/p>\n

In addition to the gold for their Man O\u2019 War gin and the trophy for best Navy Gin, they were runners-up for Champion Australian Gin. They won silver medals for their Sloe Gin and Bottled Negroni.<\/p>\n

Find out more about Hold Fast Distillery on their website<\/a>, or follow them on Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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