Hickson House Distilling Co provides unique tasting experiences, an innovative cocktail list and a botanically-inspired Australian menu to match.
Formerly a heritage warehouse occupying a thriving party scene in The Rocks, Saatchi & Saatchi scored a major facelift and name change to Hickson House Distilling Co. The new space is home to a craft spirit distillery and is just a stone’s throw from our beautiful harbour. Whether you’re undertaking a distilling experience, tasting your way through the gin-dominated cocktail list or indulging over the botanically-inspired Australian menu, there are plenty of ways to spend your weekend at Hickson House.
Step inside and notice the distillery sills and barrels that sit alongside the bar and dining space. This is juxtaposed by the High & Dry Bar which is best described as an intimate mezzanine cocktail lounge. Your eyes are instantly drawn to the soaring back bar which shelves over 600 bottles of spirits from around the globe. The venue has focused on highlighting Australian-made spirits on the menu including rare whiskies and the distillery’s very own gin. The Hickson Rd. Gin is just the start of their distilling journey and we can expect whisky and single spirits to be added to their repertoire in the future.
Hickson Rd. Gins are setting the benchmark high for Australian-made spirits with ingredients sourced from around the continent and often, exclusively grown for the distillery. The gins are distilled in 800L copper pot stills and custom-made by local craftsmen in Griffith NSW. The range includes Australian Dry, London Dry and Harbour Strength and is showcased throughout the cocktail menu and take the classic Gimlet and Martini to new heights.
The food menu follows the theme and can be best described as modern Australian. Highlights include Oysters with gin, apple and river mint vinaigrette, Kangaroo Tartare with horseradish, Vegemite and toast, Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder with juniper jus and mint gremolata and 250g Full-blood Wagyu Rump (MBS 9+) with smoked bone marrow butter and jus and to finish, a Gin & Mango pavlova.
The team host intimate tours and tasting experiences in the distillery which are perfect for gathering friends and work colleagues. Guests will be guided through a unique tasting directly from the still, followed by a flight of Hickson Rd which are matched to artisanal mixers and native garnishes. The best part is if you taste something you like, you can pick up a bottle from the Distillery Door alongside apparel and house-made cocktail garnishes like olives and onions.
There’s a team of heavyweights behind the operation including Owners Mikey Enright and Julian Train from The Duke of Clarence and The Barber Shop, as well as Head Distiller Tim Stone who was previously Manly Spirits Distiller. “Weaving the needs of a full production distillery and significant bar space into what is a unique heritage warehouse has been a challenge that we have embraced wholeheartedly. We hope our valued guests love the finished product as much as we do!“ said Train.
Hickson House is open Tuesday to Wednesday from 4pm – 12am and Thursday to Saturday from 12pm – 12am.
High & Dry Bar is open Tuesday to Sunday from 4pm – 12am.
Hickson House Distillery is open for 1-hour tours and tasting experiences Thursday to Saturday at 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm and 4:30pm for $40pp.
Find out more and book here
