Celebrity chef and restaurateur, Matt Moran, has partnered with a Tassie distiller to create a boutique gin and whiskey exclusively for sale on Amazon.
Matt Moran – who is a long-time whiskey collector – partnered with Tasmania’s McHenry Distillery to create two new spirits designed to spread festive cheer as part of Amazon Australia’s new Further South Spirits line.
“As a chef, restauranteur and farmer, everything is about the flavour,” said Moran. “But it goes beyond the food.
“When you come to one of my restaurants, the dining experience is about so much more –– it’s about the food, sure, but it’s also about the service, the ambience, and — very importantly — what you drink.”
The chef wanted a flexible, unique spirits taste that would pair well with his signature dishes, which he found in the form of the McHenry Distillery in Port Arthur, Tasmania, surrounded by naturally occurring, crystal-clear springs.
“As distillers, we’re always working with and thinking about alcohol, whereas someone like Matt brings an entire wealth of relevant experience from food,” said McHenry Distillery founder, Bill McHenry. “And we just loved the idea of bringing those two things together.”
The results were Moran’s Blend 299 dry gin, perfect for cocktails and martinis, and Moran’s Number 9 Whiskey, a drop fit for both aficionados and first timers.
“Starting with a rush of malt, stone fruit and nuts on the nose, my signature Number 9 whisky offers a warm palate with more nuts and maple, green plum and mild, peppery heat,” said Moran.
“Roasted sugar and ground coffee notes round out a smooth finish.”
McHenry shared the chef’s enthusiasm.
“It’s really a modern London-style of gin, with a nod to the cooks pantry and it’s going to be just perfect for cocktails,” he said.
“It’ll go well on its own if you like a classic dry martini, or it’ll work just as nicely in something with a lot of fruit.”
The Matt Moran and McHenry Distillery partnership will also be supporting local producers throughout the campaign, with a portion of sales going to charity organisation, Thankful.
“Between natural disasters, rodent plagues and COVID-19, our farmers need all the help they can get and I’m confident the two new spirits we’ve released will help bring a little holiday cheer this Christmas,” said the restaurateur-turned-spirit maker.
“After the last 18 months we’ve had, we could all use something to celebrate!”
