Carrington’s fairly new tenant, Earp Distilling Co., has been making waves not only in the local gin world but even on the worldwide stage, winning themselves four medals at the World Gin Awards this year.

In addition to this, Earp Distilling Co. became known over the course of COVID restrictions last year for their highly sought-after hand sanitiser and more recently for their live music weekends! But what has really kept us on our toes recently, is their unique style of gin distilling and their Gin School offering.

Gin School did you say? You betcha, right here in Newcastle you can create your very own gin alongside the help of the Earp Distilling Co.

“Become a distiller for a day and immerse yourself in the process. Carefully guided by our head distiller, prepare to lift the veil on the ever-mysterious distilling process. Our Gin School is all about providing you with a hands-on, interactive experience where you become head distiller for the day!”

The two-hour class is run in pairs (with a maximum of 14 people per class) and is the perfect offering for spirit-curious. Welcomed into the class with a G&T on arrival, you’re walked through the history and process of gin distilling before getting stuck into learning and making what elements come together to create the perfect gin.

Select from Earp Distilling Co’s wide selection of both Australian and International botanicals. From the standard goods including ginger, coriander, and cinnamon, to the quirky flavours and botanicals including pineapple, riberry, and mango. Try not to be too overwhelmed with the selection; if you’re stuck, the talented Earp Distilling Co. team is there to help you create the perfect gin, just for you!

You’ll hear all about the heads, hearts, and tails – which at the time sounded rather exciting, almost like stepping straight back in my high school science class.

Listen in as the team give you a quick rundown on the innovative miniature stills and how to choose the right measurements for your gin botanicals. Get your flavours all together in what can only be explained as a gin teabag before hitting start and waiting for the magic to happen.

So, for all those interested in the flavours that made the iconic HUNTERhunter gin, we used Riberry, Tasman Pepperberry, Finger Lime Chips, Ginger, and Cinnamon; a winning combination if you ask us!

Whilst you’re excited to see all the glorious gin liquid make its way into the beakers, this little bit of science does take a bit of time to make happen. So, whilst you wait sit back and enjoy one of the most generous servings of a grazing board I’ve ever experienced.

Explore the mixing of ‘cuts’ and work with your partner to form your unique finished gin before hand-filling and labelling your very own Earp Distilling Co. ceramic bottle with your bespoke gin.

Before heading home with your new creation, have a ‘blind tasting’ of all the other gins created on the night. Taste the huge range of flavours that can be created by different people, and maybe even get the recipe for another gin that you loved.

So, for all the gin connoisseurs out there, those looking to delve into the exciting world of gin or even those who love an excuse to learn something new, Earp Distilling Co.’s Gin School truly is a unique and exciting experience well worth your time.