We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses!
OLGA ANDREEV
Distiller/Gin Educator at Four Pillars, NSW
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?
1-3 years.
WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY?
I've always been interested in flavour and distilling is the essence of flavour for me. Having been a cocktail bartender and managing cocktail bars for many years, I realised that I wanted to get closer to the source and became very interested in the production side of the industry, which led me reaching out to a few distilleries and no one responded better than the Four Pillars Lab in Surry Hills.
YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY?
I designed a gin recipe! Starting from a proof of concept on a rotovap, then testing on a small batch still at the Lab and refining from there to production for a trade event gin that we gifted to bartenders around Sydney.
WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY?
I found the community and even the public interacting with us quite welcoming in general, the challenges have mostly been adapting the (master)class formats to different people and finding that particular vein that interests that specific group/person. There's always an angle, you just have to find it, whether it's relating to cooking or cocktail making or to booze history.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS?
Our use of unique native botanicals and the dedication to the craft really shines through in so many great brands!
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Follow that thread of what you find interesting, ask the hard questions, delve into the deep and dense meanings, explore history of foods, spices and booze. Spend that time to learn about the ingredients that you're not sure about, it will pay off.
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT/PARTY TRICK?
If I read it, it is in my memory; husband calls me a knowledge sponge. Wanna know about the battle of Borodino? No? How about the war of 1812, which happened the same year? How do I know that? I can't even tell you.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW?
Born in Siberia and immigrated here as a teenager, having lived in Germany and Canada, I feel I have a unique perspective on flavour, whether it is food or drinks and it shows in the cocktails I put forward, with lots of savoury and potentially wacky combos.
WHAT PERSON HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR AND WHY?
I do genuinely feel inspired by the people I work with (shout out Lab team <3), especially in cocktail creation - we're always talking about flavour and utilising the best gin for a singular purpose. Of course, Cam, Matt and Stu have all been massive influences in my life, especially helping with presenting, public speaking and facilitating classes for the last few years - I have learned an incredible amount from those three.
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