The search for non-alcoholic drinks that still had great taste led Alastair and Carolyn Whitely to create Australia’s first non-alcoholic distilled spirits brand, Seadrift Distillery.
After thirty years of drinking various kinds of alcohol, Alastair Whitely sought out a non-alcoholic drink for adults that he enjoyed.
His partner Carolyn, who had been working in innovation with some of the top alcohol brands in the world, suggested that he create something to suit his own palette.
Wanting to distil his drinks with the same craft and care as alcoholic spirits, Alastair researched stills and found a family in Portugal that had been hand-beating copper pot stills for five generations. Their still arrived at their home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and after a year, it found a home at what is now the Seadrift Distillery and Bar.
After a year of experimenting, Ali came home one day to find Carolyn in tears. Fearing the worst, he asked what was wrong. She told him that they’d won silver in one of the world’s biggest spirit awards held by the London Wine and Spirits Association.
“How did that happen?” he asked, knowing he’d not entered the awards. Carolyn had done that part for them, and so the search for a property began, for a place to build a bar and a brand.
That place was in Brookvale, and the pair poured time, love and money into creating a welcoming, industrial-style warehouse venue, complete with hanging gardens and copper pot stills.
Over the past five years the team has launched a full range of alcoholic alternatives including a Seadrift Marine (vodka-style), Seadrift Coast (gin-style), Seadrift Wild Hibiscus (pink gin-style), Seadrift Orange Aperitif (Aperol-style). And most recently Seadrift Whiskie – a Whiskey alternative.
The Whiskie recently scored gold medal at the World Alcohol Free Awards, up against 4,000 other entries. It involved a complete reinvention of the process in order to produce a spirit with the complexity and notes that whiskey is known for.
The drink opens with notes of smooth oak, progressing into a smoky warmth and finishing with a lingering vanilla sweetness. It’s complex and delicious – the perfect end to a winter’s night.
Like all Seadrift products, it comes from a botanical distilled base, using fresh locally grown botanicals, giving each spirit a brightness and intensity.
Alistair and Carolyn have gone from producing spirits in a shed, to Seadrift being served in some of Sydney’s top restaurants including Firedoor, Quay and Margaret.
“As we understand the benefits of moderation more, it’s a great way to cut back or take a break from alcohol,” says Carolyn. “And with the Sydney restaurant trade now seeing the benefits of catering for non-alcohol-drinking guests, it’s possible to get a fantastic mocktail that has equal depth and quality to cocktails.”
If you’d like to try some for yourself, Seadrift Distillery in Sydney’s Brookvale is open for tastings. Or check out the range online and make Dry July a little more exciting.
Visit: seadriftdistillery.com for more information.
To read our interview with Distillery Botanica master distiller, Phillip Moore, click here.
