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Blackwattle Distillery & Sixpenny Restaurant
Blackwattle Distillery is proud to have formed a collaboration with Sixpenny Restaurant to develop a gin that encapsulates the essence of Sydney's Inner West.Â
Featuring seasonal herbs grown in the Sixpenny Restaurant Garden, this dry gin showcases lemon verbena, anise hyssop, lemon balm, green apple and a touch of ruby grapefruit. A vibrant and verdant gin, with black pepper spice, bright citrus, and a herbaceous heart, perfected for sunny afternoons sipping a Gin & Tonic beneath flowering verbena.
Only served at Sixpenny Restaurant in Stanmore, and available by the bottle from Blackwattle Distillery.
inner west distillery trail
Discover the bold, the smooth and the unexpected at nine distilleries, who have joined together with Blackwattle Distilling Co. to create one unforgettable experience.
The Distillery
Testimonials
We had a fantastic time at Blackwattle Distilling Co! Mark was great fun—super insightful and more than happy to answer all our questions about the distilling process. We learnt so much and really appreciated the behind-the-scenes look. We sampled a wide range and absolutely loved the vodkas and gins. Highly recommend a visit!
Kieran
Hidden next to White Bay Brewery lies this gem of a distillery. Some of the best vodka I’ve ever had; what vodka is supposed to taste like. And their gin! So diverse for such a small distillery. Incredibly good value and a truly delightful tasting experience with the owners. Will definitely be back. Would highly recommend.
Shellie Wilkes
Definitely worth a visit and a taste. They have some great gins and good vodkas. The guys here are fantastic and enthusiastic in showing you what they’ve crafted, and this shows in the quality of what they’ve make.
Rohan Martin
discover The Spirit of the Inner West
The Bay
On the banks of Blackwattle Bay, during the 2nd Lockdown of the covid pandemic, old school mates met up to exercise. Or so it appeared. Leashed dogs in one hand, G&T filled Thermoses in the other, lockdown restrictions were flouted and Blackwattle Distilling Company was born.
The Botanicals
Inspired by the history of Blackwattle Bay, the site of Australia's first legal distillery, and the people that live and work around it, our spirits use the best local and international ingredients to capture the true Spirit of The Inner West. Distilled and bottled in Rozelle, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal and Wangal People.
Our Award Winning Spirit Range
Label artwork by john wren
@johnwrenart
Art & Distilling
There’s a shared spirit between the art of distilling and the act of creating art itself. Both are rooted in a deep understanding that we are each part of a greater continuum, reliant on those who came before us, while shaping the path for those who follow. It is in the present that we find the freedom to explore inherited skills and knowledge, and to leave our own mark. Like a quiet whisper carried forward, what we create now gently echoes into tomorrow. In this way, both Art and Distilling become a celebration of the today.
The Artist
John, like most creatives has discovered if he doesn’t have a creative outlet, the mind will unwillingly wander and invent non-existent scenarios. In his case he becomes somewhat of a hypochondriac. To feed this creative addiction to exhaust his mind, he paints. John likes to work on multiple pieces with opposing styles. His philosophy is that each style complements the next. Without an understanding of form and structure, abstract art will lack depth. Conversely, without the freedom of abstraction, portraiture will lack personality.
In its simplest form it’s all about avoiding boredom and propelling growth within his practice. Colour is essential to his work. He likes to restrict himself to a palette before commencing anything. For John, the self-imposed colour restrictions enable him to completely exploit the emotional connection assigned to a colour by either complementing the subject matter or in juxtaposition to it.
John has been a full-time artist since 2019, working from studios in both Brisbane and Launceston. As a self-represented artist, he has produced
five solo exhibitions and participated in eight group shows across Australia.
His work is currently on rotation in five prestigious Tasmanian venues, including
wineries, restaurants, and hotels, offering guests an ever-evolving visual
experience.
John’s solo exhibitions have developed a cult following, often blurring the line between traditional gallery show and immersive sensory experience. Collectors and admirers alike enjoy fine wines, chef prepared canapes alongside spirits from Blackwattle Distilling Co. as they delve into the work and world of John Wren.
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The Collaboration
John has family ties to Blackwattle Distilling Co. and the idea for a collaboration was first sparked, fittingly, over a few too many gin & tonic's at a family wedding. Soon after, John began work on three large-scale artworks, each destined to become a unique label for the debut range of Blackwattle Distilling Co.’s first three products.
