Four Pillars Gin Co-Founder Stuart Gregor inducted into Australian Distillers Hall of Fame

Stuart Gregor has been recognised for his key role in advancing Australaia’s spirits industry

Four Pillars Gin Co-founder Stuart Gregor has been inducted into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame along with Lark Whisky Co-founder Lyn Lark at the Gala Dinner of the Australian Distillers Annual Conference in Melbourne.

Gregor is the sixth Hall of Fame inductee after the four founding fathers of the modern Australian craft distilling scene became the inaugural inductees in 2022. The first four were Bill Lark, Cameron Syme, Patrick Maguire and posthumously Raymond ‘Spike’ Desser.

Gregor was selected for playing a key role in building Four Pillars into the business it is today and for his contribution as President of Australian Distillers from 2014 to 2022. Australian Distillers (formerly Australian Distillers Association) is the industry’s leading body and during his tenure, membership grew from around 30 members to well over 400.

Gregor (right) co-founded Four Pillars with Cameron Mackenzie (left) and Matt Jones (middle) in 2013. From a small craft distillery, it has now grown to be one of the world’s most esteemed gin producers.

Gregor said: “This is a rare honour and something that is a testament, if nothing else, for how far we have come as an industry and how well Australian Distillers has evolved since I got out of the way last year.

“My time with the ADA was only made possible because I have two such awesome Co-founders Cam Mackenzie and Matt Jones, who frankly freed up so much spare time for me, it was good fortune I had some industry lobbying to keep me occupied.

“The day we received notification of the full A$350,000 excise rebate in 2021 was a red-letter day as was the appointment of Paul McLeay as our first CEO. Both those things have immeasurably improved the lot of every single distiller in Australia.”

“And, of course, we owe enormous gratitude to those who went before us and did the hard yards. And it’s pretty cool coming in alongside Lyn.”

The Hall of Fame announcements were made at what has so far been the largest Australian Distillers conference, attended by more than 500 delegates, a far cry from the 2014 event held at the original Starward distillery which attracted 16 attendees.

Gregor concluded: “We’ve come a long way and have a long way to travel.”✈

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