Gavin makes the leap from anti-piracy patrols to gin distilling

A passion for seeking out intriguing whiskey bars in Japan during naval deployment has turned into a successful career of gin distilling for Braidwood resident Gavin Gillin. 

Gavin’s business, Holdfast Distillery, was at Henty’s Farm Gate for the first time and picked up the Best Exhibit Farm Gate Award.

Based around a nautical theme, the site featured bold neon lighting, well designed bottle labels, and displays boxes using timber and copper.

Gavin formerly served as a navigator for 14 years in the Australian Navy and was involved in the International Coalition Against Terrorism in the North Arabian Gulf in 2002.

He navigated ships around the entire world during anti-piracy and anti-narcotic patrols. 

When stationed in Japan, Gavin was an avid whiskey drinker and collector and came across a few small struggling whiskey bars.

“I started hosting some bespoke tasting events to get people in the doors every fortnight and other distilleries asked me to do their launch parties,” he said. 

After moving back to Australia, Lark Distillery contacted Gavin for assistance to export to Japan and the USA.

He was encouraged to establish his own small distillery, bottling everything by hand and from the profits bought his first bottling machine.

“Here at Farm Gate, there are quite a few other distilleries including Heathcote, Riverina and Corowa and everyone has their own different feel.”

Gavin uses Compass and Atlas barley in his brewing due to the name’s nautical association. 

“Holdfast is a Dutch nautical term used on sailing ships to hold on tight, but it is also about staying true to the course when things get tough. “

The most popular gin is Sea Breeze made with fresh elderflower and saltbush grown by Gavin’s mother. Others have nautical names such as Dogs Watch, Man ‘O War, Pearl Diver and Lighthouse. 

“I aim to create a good experience when people come to these events. At the Henty Machinery Field Days there is more to it than buying a tractor or a header – it’s really about the experience of coming here and people coming together from all the regional towns,” Gavin said. 

Holdfast Distillery operates from an historic building, Troopers Rest Café, bar and Restaurant, in Braidwood, NSW.

The business has a veteran outreach program holding free morning teas and gin schools every second Monday in Braidwood. Gavin also aims to establish a veterans rehabilitation centre in the town. 

This year Gavin is planting yuzu, juniper and sloe trees as botanicals for gin production. 

“We like to share our wares, promote our restaurant and provide an interactive experience at our distillery where visitors can make their own gin,” Gavin said. 

“This is our first year at Henty and would like to return in the following years. For us being in a small regional town we like to support all the other regional events.”