Behind the Tasting Bench: A Visit from Brayan of BCAtastings
Words by Abby, co-founder of Swan River Distillery
One of the unexpected joys of running our distillery is the chance to meet people who are just as passionate about spirits, flavour, and craft as we are. Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Brayan Collazo Alonso from BCAtastings for a behind-the-scenes visit and in-depth tasting session.
Brayan has a sharp palate, a deep curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for the details that make each bottle unique. He took the time to explore our full range, chat with us about our processes and philosophies, and even shared one of his own special bottles with us during the visit (more on that below!).
We were blown away by the generosity of his feedback, so we’re sharing some of his words here—with his permission—as a beautiful reflection of what we’re building at Swan River Distillery.
Swan River Distillery: A Perth Gem of Craft and Passion
My day was perfectly set for discovery, and a visit to a distillery always promises a delightful blend of learning and growth. Thanks to a highly regarded representative, I had the pleasure of visiting Swan River Distillery, a place that instantly gave me good vibes. I arrived around 10 AM, though my representative had already departed for their sales calls. Still, my excitement was palpable, and the promise of meeting the owners filled me with anticipation – they certainly delivered on making the visit epic. I took some photos during my visit, but sadly, due to a technical issue, I lost them. I’ve promised myself to return in a few weeks to retake those photos and continue sharing and learning about the wonderful spirits, particularly those from Swan River Distillery.
A Warm Welcome and a Sensory Journey
Upon arrival, I was greeted by the father-daughter duo, Scott and Abby, who own Swan River Distillery. Abby, incredibly kind and enthusiastic, immediately fostered a great connection, leading to a wonderful conversation and an extensive tasting.
During the visit, I had the pleasure of tasting several of their creations and was genuinely impressed by the care, craftsmanship, and technique evident in each. It’s clear that their spirits are crafted with a purpose and a unique twist. They were incredibly open, sharing details on every question I had, making for a truly pleasant and educational experience.
Here are some highlights from my tasting notes:
• Native Gin: This is their most popular offering, a testament to its complexity and balance. Crafted with 10 different hand-selected botanicals and spices, it offers calm, pleasant notes that are hard to pinpoint individually, exactly as intended. The base spirit is a triple-distilled neutral alcohol from white sugars, ensuring the juniper and other botanicals shine. This gin is a must-try for any gin lover.
• Agave Spirits: Made from Mexican agave, this spirit impressively resembles notes of its “Big Brother tequila” after distillation. It was enjoyable, leaving a subtle yet long-lasting aftertaste.
• Frisk Gin Collaboration: I was thrilled to learn about their collaboration with Frisk Bar, Perth’s first Gin Bar and home to the largest range of gins in Perth (over 180!). Located in lively Northbridge, the centre of Perth’s nightlife and Chinatown, Frisk Bar and Swan River Distillery worked together to craft a unique gin for the bar’s cocktail menu. This collaboration between two local businesses is truly inspiring, and it’s certainly made me keen to visit Frisk Bar myself!
• Orangcello: This was exceptionally yummy! This particular batch had an even bigger burst of natural orange zest, peel, and essence – no concentrates here, just real oranges macerating. It was, by far, my favourite of their sweeter offerings.
• Absinthe: I was prepared to dislike it, but this absinthe amazed me! The balance of fennel and anise seeds was incredible. I was particularly struck by its texture and flavours. They shared how challenging it is to make, requiring more steps, including cooking some parts of it – truly unbelievable!
• Charcoal-Filtered Vodka: If their vanilla vodka is smooth, this one takes it to another level. The charcoal filtering process makes it even more refined, showcasing the distillery’s commitment to refinement.
• Vanilla Vodka: This one is fascinating. Triple-distilled and 40% ABV, it’s clear as water, yet treated almost like a gin, with vanilla beans infused in the basket during distillation. While the vodka emerges bursting with vanilla, the true magic happens when PNG Vanilla Beans are added directly into the bottles. These beans are the “heroes,” continuing to infuse and deliver another layer of flavour. We tried it with and without the beans, and the difference was remarkable: the beans added an almost buttery caramel note, while the version without felt a little sweeter on the palate. Described as “a round and luscious vodka infused with only the best natural vanilla beans,” it offers a smooth, elegant taste with a light tinge of hazelnut. It’s great in cocktails or on its own for a perfect sipper.
• Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur: Made with their triple-distilled vodka, this liqueur features a collaboration with local WA coffee aficionados, Yellowline Coffee. It’s smooth and full-flavoured, with notes of cacao and praline, and perfectly suited for the Espresso Martini! The coffee itself is a mix of specially formulated premium beans from Brazil and Costa Rica, boasting a rich syrupy body with flavours of vanilla, butterscotch, caramel malt and a light apricot finish.
• Port Gin Liqueur: This award-winning, often-sold-out liqueur was incredibly easy to drink despite carrying a huge amount of spices. I immediately asked to be signed up for a bottle when it’s produced again!
A Detailed Look at Their Craft
After the delightful tasting, Abby led me on a tour of their distillery, which, surprisingly, wasn’t huge, especially considering their extensive range. This struck me as remarkable given their journey; they’ve already moved to a larger facility in 2024, a spacious new premises on the vibrant Vic Park strip, just 500 meters from the Swan River itself! Yet, their current production space still feels intimate. It speaks to a focused approach, allowing them to expertly manage their wide range of creations, some of which might be seasonal or temporary. The size also allows them to maintain the meticulous quality that clearly defines their spirits.
It was truly amazing to see the future rum fermenting and the agave spirits. I even got to touch the barrels they use, including some from famous wine houses, adding another layer to the rich story of their craft. I was particularly impressed by their hybrid still, featuring columns and a pot, and the basket where all the magic happens with botanicals, spices, and fruits.
Swan River Distillery, proudly named after Perth’s iconic Swan River, deeply embraces the ecological and geographical significance of this cherished landmark. Sustainability is at the heart of their operations, from sourcing local and seasonal botanicals to minimising waste in production. Additionally, the bottles they use are outsourced from France and are lighter than their Chinese counterparts, which further contributes to their environmental efforts. This commitment significantly contributes to Perth’s eco-conscious culture, honouring both the land and the community. Today, the distillery produces a diverse lineup of spirits that extends beyond gin and vodka to include absinthe, coffee liqueur, and a vibrant limoncello.
An Exciting Glimpse into Their Future Rum
During my visit, I was happily surprised to learn about their upcoming rum. While the base is made from Queensland molasses, the most exciting detail is that the final rum will be a blend of two different distillation styles. This will result in a beautifully balanced alcohol, full of flavour, and well-positioned for the mid-term market. The approach of blending column and pot still distillation, while relying on just one, ensures a nuanced and complex profile. I absolutely cannot wait to try it!
A Truly Connected Experience
The owners, Scott and Abby, were incredibly generous with their time and knowledge. They shared everything I asked, making the experience genuinely pleasant. I even had the chance to share from my own personal collection a limited edition Christmas Gin from Four Pillars, aged in an 80-year-old Muscat barrel, adding a personal touch to the tasting. This visit has deepened my appreciation for Swan River spirits, especially now that I’ve seen the “know-how” firsthand and touched the very equipment used to craft these incredible beverages.
Swan River Distillery is more than just a place where spirits are made; it’s where tradition meets innovation, and every sip tells a story. I highly recommend a visit to experience the spirit of Swan River Distillery firsthand, where tradition meets innovation, and every sip tells a story.
Sincerely BCAtastings
Brayan Collazo Alonso