Wine and gin have always shared a certain kinship — both drawn from the earth, both shaped by the hands of those who tend the land. When a distillery chooses to bring the two together in a considered, deliberate way, the result can be something worth pausing over. Prohibition Liquor Co, Field Blend Shiraz Gin is one such expression — a gin that takes its cues from the vineyard as much as the still room, and invites the drinker to reconsider where gin ends and something altogether more interesting begins.
The Distillery and Its Story
Prohibition Liquor Co is based in Adelaide, South Australia — a city that sits at the edge of some of Australia’s most celebrated wine country. The Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Adelaide Hills are all within reach, and their influence on the local craft spirits scene is difficult to overstate. Prohibition Liquor Co has built its reputation on a range of gins that reflect both classical sensibility and a willingness to experiment with what the surrounding landscape offers.
The Field Blend Shiraz Gin takes its name from a winemaking tradition in which grapes from multiple varieties or parcels are harvested and fermented together rather than separately. It is an approach that values the whole over the individual component — a philosophy that translates naturally into gin production, where the interplay of botanicals is everything. For those curious about the distillery’s broader range, their Juniperus expression and Moonlight Gin each offer a complementary perspective on what this South Australian producer is capable of.
Botanicals and Flavour Profile
At its foundation, the Field Blend Shiraz Gin is a botanical gin that incorporates Shiraz grape must — the pressed juice of the grape before fermentation is complete — into its production. This is not a gin that simply applies a wine-coloured veneer. The Shiraz element is understood to be woven into the distillation itself, contributing to both aroma and palate in ways that are likely to feel organic rather than ornamental.
Juniper remains present, as it must, though the character here is expected to lean toward the warmer, spiced end of the juniper spectrum rather than the resinous and piney. Alongside this, one might reasonably anticipate the kind of botanical profile that suits the Shiraz grape’s natural companions — dark fruit, pepper, perhaps a suggestion of dried herbs or warm spice. Coriander seed and citrus are common supporting players in Australian gins of this style, providing structure without overwhelming the grape-derived character.
The colour, which tends toward a deep rose or light red, is a natural consequence of the Shiraz inclusion rather than an artificial addition. On the nose, the gin is likely to offer something reminiscent of ripe dark berries with a gentle botanical lift. On the palate, the expectation is a medium-bodied expression with fruit-forward warmth, a degree of vinous richness, and a finish that carries both spice and a lingering softness. Those who have sampled the Barossa Distilling Company, Barossa Shiraz Gin will find an interesting point of comparison here — both gins draw from South Australia’s deep relationship with the Shiraz grape, though each distillery brings its own sensibility to the interpretation.
How to Drink It
The Field Blend Shiraz Gin rewards thoughtful serving. Given its fruit-driven character and the textural depth contributed by the Shiraz grape, we suggest approaching it in a few different ways depending on your preference.
Neat or over a large ice cube: For those who want to understand the gin on its own terms, pouring it over a single large ice cube in a rocks glass allows the aromas to open gradually and the full palate to express itself without dilution overwhelming the more delicate botanical notes.
With tonic: A light, dry tonic is the natural companion here — one that does not compete with the fruit character. Premium Indian tonic or a Mediterranean-style tonic with restrained sweetness would serve well. A balloon glass or large copa will allow the nose room to breathe.
Garnish: Fresh or frozen dark berries — blackberries, blueberries, or a small cluster of red grapes — make an elegant garnish that echoes the gin’s vinous quality. A sprig of fresh thyme adds a herbal counterpoint without clutter.
In a cocktail: The Field Blend Shiraz Gin lends itself to longer, stirred cocktail formats. A simple serve built with the gin, a splash of dry vermouth, and a dash of aromatic bitters — stirred and strained into a chilled coupe — allows its character to anchor the drink without requiring much else. Those inclined toward something shorter might explore it in a negroni variation, substituting it for the base gin and allowing the Shiraz notes to converse with the bitter and sweet vermouth components.
Who Will Appreciate It
This is a gin for the drinker who already appreciates both gin and wine — someone who finds the idea of a botanical spirit shaped by viticulture genuinely compelling rather than merely novel. It will appeal to those with a palate for fruit-forward expressions who nonetheless want the structural integrity of a well-made gin beneath the surface.
It is also a gin worth considering for those who have friends or dining companions who are enthusiastic wine drinkers but less certain about gin. The Field Blend Shiraz Gin occupies a space where the two worlds become conversant, and that can be a useful bridge. It is not a gin that demands prior expertise — it is accessible enough to be appreciated on first encounter — but it rewards the attention of those who bring some background to the glass.
Drinkers who gravitate toward contemporary Australian gins, or who are curious about how terroir expresses itself in distilled spirits, will find it a particularly satisfying subject of study.
A Closing Thought
The Field Blend Shiraz Gin from Prohibition Liquor Co is a considered expression of place — one that draws from South Australia’s identity as both a wine and a spirits region without reducing itself to a novelty. It is honest about what it is and rewarding for those willing to meet it on its own terms. We suggest it to any gin drinker with a genuine curiosity about where this spirit continues to travel.