Never Never Distilling Co.
A career in gin was written in Tim Boast鈥檚 DNA. The lead distiller and co-founder of Never Never Distilling Co. and Bachelor of Commerce graduate鈥檚 grandmother was connected to Gilbey鈥檚 Gin.
鈥淎t family gatherings in the UK, there was always a G&T, sherry or Spanish wine served and accompanied by a story about our connection to the product or industry,鈥 said Tim.
鈥淪adly, when my grandmother passed away, I realised my connection to her and the industry was going to be lost. So I decided that I would start a gin distillery to keep the connections alive.鈥
For fellow co-founder George Georgiadis鈥 passion for 鈥渃omplex flavours and South Australia鈥檚 incredible food and beverage industry鈥 ultimately led him to the brand鈥檚 signature spirit, gin.
Sales and marketing guru Sean Baxter鈥檚 hospitality career saw 鈥測ears working as an ambassador telling other people鈥檚 brand stories [and] it was time to write a few of my own.鈥
Their mutual love of gin is mirrored by the shared connections that initially brought them together, with Tim and George meeting in typical Adelaide fashion.
鈥淭here鈥檚 only one or two degrees of separation between us,鈥 explained Tim.
鈥淲e kind of knew each other, then kind of worked together and had a whole bunch of common friends at the University,鈥 added George.
When Queensland-born Sean later followed his heart to Adelaide, equipped with a wealth of hospitality experience, he was introduced to the duo and the rest, as they say, was history.
鈥淚 studied law with Tim鈥檚 partner Amy, who in turn introduced Tim to Sean through her friend who is now Sean鈥檚 partner. You get the picture,鈥 explained George.
It鈥檚 unsurprising then, that the three understand the value of strong networks.
For George, this stems from his university days where he said his relationships with alumni 鈥渁re still some of my most important relationships today.鈥
For industry veteran Sean, professional and personal relationships underpin some of the most important experiences of his career.
鈥淒rinking knock-off beers with mates who would grow to become some of the most influential hospitality professionals in the country spruiking our gin to every willing punter,鈥 he described.
鈥淟aughing with barbacks who I used to train in my 20s who would later go on to become bartenders, then bar managers, then group managers, then venue owners who would go on to put our gin in every one of their venues.
鈥淭he importance of networks doesn鈥檛 just exist in high flying corporate enterprises, they exist at every level of professional development. Making sure you鈥檙e connected within the industry you operate in is crucial to success.鈥
Since teaming up to launch Never Never Distilling Co. in 2017, George, Sean and Tim have proved to be a winning combination and an industry force to be reckoned with.
Their Southern Strength Gin was named the World鈥檚 Best Classic Gin at the World Gin Awards in London earlier this year, their Juniper Freak Gin was awarded Australia鈥檚 Best Navy Gin, and the distillery earned a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in May last year.
Despite the accolades, the three find equal satisfaction in the little wins.
鈥淎s George always loves to point out, the one constant is that we鈥檙e in the business of moving cases out the door, sometimes it鈥檚 in ones and twos, sometimes it鈥檚 in pallets,鈥 said Sean.
鈥淲e celebrate every win and never forget the importance of cash flow to a small business.鈥
On a personal level, such moments include watching past colleagues and peers enjoy Never Never鈥檚 products.
鈥淚 still remember having a martini made with our gin at Black Pearl in Melbourne, one of Australia鈥檚 best bars and a bar that has taught me so much about bartending. It was a surreal moment,鈥 he said.
And there are more wins yet to come, with the team鈥檚 鈥渇orever home鈥 slated to open in McLaren Vale in late-2019.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always wanted to work in that incredible region where hills, vines and sea come together,鈥 said George.
The trio will 鈥渇inally make that dream a reality鈥 with the new location encompassing distilling operations, a cellar door, bar and tours with views of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges.
鈥淣estled right in the heart of McLaren Vale, it will be the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another,鈥 said Sean.
鈥淩ight from the outset, we have wanted a brand home to call our own. Come December at Chalk Hill, we will finally make that dream a reality.鈥