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Still Magic

By: Marcel Thompson
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  • Summary

  • Hosted by award winning gin distiller and educator Marcel Thompson, the Still Magic podcast provides insights concerning gin making, gin producing, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking gin steeping and everything else in between.

    Each podcast episode brings gin's centuries-long history to life in a contemporary setting, season by season. This includes assessing an array of different gins in efforts to determine what makes a great gin.

    Local and international distillers share their insights as well. You'll receive a rare glimpse into the energy, passion, and desire that manifests itself as wonderful products people enjoy worldwide.

    Collective experiences from episode guests will show that the following principles are as applicable to a gin making journey as any other new, exciting, or challenging endeavour

    •         Simplicity is best;
    •         Less is more;
    •         Inexperience is no barrier to success.

    Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative...
    2020 Still Magic
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Episodes
  • Cameron MacKenzie - Four Pillars

    Cameron MacKenzie - Four Pillars
    Jul 6 2021
    Episode 40 - Legacy Today the Still Magic podcast heads to the Australian state of Victoria to visit Four Pillars Gin, home of world class award-winning gins, internationally acclaimed collaborations and the International Wine and Spirits Competition’s Best Global Gin business in 2019 and 2020. With a pedigree like that, it’s great to see that Australia has a domestic and international craft spirits powerhouse without peer. And it is here that I speak with Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cameron Mackenzie; father of 3 wonderful girls, loving husband, self-confessed kebab-loving larrikin and 1996 Atlanta Olympian. Cameron’s story and that of Four Pillars, is another Hero’s Journey Often referred to as ‘the one that makes the gin’ Cameron’s partnership with Stuart Gregor – ‘the one that makes the noise’ – was forged in the wine industry by happenstance. Cameron loved the physical work that his wine-making career demanded. However, his leaders were concerned that without change, the physicality of the role would impact training for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. A few days a week in a marketing role with Stuart Gregor would be just the balance required. And the rest, as they say is history, and with it, an idea that would ultimately become history in the making. Cameron found himself on a successful career path in wine. But it took him away from the physical side of the industry, the part he loved. Then one day, it was time for a change; the pursuit for an Australian tonic was on. Or so they thought. After taking a good hard look at themselves, followed by a fateful 3am text message, tonic was off the table, but gin was most definitely on; one that reflected Australia, and its place in Asia. A research expedition to the US meant settling on a still from Carl GmbH, mentorship from Dr. Klaus Hagmann, a new found respect for lavender, and a clandestine ‘Breaking Bad’ style venture, using a glass still named Walter A finer story would be hard to script. So grab yourself a gin and tonic, sit back and join Cameron Mackenzie and I on another craft spirits adventure. 00:33 Showreel – 03:25 Respect – 06:08 Making Gin, Noise and Sense – 10:58 Business success 101 – 11:49 Cash drivers – 12:38 Focus – 15:29 Fantastic distributor – 19:00 Craft with scale – 24:04 Breaking Bad and Sergeant Stu – 31:04 Rare Dry Gin – 34:09 Dr. Klaus Hagmann – 40:01 Bloody Shiraz – 49:09 Prolific high-quality NPD – 51:55 Olive Leaf Gin – 56:36 Expansion plans – 1:03:50 Community – 1:08:34 The ’96 Olympian – 1:13:38 Life influences 1: Stuart Gregor – 1:15:23 Life influences 2: Cathy Freeman – 1:17:04 ’96 Olympic pep talks – 1:21::01 Partnership with Lion – 1:29:18 Craft personified 1:32:38 10Sixty 1:35:32 5 tips for starters Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative. Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores Host: Marcel Thompson     @stillmagicway contact@stillmagic.net Still Magic website Four Pillars Gin website Guest contributor: Cameron MacKenzie Voiceovers: Jules Brooke.  Contact here Jules Brooke Editor: Dave Stokes.  Contact here Author2Audio All Rights Reserved
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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • Beth Scott, Distiller - Reefton Distilling Co.

    Beth Scott, Distiller - Reefton Distilling Co.
    Jun 15 2021

    Episode 39 - Guardianship

    Today the Still Magic podcast heads to the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, to visit Reefton Distilling Co., home of Little Biddy Gin and Wild Rain Vodka

    And it is here that we meet Beth Scott, born and raised in nearby Fox Glacier village (formerly Weheka, pop. 249), but now very much at home in the big smoke that is Reefton (pop. 927) "up north".

    Beth took up the distilling reins after a very interesting career odyssey around the South Island, and a short stint overseas. A graduate in Food science and marketing from Otago University, Beth developed a professional interest in food quality, and new product development, coupled with interests in aromatherapy.

    As is often the case, it was an unlikely set of circumstances that brought Beth full circle to Reefton. Beth had heard about an initiative to start a distillery in Reefton around 2017, and decided to invest in the venture. Nick Secker, a fellow university graduate and local, was plucked from relative obscurity in the UK, had the best distilling induction ever, and was then offered the distilling role in the fledgling company. Nick invited Beth and a few other friends to visit Reefton, and magic unfolded after Beth’s discussion with CEO and founder Patsy Bass. Serendipity writ large yet again.

    Experience in food science. New product development. Aromatherapy. Marketing. Energy. Enthusiasm. And a strong sense of guardianship.

    A finer array of skills, tailor-made for a craft spirits operation would be hard to find.

    And the rest as they say is history… that is, history in the making.

    So grab yourself a gin and tonic, sit back and join Beth Scott and I on another craft spirits adventure.

    Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.

    Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

    Host: Marcel Thompson    

    @stillmagicway contact@stillmagic.net

    Still Magic website

    Reefton Distilling Co. website

    Guest contributor: Beth Scott

    Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

    Contact here Jules Brooke

    Editor: Dave Stokes. 

    Contact here Author2Audio

    All Rights Reserved
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    55 mins
  • Patsy Bass, Founder - Reefton Distilling Co.

    Patsy Bass, Founder - Reefton Distilling Co.
    May 24 2021

    Episode 38 - Guardianship & Legacy

    This podcast describes an epic call to adventure; an absolute must-listen for anyone considering a future in craft spirits.

    Patsy Bass is the founder and CEO of Reefton Distilling Co. located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, in Patsy's hometown of Reefton, population ~ 1,000 ... on a good day. 

    Despite a family move to Christchurch, in efforts to take on opportunities there, one thing was truly clear to Patsy from the age of 16; you can never take Reefton out of the lass. After all, Reefton is her turangawaewae, a place to stand.

    Patsy's formative years and a successful project delivery career were anchored in Christchurch, but the unfulfilled yearning for Reefton – one shared with her siblings – never wavered. The question then became how do I return home?

    Patsy and her husband Shane Thrower found themselves planning and considering a few business ideas to support their return. These included ventures with gold, mountain biking and as a bit of a throw-away giggle, a distillery. And this, from a tee-totaller born on a former brewery site.

    The word “serendipity” is often used to describe how a chance meeting can influence one’s journey through life. And so it was for Patsy, via a casual chat with local legends Steffan and Nigel MacKay on Broadway, Reefton’s main street.

    This prompted Patsy to forgo all ideas in favour of a distillery and crafting a business case. An effusive business case review from a long-term mentor led to Patsy taking a flight to Auckland, New Zealand’s most populous city.

    A meeting with some interested parties took place and Patsy received directions that would change her life, her family’s life and the lives of an entire town.

    Think Bigger

    The impact was so profound, the long-time tee-totaller felt compelled to have a tipple. And the rest, as you will see, is history. That is, history in the making.

    Reefton Distilling Co. are noted for their award-winning gin range, inspired by mining legend Bridget Goodwin – aka Little Biddy – and Wild Rain Vodka inspired by rain that falls at night. There are plans for a whiskey too, one that pays homage to another local legend, George Fairweather Moonlight.

    Join me and meet the most fabulous Patsy Bass, a craft spirits leader with an unrivalled sense of purpose, and a 100-year vision to revitalise a town at a pace and scale unseen in decades.

    Patsy epitomises the Still Magic ethos superbly thus:

    Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Create your spirits narrative

    Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

    Additional Podcast Reference Links

    Reefton Distilling Co. website

    Little Biddy Gin website

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Host: Marcel Thompson    

    @stillmagicway

    Still Magic website

    contact@stillmagic.net

    Guest contributor: Patsy Bass

    Voiceovers: Jules Brooke. 

    Contact here Jules Brooke

    Editor: Dave Stokes. 

    Contact here Author2Audio

    All Rights Reserved
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    1 hr and 6 mins
Economics
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