Sydney interior designer Brendan Wong has teamed up with Archie Rose for a limited edition gin that blurs the line between mathematical precision and art.

“I’ve always been fascinated by string based sculpture, installations and art,” Wong tells ADR of the label design.

“A single linear piece of string can be geometrically arranged to create depth, shadow and form. It’s where mathematical precision meets art, like good interior design.” 

The limited edition bottle is available on the Archie Rose website until February 2022, and is one of a series of collaborations between the Sydney spirits distiller and Australian interior designers.

Melbourne’s Mim Fanning and Hana Hakim of The Stella Collective have also contributed designs for the limited edition collection.

With vibrantly coloured strings overlapping and intersecting, Wong’s label mimics techniques used in suspension bridge engineering or weaving a textile or rug.

Arranging and blending different strings for a harmonious result, he says the design is “akin to a tailored blended spirit” from Archie Rose.

“String art is inherently tailored as no two pieces are exactly the same. The pattern of their arrangement can be pushed and pulled, tucked over and under; truly tailored to create a unique design.  Translating this idea to the label involved a significant process of tailoring itself,” he says.

“The message is intended to evoke thought between the parallels of visual design and blending of spirit flavours.”

Wong’s unique label design is featured in Archie Rose’s Limited Release Tailored Spirits collection. Here, anyone can channel their inner distiller by creating their own blend of botanical notes from ingredients like pink peppercorn, river mint and sunrise lime.

As part of the collaboration, Wong has penned his own signature dry Tailored Gin infused with spiced, citrus characteristics.

“My blend starts with a generous splash of lemon scented gum to get the citrus juices flowing,’ he says.

“Then I’ve added coriander in seed form, which is discreetly herbal and quite unlike fresh coriander, which can be intense.  This is finished with just a dash of orange peel to round out the citrus.” 

A subtle blend perfect for spring and summer, Wong says he’s used his tailored gin in desserts, reducing with sugar, tonic and thinly sliced lemons for a zingy syrup to pour over cakes and pavlovas.

It’s also the key ingredient in the designer’s signature Gin Gimlet.

“With so much time at home recently I’ve enjoyed a Gimlet as I’ve taught myself a few old school games like backgammon and coincidentally, gin rummy,” he says. 

“Always with music and pistachios.”

Intrigued, we asked Wong to share his recipe in what has to be an ADR first!

So grab your bottle of the Limited Release gin before it sells out and kick back with a card game or two… and maybe an equal number of Wong’s addictively easy gimlet.

Brendan Wong’s Gin Gimlet

A 1920’s classic, it’s simple:

• 2 shots of Archie Rose gin
• 1 shot fresh lime juice
• ½ shot simple (sugar) syrup

Shake over ice then strain, pour and garnish with a slice of lime on the rim of a martini glass. 

To celebrate the release of Archie Rose’s collaboration with three of the country’s best interior designers, ADR will also be featuring interviews with Miriam Fanning and Hana Hakim in the coming months.

Win one of five prize packs featuring three Limited Edition designer bottles, valued at $297, by filling out the form below and following @ausdesignreview and @archierosesyd on Instagram.

This competition is closed.

Photography: Toby Burrows unless otherwise specified.