El Cuatro is Four Pillars' love letter to Mexico, distilled at the Yarra Valley distillery and built with one clear purpose: to make a very good margarita using gin instead of tequila.
Whole dried habanero chillies go straight into the pot of the still, contributing a lovely floral, fruity fragrance without the burn. Mexican oregano joins them among the dry botanicals, adding a savoury, herbal lift, while finger lime and grapefruit sit in the botanical basket for freshness. Bitter Seville orange peel brings a marmalade depth, ginger and cardamom add quiet structure underneath, and a touch of agave nectar goes in after distillation to round out the body.
The result is fragrant and savoury with a soft sweetness and plenty of citrus drive. It makes an excellent margarita, works beautifully in a paloma, and is more than happy in a straightforward gin and tonic with a wedge of lime.