January 25th, 2026Of all the gin joints
Daylesford Spirit Cellar Door is the new kid on the block on Daylesford’s main street. And The Spirit is what people are already calling the Gin Spot at 45 Vincent Street, the space emanates a New York style bar, in the heart of Victoria’s Spa Country.
The production facility, where everything is bottled with a locally sourced ethos is based out of Mount Franklin and headed by Michael Samootin, who has decided to expand the spirit of his carefully considered distillation to the town.
First up, the cellar door is more of a bespoke cocktail lounge with plenty of comfy leather couches, mood lighting and cool music with a regular schedule of live jazz and blues.
With the product lines of gin, whisky and vodka all made by hand, there are plenty of cocktails to experience while kicking back and enjoying the ambience. To accompany your cocktail, you can enjoy a variety of locally sourced charcuterie plates, Long Paddock cheese platters and smaller tapas-style dishes. For the beer and wine lovers, there is also wine and beer available.
Michael said people are already loving “The Spirit” – with many saying it is providing something that has been missing from the town for a while. But there’s more…Gin Masterclasses on offer. And if anyone knows gin, it’s Michael.
The classes run for two hours and include an educative discussion about the origins of gin, the importance of botanicals and then a chance to make your own 500ml bottle of gin to take home.
The label doubles as a certificate of completion – along with personal tasting notes from Michael. Michael wants all his gin lovers who attend to have a bottled experience to take home, and re-order should they wish.
When summing up his role as a distiller Michael says:
“The experience of being a distiller is something I’m now sharing to the public and helping them learn how gin is made. Everyone gets a set of scales, a little beaker, and then they make up their own little mix. They’ve got the opportunity to understand the profile of the botanicals and the flavour profiles it gives in the gin as well. Once the gin is cut back with water, to about 40 per cent proof from 80 per cent, there is also the opportunity to have a cocktail made with each person’s personalised gin. It’s quite a beautiful and unique experience.”
Michael said it also gives people the chance to drink gin without the need for tonic to mask the flavours.
“Commercial gin is not great, and many people need the tonic but with artisan gin you can drink it on ice or just with a bit of soda.”
And the world agrees about that quality. Michael has won medals in London, San Francisco, Singapore and Australia – with the Miner’s Gin Navy Strength winning double gold in San Francisco (98/100 points), and Best in Class in Singapore (100/100 points).
Gin Masterclasses are $175 per person and include a cocktail on arrival. You can book groups up to 14 people. A must to do when visiting Daylesford.
Bookings at can be made by visiting www.daylesfordspirit.com.au or email Michael at msamootin@daylesfordspirit.com.au
Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes (More images at tlnews.com.au)
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