The Red Duck owner recently purchased a distillery from Hobart with friend and distilling partner Chris Pratt and will officially launch their new gin and whiskey label Kilderkin in February.  

The company will be Ballarat’s first distillery since the 1930s, when the Ballarat Distillery was bought out by a Melbourne-based company. 

Mr Wilson-Browne said gin was currently undergoing a similar transformation to craft beer, and the business would focus on developing quality small-batch spirits.

“Everyone loves gin at the moment, and the great thing is unlike whiskey we can make it in a matter of weeks.”

The pair aim to have their first gin available at Red Duck’s Alfredton showroom by next Sunday.