Archie Rose Distilling Co has unveiled a world-first creation, a gin featuring ethically caught John Dory at its heart.

The Archie Rose x Saint Peter Gin is a collaboration with Josh Niland’s Saint Peter, recently awarded three hats in the 2025 Good Food Guide. Saint Peter and Archie Rose shared commitment to the provenance and integrity of locally sourced ingredients, and the pursuit of flavour without waste.

Drawing from the traditional pechuga mezcal process, in which mezcal is distilled with meat, John Dory carcasses were meticulously prepared at Saint Peter restaurant, dried in-house over the restaurant’s woodfire for 24 hours and then dehydrated with salt before distillation.

The resulting distillate delivered an unexpected complexity, with the recipe elevated by green Kampot peppercorns grown by John and Lyndall Picone of Picone Exotics in Mullumbimby, NSW, lending a fragrant lift and refined spice.

Archie Rose’s Master Distiller Dave Withers and Saint Peter’s Bar Manager Samuel Cocks worked together on the one-of-a-kind collaboration, inspired by Saint Peter’s pioneering fin-to-scale philosophy.

Withers said: “In collaborating with the Saint Peter team, our aim was to craft a gin to rival the complex, layered and refined nature of any dish on the menu at Saint Peter.

“The final gin honours the incredible quality ingredients, including air dried John Dory carcass, delivering their unique flavours with restraint and sophistication.”

Cocks said: “It was a real highlight to work hand-in-hand with Dave in bringing this pioneering gin to life. The John Dory Gin’s distinctive umami profile pairs beautifully with Saint Peter’s cuisine, creating a unique tasting experience that showcases how the spirit interacts with food in a way rarely explored in distilling.”

The signature Archie Rose x Saint Peter cocktail, Frangipani & Pine, crafted by Cocks, will be featured on the restaurant’s menu for a limited time this summer.

Niland said:, “It has been a privilege to work with the incredibly gifted Archie Rose team. The flavours and techniques developed in this spirit are a credit to all involved. We can’t wait to share this with you.”

The Archie Rose x Saint Peter Gin is available in limited quantities of just 2000 bottles, RRP $84, at Archie Rose Cellar Door, archierose.com.au.