Odelia Potts
Director and Spirits Architect, Kings Cross Distillery
Odelia Potts, Director and Spirits Architect, established Kings Cross Distillery out of a love and passion for Australian craft gin. Kings Cross Distillery is a manufacturer of handcrafted premium spirits inspired by the Kings Cross/Potts Point Precinct and its surrounding areas. The bar and restaurant which launched on October 1st offers shareplates, designed to accompany the custom drinks. Odelia’s husband, Khare Aoun, believed that she was more than capable of making gin herself, and so the story of the Kings Cross Distillery began.
Kings Cross Distillery
Kings Cross Distillery is a unique venue where guests can tour the facility, learn a brief history of the area, pick-up a bottle of gin from the distillery door, book into workshops and talks, and perhaps even see hands-on production of how distilleries operate on a micro-level when we are operating the still or bottling line. Being a ‘drinker’ is not a necessity to enjoy a concoction at the venue. They serve alcohol-free cocktails as well, which are made with non-alcoholic distillates, and have their own unique flavour profile and others which have been designed to mimic the flavour of popular spirits.
Early career and impact on her life
Odelia was exposed to aromatherapy essential oils and international gastronomy from an early aged which helped her gain an appreciation for the sensory experience of both taste and smell. She claims this as the reason that she enjoyed drinking good gin from craft distilleries. Attending the University of Adelaide, it was here that she learnt about the business and fundamentals of distillation in Australia. She recounts the course as quite intense having many students coming from backgrounds of oenology, brewing or agriculture. There have been students that completed the course who have since become some of the best-known Australian distillers.
Coming from a legal background and a construction business, Odelia and her husband have been able to combine their knowledge to see through the project of physically building the distillery in a high-density heritage area. She credits the success of the renovation to the skill and business acumen of her husband.
Reflecting on how far they’ve come, she also adds “this has all been made possible because of the moral support and belief that my husband has in me. I could not have done this without him. I have now become more and more confident in what I will be able to achieve with the business. It’s also made possible because I have a great team around me that I can count under my direction and with their experience who are able to help my vision become a reality.”
Avenue Republic got the opportunity to ask Odelia about the impact that her time studying spirit production in a male dominated industry taught her, noting that she is one of fifty listed female distillers in the country. Her opening sentiment was that it revived her “competitive spirit. As a mum and now a distiller and businesswoman in a male dominated industry, I see things with different eyes. Being in this industry reminds me of the statistics of women who do not apply for jobs because they do not full every single criterion, versus men who will apply regardless of not having all the criteria and give it a crack. It is a similar situation. I like perfection and males generally have an attitude of ‘it will do’. That is why I have a close team that gives me that cheer to continue when I doubt myself. I think for most females, we must fight harder and speak up, without reservation or apology, to be heard and respected. I am learning to speak up without apology.” The rise of women in the industry is certainly something that Odelia hopes to see in an industry where “females can have a huge impact because genetically we have more taste buds and a higher percentage of women perceive tastes, especially bitter tastes more intensely than men. The olfactory bulb in women has 43% more cells than in men. We need to come out of the dark ages. Long gone are the days where gentlemen retired to the library to enjoy a scotch with their pals whilst the women retired to do cross stitch. Females can, equal to men in this industry, make great tasting spirits.”
The growth of Kings Cross Distillery
Pointing out that the growth of the business has been organic, Odelia states that they engaged the expertise of Ben Moechtar, a Certified Sommelier, who is the General Manager of Kings Cross Distillery, to assist in the production management of the distillery and the establishment of the bar and kitchen. Ben’s expertise as a wine judge and sommelier examiner, as well as being the inaugural President of the Australian Sommeliers Association and an industry expert generally, gave the business the confidence to believe that was they were doing and creating was of a high standard. This was and continues to be tested by blind tastings where they hide their gins amongst others to see what the outcome is. She says, “I get very nervous to get his tasting notes and scores and intensely look at his face to see if I might see an ‘ah ha’ surprise expression. He is a hard critique, and it gives me fire in the belly to do the extraordinary!”
Mentorship and support have also been critical to the continuous growth and rapid success of the business. Odelia has a mentor from another Sydney distillery, Mobius Distilling, who has given her “the practical training and confidence to distil using my pot still, Miss Pottsy.” The support of her husband has also been critical to the perseverance and determination of the business, “he believes that I can nail this business. He is fearless in business. Without him, I really would not have the courage to do this. It would have stayed as a dream if it was left to me.” The duo acquired that site of the Kings Cross Distillery almost two years ago and have spent the time ever since renovating to the point that Odelia could step in to begin the production of gin and establish the vision for the brand and venue. Overcoming her fear of failure and coming out of her shell was a defining moment of Odelia’s establishment of the Kings Cross Distillery saying, “it is too late to fail now. I have no choice but to charge forward and take a leap of faith. It is now or never!”
Core values of the Kings Cross Distillery and investment
Being a mum first and a distiller second, Odelia believes, has been the key to success to date. Her core attributes are her love of all things olfactory which drives her experimentation with flavours and textures, as well as her attention to detail and a need to do ‘everything properly or not do it at all.’ She further states, “when you buy a bottle of Kings Cross Distillery Gin, know that you have acquired a bottle made with a lot of love and good intent.” Her advice to other entrepreneurs looking to build on their idea or passion is to get help where you have identified you have weaknesses, “believe it or not, there are people that can do the things you dread to do and can easily do it! I have had to learn to let go in these instances and accept, if I am going to do a good job of this, I must direct the show and not play every part of the show! I love that saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.
Future for Kings Cross Distillery
The Kings Cross Distillery has plans to open another Kings Cross Distillery Bar and Restaurant in Parramatta, contributing to the growing food and beverage scene of Western Sydney. Odelia also has hopes to have their own farm growing all their own organic botanicals to be used in the restaurants and products, saying that she loves “the paddock to plate (and bottle) concept. It would certainly be a place where we could make and store our aging Rum and Whisky barrels.” There are also plans in the pipeline to include other gin expressions, vodka, whisky, arak and non-alcoholic distillates.
Odelia’s advice and sources of inspiration
Odelia’s advice to other people starting out on their own is “don’t ever pigeonhole yourself and think you can’t get there. Dream big and with passion. Surround yourself with people that bring you up.” She also says to not be afraid to want and be something better. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people and people whose experience can broaden your horizons is beneficial, also “be honest with yourself. Definitely, trust your intuition.”
When asked if she has any female inspirational figures whom she draws on for support or expertise, Odelia exclaims that she admires women in positions of leadership. In addition to that, she admires “mothers who are the leaders of their home, who are dedicated to the raising of their children and who consistently show a good example to their children. Those mothers who maintain a consistent high energy and give every bit of themselves, for the improvement of their children’s lives. Those mothers who put themselves last, and without second thought. Those mothers are raising the future. Admittedly, there are many wonderful fathers that are also doing their part in being actively involved in the home and raising their children. They also deserve a special mention.” This beautiful advice is an important sentiment that anyone who has an idea they want to action, can achieve it, regardless of the barriers they feel they are up against.
Want to find out more about the Kings Cross Distillery?
Website: https://www.kingscrossdistillery.com.au/