Former spirit industry professional Eddie Brook and the award-winning Scottish distiller Jim McEwan have left the city life for the sleepy retreat of Byron Bay to set up their own distillery and create a premium spirit that promotes sustainability for the local rainforest. Many in the industry will recognise Brook from his days at SouthTrade and McEwan as one of the world’s best distillers. The two formed…

BACARDÍ has released the second episode of its three-part video series, Party Talks, which explores the state of Australian nightlife in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, shining a light on what keeps the country’s key cultural curators going and up at night. Watch the Brisbane ‘Party Talks’ here. The latest episode was shot around the recent House of Bacardi party in Sydney and features insights from some …

Canadian Club has announced the continuation of its partnership with the Australian Open as the official spirit and exclusive dark spirit. To celebrate, the Canadian Club Racquet Club will be making it way across the country with NSW and QLD also on the map this year.Last year the activation was placed Last year the activation was placed at Birrarung Marr, the location of the Australian Open Festival. For…

Family-owned Australian distributor of premium spirits and liqueurs Think Spirits has recently launched its own fresh fig liqueur, a landmark event for the company. Esprit de Figues is a brand that the Think Spirits team, lead by Managing Director Patrick Borg, created from scratch. Inspired by Borg’s Mediterranean heritage, Esprit de Figues has been crafted from his mother’s favourite fruit. Upon her mig…

Natalie Fryar, previously sparkling winemaker for Jansz Tasmania, is now the proud owner of her own gin brand in the southern state. Setting up shop permanently in Tasmania, Fryar has partnered with co-owner and new business partner, Kim Seagram, to launch The Abel Gin Company. Fryar and Seagram are currently making the gin using their own still named Genevive out at Launceston Airport’s heritage-listed H…

Chivas Regal has released its first-ever blended malt Scotch whisky, Ultis, which honours both the Speyside region and former and current Master Blenders. The whisky is a blend of five signature single malts from five areas of Speyside in Scotland – from Tormore to Longmorn, Strathisla, Allt A’Bhainne and Braeval. Chivas’ unique blending team selected the five signature malts from an inventory of some one…

Bacardí Legacy announced its national finalists, dubbed the Three Most Promising, at the Semi-Final cocktail party held at Deus Bar + Kitchen in Sydney last night. Dave Kerr from The Beaufort & Ike’s in Victoria, Joshua O’Brien from The Bowery in Queensland and Ryan Snedden from The Lobo Plantation in New South Wales have triumphed through the initial entries, Top 50 tasting tour and the Top 8 Semi-Fi…

Husk Distillers is releasing a limited edition rum to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its hometown of the village of Tumbulgum in NSW. 1866 Tumbulgum Rum will be launched as part of the Tweed River Festival in Tumbulgum on November 12. The first bottle of 1866 Tumbulgum Rum will be auctioned online, with proceeds donated to the Tumbulgum Community Association to continue improving and enriching village…

Bacardi Martini Australia is now distributing Rutte Gin, as part of the integration of the Dutch family-owned company, De Kuyper Roal Distillers, into its portfolio in 2011. A range of the Holland gins will be available in 2017, including the Rutte Old Simon Genever and Rutte Celery Gin expressions. Rutte Gin’s heritage resides in the city of Dordrecht near Rotterdamn, Holland. Founded in 1872, the distil…

Following the success of its hand-crafted gin, vodka, and whiskey, Sydney-based Archie Rose Distilling Co. will release its first limited edition offering inspired by traditional French Colonial agricole rhums: Virgin Cane Spirit. Rhum agricole is the French term for rum made from cane juice. “The spirit will come as something of a surprise” for people who are more familiar with common rum, says Archie Ro…