Bundaberg’s roving mini-distillery, boutique bar and tasting venue will be making the rounds of Australian food and drink festivals over the next three years. Last Friday it could be found at The Rock’s in Sydney for the Vino Paradiso wine festival. Michael Hughson reports.
Get along to the Bundaberg Distillatorium and step into the world of Australia’s biggest rum distiller. Built at a cost of $1.2 million, the Distillatorium is all about bringing the Bundaberg rum experience to a wider audience. A particular focus is to showcase the Master Distiller’s Collection, the company’s developing range of premium rums.
So far Bundaberg is enjoying considerable success in this pursuit. At the recent 2015 International Wine and Spirits Competition, its rums brought in two silver medals and a bronze, adding to an already extensive trophy case.
An intimate tasting room is also incorporated into the Distillatorium, offering visitors an insight into the processes that turn out the rums of the Master Distiller’s Collection – from cane field to store shelf.
A crucial aspect of taking its rum to the premium level has been looking further afield for the barrels in which it is aged. They are now sourced internationally, so as to bring in a greater variety of flavours to an Australian classic. Careful blending of the rums at the end of this process then ensures the consistent quality that Bundaberg customers have come to expect.
The overarching goal of all this is to broaden Bundaberg’s product offerings, and tap into what is a growing global market for luxury alcoholic beverages.
