• Brix Distillers has gone into voluntary administration. (Image: Expedition Trade)
    Brix Distillers has gone into voluntary administration. (Image: Expedition Trade)
Close×

Sydney-based craft rum producer, Sydney Distilling Co Pty Ltd, trading as Brix Distillers, has entered voluntary administration, with Ben Carson and Richard Stone from RSM Australia Partners appointed as Joint and Several Voluntary Administrators on 21 January 2026.

Founded in 2017, Brix Distillers was Australia’s first dedicated craft rum distillery, operating a production site alongside a cellar door and bar in Surry Hills. The business built a strong reputation in the premium rum category, with multiple awards and a focus on locally produced, barrel-aged Australian rum.

RSM Australia director, Ben Carson, said the administrators are assessing all available options for the business, including a potential sale of assets or a recapitalisation via a deed of company arrangement (DOCA).

“As administrators, our priority is to explore every available option to achieve the best possible outcome for not only creditors, but for a legacy Australian distillery brand – including pursuing a sale of the business and its assets,” Carson said.

He confirmed that discussions are underway with several interested parties regarding the future of the brand and distillery.

“We are currently speaking to a number of parties who have expressed interest in the future of this premium craft rum brand and business. We are greatly encouraged by the interest shown in the brand and available assets and are hopeful of executing a sale or entering into a DOCA,” he said.

Carson also noted that the company holds one of the largest private inventories of Australian rum in the country, a factor expected to attract interest from both wholesalers and potential buyers seeking to acquire an established distillery and brand with mature stock on hand.

Administrators have written to creditors advising them of their appointment and confirming that the first creditors’ meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 February.

A formal sales process is now underway, with interested parties invited to submit non-binding indicative offers over the next 10 days. Parties seeking further information have been advised to contact the administrators directly.

The administration marks a significant moment for Australia’s craft spirits sector, with Brix widely regarded as a pioneer of locally made premium rum and a prominent player in Sydney’s spirits landscape.

Packaging News

In an initiative led by Viva Energy in partnership with Nestlé, a limited run of KitKat chocolate bars wrapped in locally manufactured recycled PP is rolling out to stores nationwide, demonstrating the potential for locally collected soft plastics to be returned to food-grade packaging in Australia.

Three Gold awards and a Silver saw RePlay top the medal tally in this year's PIDA awards. But behind the accolades lies an equally important story: the practical challenges of making reusable packaging systems commercially viable.

Australia's peak paper industry association has rebranded as the APPIA, reflecting what it says is the growing importance of fibre-based packaging across Australia and New Zealand.