TDI Monthly Newsletter - August 2023

Welcome to the August TDI newsletter.

Key dates for the season:

If you haven’t already done so, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Calling all distillers to join the $100 limit excise freeze campaign

On the back of recent news that excise for Australian spirits has just hit $100.05 per LAL, the Australian Distillers Association is asking all Australian distillers to join the approach to local Ministers proposing a freeze on alcohol excise.

“Spirits & Cocktails Australia and Australian Distillers Association will use this milestone to proactively call on the Federal Government to freeze spirits excise at the 1 August 2023 rate.

Freezing spirits excise will provide immediate relief to spirits producers, allowing time for industry and government to work together to get the policy settings right to support sustainable growth.”

It has released a set of resources for distillers to use to send views to Ministers which can be found in this handbook.

What we love about Tasmanian Whisky Week

It is always an exciting time when Tasmanian Whisky Week comes along.

For the Team at TDI, Tasmanian Whisky Week has a special place in our hearts not only because we’re based in Tasmania but also because of the role one of our Directors Brett has played in its history.

Tasmanian Whisky Week is also a perfect example of how place-based marketing and the groundswell that can be generated around a festival or series of events can really lift the exposure of a regional market.

Have a look at the events for Tasmanian Whisky Week, 7 - 13 August 2023.

Is now a good economic time to start a business?

We have been asked recently, ‘is now is a good time to start a new business?’

It's a good one given that times are tight and markets are demonstrating economic challenges.

This is a critical issue to consider before opening any business, at any time.

The Distillers Institute can help you work through if the step into the industry is the right one for you, and our Planning course can help you work out ‘is distilling right for me now, in the future, or at all?’

Our view is that anyone who is thinking of starting a new distilling business, certainly needs to understand what’s ahead.

There are a few key points.

The first is that it will take you some time to get up and running and the timeframes, costs and level of complexity around the business will be heavily dependent on aspects such as how big your business will be, what you’re planning to make and how and critically what you hope to achieve out of the business long term.

The flip side is that this is a great industry to be in.

So, if you are thinking this is something that you want to pursue, then go through the process of getting the business and the business model right first.

Details at www.thedistillersinstitute.com or link for our Kiwi friends www.thedistillersinstitute.co.nz.

Pregnancy Labeling requirements now in effect

Distillers in Australia and New Zealand must now comply with the Pregnancy Labeling requirements on spirits with alcohol volume of more than 1.5% ABV for retail sale, as articulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

New Zealand and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (DSA) update

Thanks to Richard Wilson from the DSA who has provided relevant updates for our New Zealand students.

The DSA is asking its members for input into its five year strategy, and initiatives around conference and events. Find a link to the survey here.

The DSA Women’s Network is a great way for ladies of the industry to build connections and support each other.

Our Director, Anne, reached out to this wonderful group this month and encourages ladies to contact Angela Davis who can help with further information.

The New Zealand Spirit Working Group will be gathering this month to set up and set out the terms of reference for the new group.

Masterclass webinar - Lucy Bloomfield on Selling High-End Goods Online

We’re inviting current students to join our Masterclass webinar on Thursday 17 August with Lucy Bloomfield at 6.30pm AEDT (6pm SA time).

Lucy Bloomfield took her first skin care business from 0 to 10,000 customers in 18 months, then started coaching companies on how to do the same thing in 2019.

Having taken six organisations from $0 to $1 million in the past three years, she turned her intellectual property and system for doing this into a full-service agency, which specialises in luxury, high-end goods.

Having sold millions of dollars of premium goods and services, there's a certain approach that works with luxury online and it's NOT what you see in your feed.

Attend this event to learn what it is.

As she explains:

“The advice on the internet will have you believing that you need to hustle more sales and progressively and aggressively discount your products just to get someone over the line.... but is that the right move strategically when you sell high-end products?”

With over a decade of selling premium goods online, Lucy will share why she can quantifiably say - no.

Absolutely not.

She believes there is something much, MUCH more effective that you could be doing to capture the attention (and cash) of your discerning liquor purchasers....

A link will be sent via email to all current ‘Planning’ and ‘Launching’ course students, and via the private Facebook group.

This Masterclass webinar is ONLY open to students.

If you’re interested, join the course here.

Masterclass Review - Dale Williams, Eden Distillery

The Eden Distillery Masterclass was a great exploration of how to build a discrete distillery on a rural property.

Dale shared the experience of having a distillery in the foothills of Hobart’s Kunanyi (Mt Wellington), and how they have built their small stable of hand-crafted releases for the local market.

This webinar is available to students and is now in the Student Masterclass webinar library.

Successes

Congrats to all our students who have gained licences to manufacture alcohol from the Australian Tax Office this month.

A great milestone and as we like to say the good work is done, the tough work begins.

Some call-outs from the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in Melbourne this month including students Puss & Mew named as the Champion Victorian Distiller and 30 Knots winning Best Design for its Southerly Gin.

Hats off to all our students with the following awards:

Gold

Lilyfields, Juniper Dry Gin
Little Ridge, On The Ridge Dry Gin
The Primary Goods Co, Dovetail Gin
Central Coast Distilling, Signature Gin
Puss & Mew, Navy Strength Gin
Nine Circles Distillery, Pink Gin
Tan Lines Distilling, Vodka

Silver

Tinberry Distilling, Dry Gin
Lilyfields, Sydney Dry Gin
Heaps Good Spirits, Heaps Good Gin
Little Ridge, Citrus Dry Gin
Tinberry Distilling, Olida Gin
Darwin Distilling Co, Tropical Monsoon
Lord Howe Island Distilling, Waratahs Signature Gin and Wild Lemon and Hibiscus Gin and Waratah Scrum Strength Gin and Barrel Aged Gin
30 Knots Spirits, 30 Knots Southerly Gin and Spiced Rum
Puss & Mew Coffee Liqueur

Bronze

Central Coast Distillery, Citrus Shift Gin
Tinberry Distilling, Signature Gin
Lord Howe Island Distilling Co, SUFC 160 Gin and Wolfe Rock Gin
Tan Lines Distilling, Tan Lines Gin and Tan Lines Pink Gin
Nine Circles Distillery, Australian Dry Gin and Vodka
Darwin Distilling Co, Lady of the North
Little Ridge, Aged Vodka
Primary Good Co, Renegat Ultra Premium Vodka
Lilyfields Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
Sarina Sugar Shed, Sugar Shed Liqueur
30 Knots, Mellow Gin
Twin Bridges Distillery, Downstream After Dark Gin

If you have any news, we’d love to hear from you. Jump over to our Facebook page and let us know how you’re going.

So, are you a curious TDI newbie?

Stay safe and we look forward to catching up with you next month.

Regards,

Anne, Troy, Brett, Ian and Marcel

The Distillers Institute

TDI Monthly Newsletter - August 2023

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