TDI Monthly Newsletter - July 2023

Welcome to the July TDI newsletter. 

Key dates for the season:

Multiple dates - WhiskyLive events nationally
3 August - Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 
7 - 13 August - Tasmanian Whisky Week
18-20 August - Perth Gin Festival
26-27 August - Junipalooza Sydney

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

De-risking the decision to start distilling 

We have been asked a lot about ‘what is the right time to start distilling’ and in changing economic times, is ‘now a good time for my idea’?

These are all great questions and there are a few things to consider if you are thinking of opening your own distillery, many of which we cover in the ‘Planning your Successful Distillery’ course.

The first thing to deeply understand is that opening a distillery, like any business, is a serious venture that takes vision, planning and commitment.

So if you are thinking of changing the direction of your career and you can afford to commit the time and investment into creating a successful business, then you are thinking about it the right way.

This approach applies no matter whether you are planning to open a small and discrete business that you intend to finance yourself, or a larger export focused business with investors.
The Distillers Institute courses are ideally suited to people who are either: 

1. Committed to the vision of creating a successful business and need help to work through all the steps, or
2. Trying to decide if a distillery business is a viable decision for them. 

Our vision at The Distillers Institute is to ensure that anyone planning to open a distillery has the right tools, advice and support they need to successfully do so, and by working through our ‘Planning’ course, distillery business owners have the right advice to confidently say ‘yes this is for me’, ‘not for me’ or ‘it’s not the right time’.

Reach out to the team or visit our courses for more information.

Four Pillars bought by Lion

Big news for Australian distilling this month with the announcement that the famous Four Pillars Gin has been bought out by its beer-based partner Lion ($40m for 50% four years ago, and last week, $50m for the other 50% - $90m all up). 

This is incredible news for the four Founders of Four Pillars and is a historic moment for Australian distilling.

Update on ATO record keeping

For anyone starting out or established in distilling, it is important to keep up to date with requirements from your licencing authority. 

Here is the most recent update from the ATO in regards record keeping for Australian distilleries.

Pregnancy Labelling requirements come into effect 31 July

Distillers in Australia and New Zealand must, by 31 July 2023, comply with the Pregnancy Labelling requirements on spirits with alcohol volume of more than 1.5% ABV for retail sale, as articulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

NZ and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa update

Congrats to the DSA Board members and Richard Wilson for recent re-election as Chair of the DSA. 

If you are a New Zealand distiller you should be a member of the DSA - the following updates are sent to members.

Richard has highlighted a few key consultations in New Zealand relevant to distillers including: 

• Food and Beverage Industry Transformation Plan

• Glass Recycling Consultation

•  Annual Mock Recalls, and

• Noting changes to regnancy labelling also relevant to New Zealand.
  

More at the DSA website.

Technical distilling course with the IBD

The Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) special two-day distilling masterclass course in Hobart, Tasmania on 21-22 September is filling quickly. 

The course, run by the Tasmanian Whisky Academy and led by technical specialist Ian Thorn, will cover the critical technical elements of distilling and distillery operations aligned with the General Certificate of Distilling. 

Booking and further details here.

Australian Bartender Awards

This month the Australian Bartender Awards are announced across a range of categories. 

Delivered by the Australian Bartender Magazine, the awards recognise the best bars, teams and individuals in the bar industry. Details at Australian Bartender Magazine

Australian Distilled Spirits Awards Trophy Presentation

The Australian Distilled Spirits Awards presentation is coming up on Thursday 3 August. 

Celebrating great spirits across the nation, the awards are a highlight on the calendar.

Rum Awards

Designed to put a spotlight on Australian rum and its producers, the Australian Rum Awards are now open.

Student Masterclass - Dale and Claire Williams, Eden Distillery

We’re inviting current students to join our Masterclass webinar on Thursday 20 July with Dale Williams from Eden Whisky, at 6.30pm AEDT (6pm SA time). 

Dale and Claire Williams are whisky and nature lovers, who had a vision to share the beauty of place, their product and process with kindred spirits - those who love great whisky, nature and friendships.

Nestled on 33 acres, in the foothills of Hobart’s Kunanyi (Mt Wellington), the Williams’ have built their business not only around making great and unique whiskies as small batch releases but also on connecting with people interested in their spirits and inviting purchases of their spirit to visit, to see, smell, taste and learn what the spirit of the mountain is about firsthand. 

Dale, formerly a drug and alcohol counsellor, was inspired to pursue his dream after a chance encounter with a distiller and then completed his IBD Distilling Certificate in 2018. 

Their brands, titled Folklore and Allegory are beautifully packaged and branded with gorgeous original art labels, with the art created by Sam Lyne, a Hobart-based illustrator and artist.

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.

Masterclass Review - Gareth and Angela Andrews, Fleurieu Distillery

Our Masterclass with Gareth and Angela from Fleurieu Distillery explored what it takes to build a whisky brand from a brewery and how to make the most of the tourism opportunities of your region. 

Now an established whisky brand, the Fleurieu Distillery webinar is a good one to watch if you’re thinking of expanding over time.

This webinar is now in the Student Masterclass webinar library.

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?

• Book a 20 min discovery call.
• Should you start a distillery?
• How long does setting up a distillery take?

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

Regards,

Anne, Troy, Brett, Ian and Marcel

The Distillers Institute