TDI Monthly Newsletter - October 2023

Welcome to the October TDI newsletter. 

Key dates for the season: 

28 October - Spirit Fest, Adelaide South Australia

2-3 December - Canberra Christmas Gin Festival

27 January 2024 - Ginuary, Hobart Gin Festival

2-4 February 2024 - Auckland Gin Festival

28-30 April 2024 - Australian Distillers Conference

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

Big news and big launch for Itinerant Spirits
Wonderful news this last month for Course Two graduates Brad Wilson and Craig Ryan from Itinerant Spirits with the launch of their incredible new distillery at the Ballarat Goods Shed. 

We met Brad and Craig last year in Melbourne and we’re lucky enough to enjoy some time with them at Brad’s Little Lon Distillery in the city.

We’ve seen the incredible vision around Itinerant Spirits unfold and the team create an incredible distillery for not only locals, but a true destination for regional Victoria. 

Make sure you add it to the list.

Chartreuse and other traditional spirits

We read with interest the article in the American Distillers Institute (ADI) newsletter this month about Chartreuse. 

This spirit is one of those that if you’ve tried it, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about, and if you haven’t, you may well write it off to be ignored.

We are seeing the emergence of many more of these traditional spirits including an increase in vermouth production (James Bond would be pleased!), here and abroad. 

If diving into the world of reimagined spirits is your thing then check out the article. 

Director Anne - our Churchill Fellow

We’d like to take the time to congratulate TDI Co-Founder Anne Gigney on receiving a 2023 Churchill Fellowship. 

These incredible scholarships are awarded annually and this year Anne was one of 104 Australians (and 8 Tasmanians) lucky enough to be recognised.

Anne will be researching the workplace training models for distilling - visiting Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the UK in 2024 - with the goal of bringing back that knowledge and sharing it with the brewing and distilling industries.

Read the detail of Anne’s project.

Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (DSA) news

Planning is underway for the 2024 DSA Conference and New Zealand Spirits Awards scheduled to take place in mid-2024. 

The DSA Board is working through a process to find a partner to run their dual event (enquiries directly to the DSA).

The DSA has also been approached by the Venture Taranaki (VT) Trust for information on the supply and usage of New Zealand gin botanicals. 

VT is investigating New Zealand’s domestic gin botanicals supply to identify opportunities to set up a New Zealand-local supply.

If you would be interested in contributing to the research, email Sue at DSA.

New Zealand’s Inaugural General Certificate of Distilling course 

The Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) General Certificate course in New Zealand has been postponed with the likely new date lined up with the DSA Conference mid-year. 

The IBD is very interested to bring its technical distilling and spirits training to Aotearoa, with the knowledge that high quality technical education can increase opportunities for global recognition of New Zealand’s spirits. 

Further details will be made available in partnership with the DSA.

Special Investment Masterclass - Troy Trewin and Brett Steel

Members are asked to join the TDI Team on Thursday 26 October at 6.30pm AEST to discuss the following topic:

“Choosing the right business partners and investors to grow your distilling business.”

Troy Trewin and Brett Steel have a depth of information about investing in distilling businesses. and just what is required to both take the first step and then to ensure you take the right steps, with the right partners, through the investment process.

With Brett having owned three businesses, and Troy 15 with 30 business partners in three countries, these two TDI co-founders have plenty of advice to share when choosing the right business partner and/or investors.

For the last seven years Troy has also sat on five Boards, most of them in brewing and distilling, and has seen the huge difference in value creation between good shareholders and bad.

Brett will talk about how Tasmanian Whisky Tours evolved into Drink Tasmania by bringing on an invested partner. 

And he will also talk about the origins of Spirit Thief, with two co-founders and then transitioning into a new model for the business.

Bring along any questions you have about choosing the right partners, and raising money to start or grow your distilling business. 

This Masterclass webinar is ONLY open to students. 

If you’re interested in joining The Distillers Institute, knowing you will gain deep and insightful knowledge and advice on starting and growing your business, join the course.

Masterclass Review - Richard Wilson, Sandymount Distillery, New Zealand 

Returning to his childhood backyard on the Otago Peninsula New Zealand, Distiller Richard Wilson knew he’d found the perfect property for his distillery at the Sandymount Estate. 

During his webinar, Richard spoke with us about his vision for a carbon neutral distillery and how he was able to build a business that clearly met his personal needs as well as his business goals. 

He also spoke about the transition from his previous job and how he brought his distillery vision to life.

With spring water bubbling to the surface just up the hill, and an abundance of native flora outside the door, Richard explained how his recipes make full use of the surrounding environment and the wild botanicals. 

A great one for new entries and folks in New Zealand.

The link to Richard’s webinar is in the TDI Student’s Masterclass library.

Will alcohol be required to show new health warnings?

Alcohol labeling warnings are again being discussed, as the Australian government seeks ways to raise awareness about the health risks linked to alcohol consumption, as concurrently, health bodies push for warning labels to be added to drinks packaging.

The move, if actioned, would force alcoholic drinks companies to include warning labels on bottles and cans about alcohol raising the likelihood of cancer, heart disease, liver disease and other health issues.  

Agree or disagree, it’s worth being across these discussions with the expectation that the Australian Distillers Association is  likely to reach out to its membership with updates. 

Read the story published in The Drinks Business.

Successes

Congrats to all our students who have gained their licences from the Australian Tax Office or permission from New Zealand Customs this month. 

A few that have come to our attention:

• Congrats to Adam at Horse’s Tale Distilling Co for the launch of their distillery business
• Shout out to Phil Brain for reaching a critical milestone in receiving his Excise Manufacturer’s Licence
• Congrats to students Rob and Sam from Square 1 Gin for the 4 November launch of their Ready-to-Drink (RTD) line, and
• Congrats to Ben Whittemore-Tulloch and team for the launch of FAR Distilling this last month.

If we’ve missed you, and 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