Another year has come and gone, and what an amazing year it's been.
It started with a BANG! We earned our B Corporation Certification, part of our ongoing sustainability journey. Achieving B Corp means meeting the highest standard of social & environmental performance. We are one of only two spirit distillers in Australia to achieve this distinction. This was a huge accomplishment and definitely one of our proudest achievements of 2022.
Major site upgrades and builds were also undertaken. From expanding the distillery to building a new office, a dedicated bottling hall, dispatch and a barrel warehouse that can hold up to 1500 casks of maturing whisky on site, we now have even more space and opportunity to grow.
After the upgrade, our newest member of the distillery Micko was able to move in and began running spirit. Micko is a 4500L Scottish-style copper pot still named after Pam Brook's father (Eddie’s grandfather).
Now, let's talk Brookies Liquor and Gins.
We all love and adore Brookie's Mac Liquor. So we asked ourselves, how can we create another Mac. that's unique, fresh and new? With all these whisky barrels we have lying around, why don't we do a barrel-aged mac? So, after resting our Mac. liqueur in an ex-bourbon cask we were able to introduce you all to our new Barrel-Aged Mac. Barrel Aged Mac. has allowed us to continue exploring ways to amplify native flavours in our spirits as well as create the connection between our existing range and our ongoing whisky journey. Seasoning some of our whisky casks ready for maturing our whisky. Mmm...Delicious!
Talking about deliciousness, our Brookie's Dry Gin, Mac. and Slow Gin took out multiple awards, both nationally and internationally. We think our gin is pretty special, but don't just take our word for it.
Brookies Byron Dry Gin
• The Spirits Business Gin Masters 2022 – GOLD
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2022 – GOLD
• SIP Awards 2022 – GOLD & CONSUMERS’ CHOICE AWARD
• IWSC Awards 2022 – Spirit Award – BRONZE
Brookie's Mac Liquor
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2022 – SILVER
• World Liqueur Awards 2022 – WORLD’S BEST NUT & BEST AUSTRALIAN NUT
• SIP Awards 2022 – Consumers Choice Award, Nut Liqueur – DOUBLE GOLD
• IWSC Awards 2022 – Spirit Award – BRONZE
Brookie's Byron Slow Gin
• The Spirits Business Gin Masters 2022 – GOLD
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2022 – SILVER
• SIP Awards 2022 – GOLD & CONSUMERS’ CHOICE AWARD
Then came the time for Brookies to share the limelight with the newest member of the Cape Byron Distillery family.
WHISKYYYYYYY! Yes this year we saw the launch of Cape Byron Whisky. After patiently waiting 3 years, and with the support of our Co-Founder Jim McEwan, we were able to launch our 'The Original' and 'Chardonnay Cask' Australian Single Malt Whisky. Whisky was flying out of the warehouse with our 'The Original' Batch 001 selling out in just a few weeks.
With the overwhelmingly positive response to our launch, it was time for Cape Byron Whisky to go on tour. Four cities, four sold-out launch events, four bagpipers, and four Highland Toasts, our Proud Co-distillers Jim McEwan and Eddie Brook loved every minute of sharing their passion project with you all.
Looking back on the year, it's fair to say we have accomplished a lot together.
So let's make a toast.
Here's to more adventures together in 2023.
Slàinte Mhath!
