Welcome to the March issue of National Liquor News, your go-to source for the latest trends, insights, and innovations in Australia’s retail liquor industry.
Tequila has seen an astronomical increase in popularity, and consumption habits are as diverse as the category itself. In this issue we explore this trending category with our inaugural Agave Spirits Trade Buyer’s Guide, where we were blown away by the number of Tequila, Agave, Mezcal, and Raicilla submissions we received for the tasting, read more starting on page 34.
Speaking of Agave, on the cover this month is the new Act of Treason from Top Shelf International. Agave spirits represent a thriving category that has reached global heights in recent years, but despite its booming growth, is still in its infancy in Australia.
Looking to expand the horizons of a geographically limited category, Top Shelf International has invested in Australia’s unique position to produce agave spirits that offer a distinct alternative to imported tequila, you can read more on page 10.
Also in this issue, we get to know Kylie Wallbridge who has officially stepped into the role as CEO of Australian Liquor Marketers this month. Wallbridge has 20 years of experience working across all categories, beer, wine, and spirits, and across most continents of the world, and says it’s great to be home and to be joining ALM and continuing to build the Network of the Future.
In other retail news, we speak to Paramount Liquor’s CEO, Nathan Rowe, about the launch of its new next-generation retail banner group, BottleStop and POS system, Beverage Cloud. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together!
Cheers, Deb
Deb Jackson, Managing Editor
02 8586 6156 djackson@intermedia.com.au
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Pirie celebrated excellence in sparkling wine at the 2024 Tasmanian Wine Show with Pirie Late Disgorged Sparkling 2011 winning Best Late Disgorged Older Vintage Sparkling – Winequip Trophy, Chair Of Judges Selection – Josef Chromy Trophy and Top Gold. Pirie Sparkling NV was awarded Best Non-Vintage Sparkling – Grapeworks Trophy and Top Gold.
Pirie Sparkling’s stella success comes off the back of Pirie Late Disgorged Sparkling 2011 recently being awarded the New World’s Best Sparkling wine at the 2023 Global Fine Wine Challenge.
PIRIE
2024 Tasmanian Wine Show GOLD
TROPHY - Best Non - Vintage SparklingGrapeworks Trophy
2023 Australian Sparkling Wine Show GOLD
TROPHY - The Winequip / Lallemond Trophy
The IOC Trophy
The Grapeworks Trophy
2023 Adelaide Wine Show GOLD
2022 Perth Wine Show GOLD
2022 Tasmanian Wine Show GOLD
2011 PIRIE LATE DISGORGED
2024 Tasmanian Wine Show GOLD
TROPHY - Best Late Disgorged Older Vintage Sparkling - Winequip Trophy - Chair Of Judges Selection - Josef Chromy Trophy
*New World - 2023 Global Fine Wine Challenge
TROPHY - Wine of Show - Trophy Honours
2023 Tasmanian Wine Show GOLD
2023 Hobart wine show GOLD
2022 Sydney Wine Show GOLD
VINTAGE 2019 PIRIE SPARKLING
2023 Melbourne Wine Show GOLD
2023 Brisbane Wine Show GOLD
TROPHY - The Maldwyn and Ian Davies Best Sparkling Wine of Show
March 2024
10
Cover Story: Top Shelf International expands agave horizons with Act of Treason
16 News: The latest liquor industry news for retailers around Australia
22 Marketplace: Brand news and promotions
56 Brew Review: From Beer & Brewer’s esteemed tasting panel
58 Events: An exclusive look into the latest liquor industry events Industry
12 Sponsored Content: Introducing Kylie Wallbridge, CEO, ALM
14
Sponsored Content: IBA is rewarding shoppers through value
28 Retail Drinks Australia: Retail Drinks launches new online Industry Training Hub
29 Wine Australia: Exploring why Australians are drinking less wine
30 Independent Brewers Association: Government must act now to save independent brewers
31 Strikeforce: Price or promotion?
32 Store Profile: South West Wine Shop
34 Trade Buyer’s Guide: Tequila, Mezcal, Agave and Raicilla
46 International Women’s Day: Influential women inspiring inclusion
52 Better-For-You: When less is more
Agave spirits represent a thriving category that has reached global heights in recent years, but despite its booming growth, is still in its infancy in Australia.
Looking to expand the horizons of a geographically-limited category, Top Shelf International has invested in Australia’s unique position to produce agave spirits that offer a distinct alternative to imported tequila.
With the release of Act of Treason, Top Shelf International CEO Trent Fraser says the brand’s unique identity allows it to break free from traditional constraints and cater to evolving consumer tastes in a distinctly Australian and sustainable manner.
“After many years in planning, including the establishment of an agave spirit farm in the Whitsundays and construction of a dedicated distillery, Act of Treason has now joined the new global era of agave.
“We are sensing genuine excitement from the market and have been buoyed by the level of interest in not just the brand and the product, but our agave project and its story of terroir, agronomy, and innovation combining to create new premium Australian spirits.
“People want to understand and appreciate what’s in their Margaritas, and we should be providing this education through storytelling and transparency to stimulate and support this period of discovery,” he added.
All-Australian agave
Grown, cooked, distilled and bottled at the Eden Lassie spirit farm from 100 per cent Agave Tequilana (Blue Weber) in the Whitsundays, Fraser says the unique terroir of the Queensland Dry Tropics is just one factor in creating Act of Treason’s distinctive character.
“Our farm is located 20 degrees south of the equator, which is a mirror image of tequila’s home in Mexico. The advantage of this location is that we benefit from similar rainfall and temperature to Jalisco, while enjoying key differences that make it unmistakably Australian.”
Sitting at sea level, compared with Mexico’s inland agave plantations at a higher altitude, means that the agave spirit farm is also flanked by eucalyptus in a unique part of the Queensland Dry
Tropics, known by locals as The Dome.
“The rain and storms that come over the Great Barrier Reef from the Coral Sea are bent around our farm, pushing the rain away,” Fraser continues.
“This rainfall then returns via the waterways, so the farm has access to water moving through the region but not falling as Wet Tropics rain.”
But beyond the location of the farm, it is the industry-leading agronomy and agtech practices that provide a point of difference and result in plant growth and sugar levels ahead of schedule. Being a true farm-to-bottle operation, Fraser says the distillery has been built solely to create the best expression of Australian agave spirit possible.
“Far from being a carbon copy of Tequila, Act of Treason embraces its own identity with a distinct profile that exemplifies the best of Australian agave. A familiar backbone of cooked agave are layered with notes of lime, fresh cut grass and tropical fruits, with complementary minerality delivering an elegant and soft spirit profile.” ■
Kylie Wallbridge, the new CEO of Australian Liquor Marketers (ALM), officially steps into the role as of this month, so we took the opportunity to get to know her.
Australian Liquor Marketers’ CEO, Kylie Wallbridge, has been in the industry for more than 20 years and shared when you join the industry no one warns you of the love you will have for it. Working with brands that become part of peoples’ everyday occasions and celebrations, and people who you form great relationships with.
“It is great to be home after more than 10 years overseas. I have formed so many friendships in this industry and it is nice to walk into the office or the market and see friendly faces of years gone and new ones. Eating, drinking, socialising, connecting with people is a big part of my life inside and outside of work, and Australia has a great social culture.”
Wallbridge has worked across all categories, beer, wine, and spirits, and across most continents of the world.
“Something I have taken from my experience globally is while we may be in different markets and different cultures, the underlying consumer and shopper needs are consistent. Regardless of economic conditions, from Kenya to Tokyo, humans are looking for convenience, value, and great brand experiences,” she says.
Convenience and range are fundamental to a retail network of scale and reach across all corners of Australia.
“I have seen wholesalers, distributors and retailers operate in many ways, at the core is bringing a great liquor offer to life and meeting or exceeding shopper experiences. While we have a fantastic network already, I am looking forward to elevating this further and continuing to champion successful independents.”
ALM is continuing to build the Network of the Future with shopper data, insights, and platforms, such as loyalty at the core. Shoppers don’t necessarily distinguish between a physical experience and an online digital experience anymore. What they’re looking for is a convenient, easy, valuable, and personalised experience.
“We talk about convenience retailing, but an omnichannel approach is a broader definition and critical to retailing, whether it is our own online platforms to shop or browse, or quick commerce we must give a holistic experience to people. Network of the Future is ensuring IBA is enabling those retailers who can accelerate in their
local market to do so, and I am excited to continue the journey the team are on.”
Wallbridge notes the first six months of her time in ALM will be ensuring she “gets out of the way” of the business and doesn’t slow down the momentum Chris Baddock, previous CEO and John Barakat, previous Acting CEO have created.
“My first job is to get up to speed, learn, bring a fresh perspective and engage with the team and our stakeholders, both our retailers and suppliers.”
ALM has momentum with its strategy and for Wallbridge it is ensuring they have the right focusses in the right places, whether that be talent or resources.
“The liquor landscape and retail environment will continue to evolve, we know that to be constant, it is up to me to create an environment where people feel that they can contribute to our mission of championing successful independents and most importantly enjoy it.”
As well as talent and people, building partnerships is central to the success of Wallbridge’s first six months.
“I truly believe ALM and IBA are central to the liquor industry and the impact that we can bring shouldn’t be underestimated. Both from a retailer perspective and from a supplier point of view. Partnership is a powerful word but complex because it is about finding mutual understanding and creating value across our network.
Back in Sydney, Wallbridge is happier when she is connecting with people, whether that is in the office with the team, out doing store visits, in a pub talking to a customer or a pub with friends.
“Because I love to eat out and socialise, I have also learnt to love exercise. For me it is about taking a mental break and being in your own thoughts. I have a passion for snowboarding and enjoy horse riding, however, neither are easy to facilitate so running and the gym are my go-to.”
Living in the Inner West in Sydney means the restaurant and pub scene is in abundance and Wallbridge is spoilt for choice, however, picking a favourite drink is like picking your favourite child; a cold beer and conversation or a rum old fashioned are high up there. ■
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Value continues to be a high priority for shoppers, so IBA is proud to have presented a series of campaigns that reward shoppers and set up suppliers and retailers for success.
Seeking out value has become a crucial part of the shopping equation, with Aussies continuing to feel the pinch from high costof-living, and renters and mortgage holders alike looking at their budgets. A huge 93 per cent of Australians are worried about the impact of inflation, and 56 per cent of shoppers are comfortable changing stores to seek value*.
In response, IBA launched its value campaign in August 2023 with Cellarbrations ‘Spin To Win’, and The Bottle-O ‘Scratch And Win’. With joy and fun at its core, the interactive gamification of these campaigns allowed IBA to partner with valued suppliers through prizes, which included an escape to the luxurious Orpheus Island lodge, the ultimate grand final experience and more.
With 823 stores taking part, the campaign was delivered in full, through-the-line, with 23 million impressions being served across a six-week period. It drove 260,000 click throughs to site, and 200,000 plays across both Spin To Win and Scratch And Win, with punters playing an average of four times. Cellarbrations and The Bottle-O had strong
growth versus the market, with the campaign a success for both retailers and suppliers.
Craig Payens, National Retail Merchandise Manager, IBA has shared: “We are seeing shifts in consumer behaviour; we know price, promotions and value for money are more important than ever before. We have seen growth in value, mid-strength, and mainstream categories, as well as pack formats that represent the best value for money. Being able to reward shoppers whilst leveraging our everyday low-price programs and insights around price elasticity has proven to be a successful strategy for our retailers and for supplier partners.”
Value is a key part of IBA’s strategy, and the campaign ran for a second time in February 2024, but this time included IGA Liquor ‘Wipe To Win’.
Bianca Hopkins, Marketing Manager, IBA, shared: “The second time around has been even bigger, we had more suppliers partnering with the program and the shopper engagement statistics are tracking at a 100 per cent increase on August. Adding IGA Liquor to the mix has meant we have
had six weeks of brand presence through the line and across over 1,000 stores.”
Across the three banners in February shoppers had the chance to win both aspirational prizes but also daily and weekly frequency prizes, with thousands of gift cards driving shoppers back into store. Hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes were up for grabs with a trip to the Kentucky Derby, a getaway to the San Francisco SailGP, two Ultimate James Squire Dining Experiences, and so much more.
Value will continue to be a high priority for shoppers this year and IBA is proud to have presented three industry-leading campaigns to truly reward shoppers and set up our suppliers and retailers for success. ■
*Circana & Growth Scope: Liquor Market Moves 2023 | Part 1 - Liquor Market Performance – Page 7
Circana Shopper panel report : Cost of living inflation rapidly altering Australian shopping trends - Monday 19, Jun 2023
Challenged with difficult economic conditions and the toll taken by China’s import tariffs, a recent report by the IWSR has assessed the outlook for Australia’s wine industry.
While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that the review of duties is set to conclude this month, and he anticipates the exports of Australian wine to China to resume very soon, many producers have turned to diversification of markets to offset China’s losses.
These results are reflected in data collected by the IWSR, which indicates that Australian wine volume consumption declined in South Korea in 2022 vs 2021, but increased in Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam in the same period. India represents another emerging market for Australian wine producers.
Looking to the removal of China’s import duties on Australian wine, there is no expectation for exports to return to the highs of 2020. Postpandemic, China’s total wine sales have seen a 26 per cent volume decline, with IWSR data forecasting another challenging year for the wine market in China in 2024.
In the absence of Australian-produced wine in the Chinese market, Chinese and rival international wines have established greater market share.
The reopening of the Chinese market is widely welcomed by Australian producers, but with Australia’s wine inventory at an all-time high, this represents an over-supply issue, which is urging many industry members to call for a structural change.
Federal Group, the owner of 9/11 bottleshops in Tasmania, has announced a deal with Coles Liquor Group, which will see all 20 of its stores across the state acquired by Coles Liquor and rebranded as Liquorland.
While the transaction includes both hotel-attached and standalone 9/11 stores, Federal Group’s Vantage Hotel Group will continue to own and operate the 12 current hotels.
Greg Farrell, Managing Director of the Federal Group, said that the transaction would allow the Group to focus on reinvesting in its wider business, and hospitality and tourism assets.
“Federal Group is proud of the way it has built the 9/11 business over the last 15 years and the legacy that we will pass on to Coles Liquor,” he said.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024 and all 9/11 employees will be offered employment with Coles Liquor on terms no less favourable than what they currently hold.
Australian craft gin producer Four Pillars has announced the appointment of three new international leads within the business as it sets out to solidify its presence in key global markets and enter new markets.
Joining the international team, which is led by Four Pillars GTR & International Director David Hogan (ex-Bacardi), the new recruits are Head of Asia Karan Tuli, Head of EMEA Ellie Nash, and Head of the Americas Jen Bailey.
Tuli leaves behind his most recent role as Customer Marketing Manager, Global Travel Retail at William Grant & Sons, with further experience driving brand expansion for the Bacardi portfolio.
Nash also brings experience with international brands to the role, having worked most recently at Bacardi with Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire.
Rounding out the team, Bailey will draw on her eight years of experience as a core member of the Four Pillars team, with a tenure that has spanned media and communications, trade marketing, commercial and export management, and most recently saw her hold the position of Head of International Trade Marketing & Engagement.
Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has released its results for the first half of the 2024 financial year, which show stable performance and a positive outlook for the latter half of the financial year.
Total group Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBITS) were down 5.8 per cent to $289.9m, which was in line with expectations due to a planned weighting of shipments of Penfolds Bin and Icon portfolios to the second half of the financial year.
Despite the slight decrease in EBITS, consumer interest in luxury wines is still evident, with a noted shift away from commercial wine.
Penfolds drove group performance, reporting a 2.9 per cent increase in EBITS to $186.9m, with strong momentum in the Australian and Asian markets. Profit was bolstered by the portfolio mix transition to 2020 and 2021 vintages, as opposed to the lower value 2019 vintage sold in the previous year.
TWE expects to see growth in the second half of FY24 due to the weighting of shipments in the upcoming period. Additionally, the company is preparing for a decision to be made on the China wine tariffs in March and is in a strong position to capitalise on that market if the tariffs are reduced. However, the potential reduction of tariffs is not part of the business’s H2FY24 outlook.
Cameron Mackenzie, Head Distiller and Co-Founder of Four Pillars, has become the second Australian, and 20th person in history, to be inducted into the Gin Hall of Fame in London.
As Australia’s highest selling local gin brand, accounting for 40 per cent of all Australian gin produced, the induction at the World Gin Awards comes after several prestigious awards in 2023, including Mackenzie being named Master Distiller of the Year and Four Pillars named International Gin Producer of the Year by the IWSC for a record-breaking three times.
While in London, Four Pillars received the award for World’s Best Old Tom Gin, while its distilling and production team were awarded Production Team of the Year. In addition, Four Pillars’ Operations Director Michelle Hall was awarded Sustainability Officer of the Year, and Venue Manager Scott Gauld was awarded Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year.
The Cook government has introduced tougher penalties for repeat shoplifting and people who assault retail workers.
The maximum penalty for those found to be assaulting retail workers now stands at up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of $36,000. Those who assault retail workers with a weapon will face harsher penalties, of up to 10 years in prison.
Prior to the new retail theft legislation, thefts of $1,000 or less faced a fine-only penalty of $6,000, regardless of any previous offences. Other options available to the court are a suspended fine, conditional release order, or communitybased order.
Under the new penalties, repeat offenders who have two or more convictions of theft or attempted theft will no longer be subject to the fine-only penalty. Instead, these offenders will be subject to the higher maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of $24,000.
Attorney General John Quigley believes that these harsher penalties will provide a more effective deterrent for would-be offenders.
“These reforms, combined with the increased penalty for assaults on retail workers that were announced, will make retail environments a safer place for employees, and importantly, the community.”
Australian Vintage Limited’s (AVL) half-year results reported revenue in line with the 2023 financial year, and an improvement in margin and underlying earnings, despite challenging trading conditions.
Despite strong competition in all segments, AVL reported market share growth of two per cent, while the overall market declined by five per cent.
AVL’s super-premium wines above $15 have grown by 11 per cent year-on-year versus a total market decline of one per cent. With its branded products, retail scan sales for Tempus Two were up seven per cent, Nepenthe was up 20 per cent and Barossa Valley Wine Company was up four per cent on the prior year.
Despite increased competition, Australian Vintage said it remains the leading no- and low-alcohol wine supplier in Australia, delivering 15 per cent growth versus the prior year.
Following the results announcement, Australian Vintage also announced that it had achieved B Corp certification across its Australian operations and global pillar brands.
The strategic review identified potential initiatives to maximise shareholder value, including potential transformational mergers, which led to media speculation about a potential merger with Accolade Wines. Australian Vintage addressed the speculation in an ASX announcement on 26 February, confirming that AVL is in exploratory discussions with Accolade Wines but a merger is not a certainty.
Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced the first accredited Australian providers of the Level One and Level Two Beer courses.
Starting March 2024, five organisations will be able to deliver courses to trade professionals and consumers interested in expanding their knowledge of beer. The first approved organisations include Juice Wine Education and Training Consultants in South Australia, Bacchus Academy and Archive Academy in Victoria, and the Queensland College of Wine Tourism. Endeavour Group has also been approved to train its own staff.
This is the first time in 10 years that WSET has expanded into a new drinks category, and will mark WSET’s fourth qualification stream following wine, spirits and sake. The course has been designed by Sara Hobday, WSET Head of Research and Curriculum for Beer, and Mirella Amato, Master Cicerone and WSET Senior Business Development Manager for Beer, in collaboration with industry experts.
BottleStop is a next-generation banner group putting retailers in control with its technology-led concept and POS offering.
Paramount Liquor has launched its new banner group, BottleStop, which CEO Nathan Rowe describes as a nextgeneration banner group that puts retailers in control.
BottleStop was launched at Paramount’s first Re:Tail series of events in Melbourne last month, with more than 150 people from the city’s off-premise in attendance at The Wool Mill in Brunswick East.
During the event, National Liquor News took the opportunity to sit down with Rowe, to learn more about the BottleStop concept, how it will differ
to Paramount Liquor’s premium retail offering, Sessions, and how it will carve its own niche in the market.
Rowe explained that while Sessions plays in a more premium space, the BottleStop concept will be more mainstream with a technology-first approach. Paramount Liquor has developed Beverage Cloud, a beverage industry specific POS system, that integrates e-commerce, loyalty, and an app, and will be provided free to Sessions and BottleStop members.
“What we have found is that we have
a really great opportunity to execute with a tech-first approach to try and unlock the capabilities within the independent market through the execution of our POS system, Beverage Cloud,” says Rowe.
“We want to make sure that the retailers that come on board with our group believe in the vision that we’ve got, which is about embracing technology, and also the fact that we’ll be able to continue to innovate our technology, Beverage Cloud, which will drive innovation through the independent network.
“We want to reduce that barrier to entry for retailers to make that leap of faith over to Paramount and our groups.”
Paramount Liquor has an ambitious five-year strategy, which includes the Sessions banner growing to around 50 stores and building a network of around 150 to 200 BottleStop stores over that time.
“We are anticipating a strong year in the retail sector and are excited to be bolstering Sessions by adding more stores across all states, and the addition of our new banner group, BottleStop.
“Currently we have around 16 Sessions stores and over the course of five years we’d expect that to get to about 50, and that’s because it’s a niche offering – we don’t want to put Sessions into the wrong store formats.
“We expect BottleStop to be a larger network with around 150 to 200 stores within that five-year growth strategy.
“But I’m very conscious to not just rely on store numbers because more importantly it’s about quality of the members and them delivering good volume growth for our supplier partners and being part of a community driving the whole network forward.
“We’re investing into this retail network because we believe in it, and we think that there is a better way to do retailing in the independent world.”
Paramount has grown from being a Victorian-based wholesaler on a medium-sized scale, to now being the second largest wholesaler in Australia.
“We’ve grown to a $500m revenue business and we’re looking to double our business again over the next five years, and part of that is our retail growth strategy,” says Rowe.
So far, four retailers have signed onto the BottleStop banner, and we can expect to see the first stores opening over the next couple of months in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. Beyond that, the banner will venture into Queensland.
“We now know that we have the right resources within our business to allow us to capitalise on the retail market,” says Rowe.
“With Sessions it was the right time for us to dip our toe in the water and now that we’re of a lot larger scale from a national perspective and from an infrastructure perspective, we’ve got the resources within our business to really go after retail now. We’ve taken a lot of learning through that Covid period around digital marketing and technology and how to best approach our entry into retail, because it wasn’t something that we wanted to take lightly – so there is a lot of capability within the Paramount network to be able to support retail.
“We’ve also engaged in conversations with our supplier partners about the launch of BottleStop and the new technology that we’ve built, and the resounding feedback is that when we execute this, it will be best in class for the independent market.”
“What we have found is that we have a really great opportunity to execute with a tech-first approach to try and unlock the capabilities within the independent market through the execution of our POS system, Beverage Cloud.”– Nathan Rowe, CEO, Paramount Liquor
The Aromantiques is a captivating new collection of premium Australian wines, each lovingly crafted to express vibrant, enticing aromas and purity of flavour.
Designed to connect with and excite contemporary wine drinkers by tapping into lifestyle associations and drawing upon cues from spirits, beauty and luxury, The Aromantiques delivers refreshment, style and a sensory experience.
Researched by women and designed by women, the Aromantiques is a new brand with elegance and finesse both inside and outside the bottle.
Tapping into high growth varietals in the premium price segment, the range launches with a Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Rose and GSM (RRP $30).
Distributor: Taylors
Innocent Bystander has joined forces with Red Rock Deli to unveil a delicious collaboration personified by the ‘chippelier’ (a sommelier for chips). The insight of this creative partnership lies in the seamless connection between premium chips and high-quality wine, and the natural connection in the social grazing occasion.
Welcome to a surreal world of taste and flavour, where Innocent Bystander wines find their match in the artfully crafted Red Rock Deli chips. Think of it as a game of tasty ping pong, where each wine variety shares the stage with its perfect chip counterpart, through the ritual of the ‘Chip then Sip’. Pinot Noir waltzes gracefully with Honey Soy Chicken, Pinot Noir Rosé engages in a tangy tango with Lime and Black Pepper, while Tempranillo sparks a spicy sensation alongside Sour Cream and Chilli.
Andrew Dix, the Brand Manager of Innocent Bystander, shares enthusiasm about venturing beyond traditional pairings, stating: “Wine pairing is an age-old tradition, but the pairing of wine and chips works so naturally to elevate the flavours of your everyday.”
This unconventional alliance invites wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike to embark on a journey where sophistication meets irreverence, transforming their next chip then sip into an unparalleled experience of taste and discovery.
For more information, head to innocentbystander.com.au.
Distributor: Brown Family Wine Group
Barossa Cider Co has introduced a mid-strength apple cider to its core range, striking the balance between flavour and moderation.
At 3.5 per cent ABV, Barossa Cider Co Mid Strength Apple Cider is not only low in alcohol, but also low-carb and low-calorie. With just 95 calories per bottle, and veganfriendly and gluten free, Barossa Cider Co’s Owner Oscar Bowen says: “It ticks a lot of boxes for consumers looking for this type of product in the cider category.”
Barossa Cider Co ciders are made with 100 per cent handpicked fresh Australian apples and pears and without any artificial flavours. Coming from a family-owned South Australian business, the core range of beverages focuses on high quality ingredients and authentic flavours.
Distributor: Pure Wine Co
Speyside distillery GlenAllachie Distillery has released its inaugural single malt peated whisky collection, Meikle Tòir, in Australia. The collection comprises four small batch SKUs: The Original, The Sherry One, The Chinquapin and The Turbo.
The collection is the first peated release for Glenallachie Distillery, an uncommon style for the Speyside region, as well as the first release for Master Distiller Billy Walker since he took over the distillery.
“This is an incredibly exciting milestone for all of us at The GlenAllachie. Five years in the making, Meikle Tòir represents our endeavours to perfect a peated whisky and make history at our home in Speyside. Our innovation, wood policy and hands-on approach means only the best whisky reaches the bottle,” Walker said.
Distributor: Vanguard Luxury Brands
Michael Clifford set out to create a sophisticated product that focuses on celebrating ingredients from his own backyard when the idea for Mode seltzer was born.
Created using native Australian ingredients and premium triple distilled vodka made from Australian wheat, Mode seltzer is available in four flavours, all of which are low-calorie, low-sugar, vegan and gluten free. Aiming for a product that is all-natural, the only sweetness in Mode is from the sweetness of the fruit used and a little pear juice.
Retailing at $27 for a four-pack, with an ABV of five per cent, the hard seltzer is available in these four unique flavours: Frankie’s Sunset Dress (Mango and pomegranate), Salt Brushed Skin (Davidson plum and forest berry), Jim’s Pink Blouse (Tasmanian pepperberry, ginger and lime), and No More Elevator Music (Yuzu, cucumber and basil).
Distributor: Direct
CBCo Brewing has made the shift from 24-packs to a 16-pack format across its core ale range, including the popular Pale Ale and IPA.
The reduced pack size is more convenient, while still containing the same 375ml cans that CBCo Brewing has always used. In addition, the 16-pack format has an accessible price point that CBCo Brewing Managing Director Lawrence Dowd hopes will appeal to a broader range of consumers.
“We’re thrilled to announce our transition to 16-packs across our core ale range. This move not only offers smaller, more convenient pack sizes but also reflects our commitment to delivering quality beers at a more accessible price point, all while staying true to our 375ml can tradition. As a proudly independent, Australian family-owned brewery with over 20 years of brewing heritage, we’re excited to bring our range of beers to even more drinkers,” he said.
Distributor: Paramount Liquor, ALM, Direct
Cape Byron Distillery has released its first non-alcoholic product under Brookie’s Gin, with the launch of Brookie’s Free Spirited premix.
Available as a G&T with Pink Grapefruit and a Blood Orange Spritz, the RTDs use Brookie’s rainforest botanical distillate to replicate the flavours of the popular Italian aperitivo while responding to the growing better-for-you and no- and low-alcohol markets.
Eddie Brook, CEO and Co-Founder of the B Corp certified Byron Bay distillery, spoke about the new product release, which he hopes will contribute to the normalisation of mindful drinking and balance.
“We decided to step into the non-alc category with our Brookie’s Free Spirited range to bring a new level of quality and drink experience to the non-alc category. We are not a health company, we are not zero sugar, we do not add vitamins or collagen to our drinks, we simply focus on making incredible drink experiences to create memories and bring people together.”
Distributor: Direct
Westward Whiskey has announced a new distributor partnership in Australia with Iconic Beverages, helping the whiskey producer to grow its presence in the Australian market from 2024 onwards.
The Oregon-based distillery is highly rated, with awards including Double Gold or Gold medals for all its flagship whiskeys from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and ranking as the fifth best whiskey in the world from Whisky Advocate (2022).
Westward Whiskey first launched in Australia in 2019, and demand for the brand has increased exponentially, due in large part to the strong New World Single Malt and American Whiskey market domestically.
“At Westward Whiskey, today we begin a new chapter in what has been an exciting and compelling Australian growth story. We are honoured to be in the company of dynamic and innovative luxury brands and are confident our strategic partnership with Iconic Beverages will unlock growth and introduce our innovative whiskeys to new and discerning whiskey drinkers,” said Thomas Mooney, Westward Whiskey’s Founder and CEO. Distributor: Iconic Beverages
Following the successful releases of Rosé Rosé and Blue Gris, De Bortoli has released Pinot Pinot Noir. Rosé Rosé has received awards such as 2023 Global Rose Masters and the winery innovator award, and Blue Gris earned a Gold medal at the 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Show. The release of Pinot Pinot Noir leverages De Bortoli’s expertise in Pinot Noir production and builds upon the popularity of the rest of the portfolio.
Pinot Pinot Noir is an easy-drinking red wine, and the tasting notes describe perfumed notes of pomegranate, damson plum, and forest fruits, with a palate of crunchy red fruits. It has been crafted by Steve Webber and the De Bortoli Yarra Valley Winemaking Team with fruit sourced from vineyards across Victoria, Australia.
Distributor: De Bortoli
Tequila Herradura Legend, the first of its kind ultra-premium Tequila from Casa Herradura, is an aged Añejo tequila showcasing Herradura’s experience in tequila production and barrel making. This is Casa Herradura’s first release under the new generation of the brand’s female legacy, with Karinna Enriquez Hurtado now in the role of Master Taster.
Tequila Herradura Legend has been crafted from 100 per cent blue weber agave, which has been matured for 12 months in heavily charred, new American White Oak barrels. Casa Herradura produces its own barrels that have been deeply grooved, exposing the tequila to more layers of toasted oak as it ages. In tasting notes, the tequila is described as having an aroma of oak with notes of smokiness and spice, and a palate of dried fruit, citrus, vanilla and sweet roasted agave.
Ashleigh Wheeler, Light Spirit Brand Manager at BrownForman, spoke to the unique nature of the spirit.
“At Tequila Herradura, we’ve been innovating in the tequila category for 150 years, and that continues with the launch of Legend. Legend’s one-of-a-kind production process sets it apart from its category competitors. It’s an incredibly rich and smooth sipping tequila that we know Aussies will love.”
Distributor: Brown-Forman
Flecha Azul was co-founded in 2020 by Mexican-American entrepreneur Aron Marquez and Mexican-American pro golfer Abraham Ancer, who aspired to create an additive-free, pure, ultra-premium tequila using traditional methods. Actor and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg later joined as a principal investor, driven by his appreciation for the brand and the quality of Flecha Azul’s Tequila.
The liquid is produced by Casa Orendain, a family-owned and operated distillery in the lowlands of Jalisco with a distilling history spanning nearly a century.
There are five SKUs across the Flecha Azul range, with Blanco, Reposado and Añejo making up the core range. This is supplemented by Wahlberg’s favourite, Cristalino, and Extra Añejo, which is aged for three years in ex-Bourbon American Oak barrels.
Flecha Azul Tequila is distilled from 100 per cent Blue Weber Agave and is completely additive free. It uses only three ingredients, being the Blue Agave, yeast and volcanic water, enhancing the quality and natural flavours of the liquid. Additive-free Tequila is already a key category segment in the US and is becoming increasingly important in Australia.
The brand expects a boost in the Australian market in the following months as Wahlberg comes Down Under to promote his latest film. In his downtime, Wahlberg will be supporting customer engagement and brand events for Flecha Azul.
Distributor: Vanguard Luxury Brands
The all-Australian Agave spirit, Act of Treason Blanco, hit the market in February following the inaugural harvest of the Agave tequilana that has been cultivated in Queensland’s Whitsundays.
Top Shelf International CEO Trent Fraser explained the decision behind creating an Australian agave spirit.
“Act of Treason symbolises the pioneering spirit of a project that will create a new region of agave spirit. The Dry Tropics of north Queensland are the ideal place for that to occur,” he said.
“Like many other producers, we feel there is an opportunity for agave to be shared with the world and for others to put their distinctive imprint on a category that continues to surge in popularity in Australia and overseas.”
Tasting notes describe the spirit as having a nose of citrus and coconut grass, with lots of cooked agave and lime peel. The palate offers sweet, cooked agave, lime peel and cut grass, with a long, savoury agave finish.
Distributor: Top Shelf International
Storywood Tequila was founded by Scottishborn Michael Ballantyne, who was drawn to Tequila while spending time in his mother’s hometown of San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. It was there that he met Luis Trejo, Master Distiller at the Distiller La Cofradia, and the pair began to share their love of their respective national spirits.
The liquid begins with fully mature 100 per cent Blue Weber agave, harvested from the Lowland region of Jalisco, which is then aged in oak casks. Storywood pushes the boundaries of Tequila maturation, with the five SKU range including a Cask Strength Sherry Reposado and three Tequilas aged in ex-Speyside whisky casks.
Distributor: Proof Drinks
Turn to page 34 for our
Produced in small batches, Ghost Tequila is a 100 per cent Blue Agave Tequila blended with Ghost Pepper, making for easy, consistent, high quality Spicy Margaritas. It is double-distilled in traditional copper pot stills, resulting in a developed and rounded flavour profile.
Ghost Tequila is produced by the Casa Maestri distillery, which utilises traditional methods of tequila production. Committed to using only the best and sustainably farmed agave, Ghost Tequila maintains a close relationship with local growers from the Jalisco region of Mexico, ensuring ample supply for generations to come.
Distributor: Iconic Beverages
From the world’s most awarded tequila brand, 1800 Cristalino is the pinnacle of the 1800 range and offers the ultimate Tequila drinking experience as it captures the smoothness of a Blanco with the complexity of an Añejo.
1800 Cristalino is a crystal clear and beautifully layered tequila, merging both the visual and sensory worlds. Packaged in an elegant and eye-catching crystalline bottle, 1800 Cristalino is the perfect addition to capitalise on gifting occasions and elevated cocktail experiences.
Crafted using 1800’s 220-year-old Añejo recipe, the liquid is aged in barrels for 16 months, with a secondary ageing in port wine casks, creating a finish that is unique to Cristalino. The liquid is then meticulously filtered to create a crystal clear and smooth Añejo-style Tequila that magnifies the flavour and aromas offered from the barrels, while maintaining the herbal and sweet notes from the agave.
Ideal to savour neat, on the rocks or to elevate the classic Margarita.
Reach out to your Proximo Spirits representative for more information and to order.
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
Retail Drinks recognises that many independent liquor retailers have minimal infrastructure, resources, and training support in their network, and need assistance in the development of their staff. They value the importance of having access to costeffective training yet getting them to allocate the time and resources towards training has always been a challenge.
With a predominantly casual and temporary workforce, and the pressures of operating in the retail liquor landscape constantly evolving, the need to invest in professional development is becoming increasingly important, as a means of retaining staff and fostering building lifelong career paths.
This month, after more than a year in development with support from various industry partners including Urban eLearning, and Perreux Consulting, Retail Drinks will proudly launch our latest member service offering – the online Industry Training Hub, which includes a suite of nine, non-accredited professional development courses aimed at delivering entry-level fundamentals to liquor store owners, managers, and staff.
These nine bespoke courses will be offered exclusively and completely free to Retail Drinks members, and include Business and Strategic Planning, Marketing Principles, Shopper Behaviour, Financial Management, Retail Store Layout, Retail Safety
and Security Management, People Management, Negotiation Skills, and Time Management.
The Industry Training Hub will be accessible via the Retail Drinks website once logged in. All courses are designed to take between two and four hours of uninterrupted time and come with a Certificate of Attainment on completion.
In addition to these nine tailored courses, the online Industry Training Hub is designed to become a one-stop-shop, giving members access to mandatory industry training such as RSA, Licensee or Approved Manager Training, as well as a broad range of other complementary courses offered by our industry partners.
Making learning and professional development an essential component of running a business is an excellent retention strategy, as well as in ensuring that developing their employee’s skills and knowledge also helps grow the business. The provision of consistent and reliable training offers people working in our industry a career pathway rather than just a job, and acknowledges that education and training can improve skills, knowledge, and business outcomes.
Regardless of your industry tenure, be it new or a seasoned professional, we encourage all members to check out our new online Industry Training Hub, complete the training yourself, and most importantly, give us your feedback for continuous improvement. ■
Michael Waters Executive Officer Drinks Australia Michael Waters, Chief Executive Officer, outlines Retail Drinks Australia’s new online training modules.Consistent with global trends, the number of people drinking wine and the frequency of wine drinking in Australia are both decreasing.
According to IWSR, in Australia the share of the adult population that drinks wine regularly (at least once per month) decreased from 50 per cent in 2019 to 43 per cent in 2023. The share of regular wine drinkers that drink at least once per week also decreased from 81 per cent to 80 per cent. The combined effect of these changes has been a reduction of half a million weekly wine drinkers (-6.8 per cent) since 2019, despite the population increasing by 1.7 million (9.3 per cent) in that time.
The reduction in numbers has led to a reduction in volume of wine consumed, which decreased by an average of 2.3 per cent per year from 2017 to 2022, underperforming against all other alcohol categories except cider. Wine is also expected to decline by more than all other alcohol categories in the next five years (IWSR 2023).
The reduction in wine consumption has a number of drivers, including:
• Alcohol moderation as a result of a ‘health and wellness’ trend prevailing in many consumer markets and across a range of activities. Roy Morgan data from September 2023 indicates that 43 per cent of adults in Australia claim to be moderating their alcohol consumption.
• Competition from other alcoholic beverages particularly RTDs, which have grown by an average of seven per cent per year from 2018 to 2022 according to IWSR, to take a 13 per cent market share. Australia is the third largest RTD market in the world, with a wide range of products catering for different tastes from low calorie, high alcohol through to low alcohol, sweet and refreshing. According to Roy Morgan, the proportion of Australian adults who consumed RTDs doubled from 10.8 per cent in 2020 to 20.8 per cent in 2023.
• Economic moderation as a result of reduced disposable income is a recent additional driver leading to reduced spend on wine. Older drinkers in particular reported buying less wine and buying cheaper wine according to IWSR (July 2023).
On the other hand, more adults consume wine than any other alcohol category, and the proportion has increased from 41 per cent in the year ended March 2020 to nearly 44 per cent in the year ended March 2023. According to the NielsenIQ Omnishopper consumer panel, more than 51 per cent of Australian households bought wine in the year ended November 2023, with the average annual spend per buyer increasing around three per cent to $324*. This large number of consumer contact points indicates an opportunity to build consumption again through innovation and NPD especially focused on the fast-growing moderation and wellness trends. ■
*KPIs for total wine purchases by Australian households in the year ended 5/11/23 (MAT) vs a year ago (YA). Source: Nielsen IQ Omnishopper analysis.
Sandy Hathaway, Senior Analyst at Wine Australia, explores the trends driving reduced alcohol consumption in Australia.The Independent Brewers Association has put forward six proposals to the Federal Government to help save Australia’s independent brewing industry.
“If the government does not act now on commonsense reforms independent brewing businesses will continue to close and the cost of a pint, made by a local Australian brewery, will be out of reach for many Australian consumers.”
That is the crux of the Independent Brewers Association’s (IBA) Federal Budget submission, which is calling on the Government to act now in order to save Australia’s independent brewing industry.
With many iconic craft brewers going into administration, restructuring or closing down completely, there is weekly evidence to support the IBA’s claim in its Budget submission that “the environment for independent brewing is dire”.
Richard Watkins, Chair of the IBA, summed up the position of many independent brewers, saying: “It is a very unhealthy situation for our industry at the moment. Beer tax has jumped by nearly eight per cent in the past three to five years and local brewers can’t match the prices of overseasowned producers.”
Help with tax debt and the burden of twice-yearly excise increases are two of the proposals put forward by the IBA in its
Budget submission, the six proposals to the Government from the IBA are:
• Freeze indexation of alcohol excise for a period of two years.
• The excise remission cap of $350,000 that was introduced in July 2021, should be indexed in line with inflation.
• Offer an extension/allow for flexibility for pay back terms for those independent breweries carrying an excise debt as a result of deferrals during the pandemic.
• Federal support to secure the future of our Australian independent beer industry.
• Support regional brewing businesses by adding brewery technician to the national skilled occupation program.
• Support small brewing businesses to convert to more sustainable sources of energy.
The IBA says that the first three proposals would provide immediate relief by reducing the regulatory burden, even on a temporary basis.
Kylie Lethbridge, CEO, IBA, said: “Every time excise rates go up, my first thought is how many of our independent breweries are going to survive this round and who will close next. Over the past three years, small independent breweries in communities all over Australia have done whatever they
can to be successful businesses and to beat adversity.
“The biggest issues are structural and economic and only the Federal Government can address them. The Federal Government needs to act now if it wants the sector to survive – and to show Australians they do care about local small businesses.”
Beer will survive
The IBA submission highlights that according to demographer, Bernard Salt AM, the independent brewing industry is poised to continue to succeed and contribute to Australian society. Independent brewing creates local jobs throughout the country. Additionally, the Australian consumer market will rise in the future, with new generations seeking out locally produced, sustainable, and diverse products.
Lethbridge adds: “With government backing by implementing the commonsense proposals outlined throughout, independent small breweries across Australia can survive the current situation and add value to the Australian economy and society into the future.
“Beer will survive the current headwinds. The question for Government is what beer industry does it want to see in the future?” ■
There are a multitude of price promotions and mechanisms on how to drive foot traffic and attract liquor shoppers in early 2024.
Member pricing appears to be on trend and attractive at first glance allowing retailers to offer exclusive deals and discounts to shoppers. Depending on frequency of purchase and regular shelf price this can lead to significant cost savings.
Members also gain access to unique products or a wider product range not available to non-members.
From a pure promotional pricing perspective, discounts vary by category, which regular category shoppers understand, however for occasional buyers this can be a bit confusing. Deeper discounts in percentage terms are available to shoppers in some categories compared to others.
This could be due to access to trade deals and the ability to pass on deeper discounts on higher margin lines, driven by fierce competition with retailers looking to attract and lock in shoppers’ spend.
Multi-buys continue to be a popular mechanism trading off margin for bulk purchases. It would be interesting to understand how effective this is to drive additional volume. Large quantity purchases, particularly considering the current economic environment, may not be suitable for everyone therefore locking some buyers out.
For convenience shoppers, it may be counterproductive to offer multi-buys in place of easier to understand dollars or percentage off. It feels
like a calculator is needed to land on the savings for some of the more complex offers at times.
While it takes a bit of effort to set up in-store promotions like ‘buy this and go in the draw to win’ or redemption rewards, these have always been popular with off-premise liquor shoppers and add a bit of theatre into a sometimes-sterile retail environment.
This type of in-store activity changes the narrative away from a pure price discussion reducing the reliance on heavy discounting.
Off-location displays featuring a branded BBQ, esky, or fridge, for example, in high traffic areas of the store can entice purchase based on the strength of the brand and attract shoppers who might not shop the home location.
Strategic placement near the front of the store or popular areas may trigger an impulse purchase and increase total spend.
Rotation of brands in this highly visible location enables the offer to be kept fresh, highlighting new products and seasonal offerings as soon as the shopper enters the store.
A key benefit is interaction with products, often fostering brand connection where none existed before, resulting in incremental sales.
In summary, different price promotions and mechanics will ‘press the button’ for different shoppers, with constant evaluation of effectiveness and a willingness to try different mechanics key to driving future sales and retaining shopper loyalty. ■
“Different price promotions and mechanics will ‘press the button’ for different shoppers, with constant evaluation of effectiveness and a willingness to try different mechanics key to driving future sales and retaining shopper loyalty.”Stephen Wilson Category & Insights Manager Strikeforce
The boutique bottle shop hopes to demystify wine jargon by categorising wines based on style and characteristics, as opposed to varietals. By
Molly Nicholas.In Western Australia, along with the opening of the new Busselton Pavilion comes South West Wine Shop, an eclectic wine store with community at its core.
Designed to be an interactive space, which highlights Southwestern Australia’s reputation for world-class wine, the store is part of the larger Busselton Pavilion venue precinct from Parker Group.
At the helm of Parker Group, Wine Director and Busselton local Cyndal Petty, has handpicked the wine selection, which has been designed to appeal to both traditional and experimental palates and leans heavily into local wine.
Of the bespoke wine range, 85 per cent has been sourced from the surrounding South West region while the remaining 15 per cent has been sourced from top Australian and international producers.
Hoping to create a fun and friendly environment at the store,
Petty says the staff love nothing more than talking about their favourite drops with visitors and helping them to select the perfect drop.
“I wanted to keep our wine list small, so our guests aren’t lost in options, and because our range is so small, selecting became competitive, therefore each wine is very deserving and has a rightful place on our shelf.
“By offering our guests a small, curated selection of drops to choose from, this allows us to guide our guests to select a wine tailored to their personal taste. Each wine is hand-selected to be on our shelves, and I love each and every one, having tasted them all personally of course.”
Petty, who has worked around the world as a sommelier, has taken an interesting approach to the wine selection display, introducing a concept that she hopes will decomplicate wine language and encourage customers to engage with the knowledgeable team.
Rather than categorising wines by varietal, Petty encourages customers to make their selections based on style and characteristics. The range includes fizz, skinsy (skin contact or orange), pink, aromatic (white), mineral (white), fleshy (white), bright (red), juicy (red) and bold (red), with characteristics written on fridge doors.
Each day, a number of wines are individually selected to be displayed on a bespoke wine wall, which offers an interactive menu separate to the fridges and shelves and is available to drink on-site by the glass.
While Petty says she has seen the concept of boutique wine lists
displayed through style and characteristics in the past, she hadn’t previously seen it rolled out in a retail space.
“It’s extremely exciting to think we’re one of the first retail spaces adopting this concept, I see it as the way of the future,” she says.
“The concept – categorising wines by their style – works to demystify wine jargon and allows our offering to feel approachable and welcoming to everyone. I like to think we’re taking a fresh new concept into the realm.”
Speaking about the diversity of the wine lovers that have come through the shop so far, Petty says there is a huge variety within the community, from winemakers searching for excitement through obscure varieties to those looking for a simple bottle to take home.
“It comes back to the idea of humble hospitality that runs through Busselton Pavilion,” she added. “Everyone who enters South West Wine Shop has a personalised experience tailored to their taste, and it makes me smile to see people coming back regularly to see what new wines we have on the wall for them to have a glass of.”
With a daily selection of by-the-glass options available to sample in-store, Petty hopes that the shop will become a community hub for wine lovers. The in-store selection is complemented by a small bar menu of snacks designed to be eaten with a glass of wine, including house anchovy beignets and sliced saucisson with gribiche and pickles.
In line with the community-minded approach of the broader Busselton Pavilion precinct, South West Wine Shop is set to engage customers with a range of community-based events, which includes Wednesday Wine Club, tasting experiences and meet the winemaker nights.
Designed to be a neighbourhood wine shop and bar, Petty says she hopes to bring as many wine-passionate people together as possible to celebrate their love for the humble grape.
“Our space is designed to bring people together, and I see this as the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded people, as well as being that catalyst for others wanting to build on their own community network. Also, I love a chat, so the more people we can bring in, the better.”
The first event to launch at South West Wine Shop will be the Wednesday Wine Club, a bi-monthly community event hosted by Petty and Venue Manager Hayley Ward, formerly of Margaret River winery Vasse Felix.
“We’ll be chatting all things grapes,” she says. “Each meet up will focus on a different corner of wine, allowing likeminded people to become part of a friendly community. This then extends into our Friday Pours, where we highlight local producers. I see the wine community as one big family and want to share the space to talk about our shared passion – wine.” ■
Tequila has seen an astronomical increase in popularity, and consumption habits are as diverse as the category itself.
By Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence.Agave spirits have seen incredible international growth over the last few years, most notably with Tequila. The most prominent growth has been in the US, and as the third highest per capita consumer of Tequila according to the IWSR, Australia is only a few years behind.
Ashleigh Wheeler, Light Spirit Brand Manager, Brown-Forman, explained that the Tequila category has matured over the past few years, and consumers are drinking it in a variety of ways.
“Consumers are discovering the versatility of the liquid. Tequila is no longer just a shot. The Margarita is soaring in popularity and consumers are also starting to drink Tequila mixed with soda and as a sipping spirit too,” she said.
In addition, there has been a general increase in quality across the category, which Andy Kelly, Brand Manager, Iconic Beverages believes has improved the image of agave spirits.
“As premium, high-quality and craft Tequilas have emerged, so has the versatility of the spirit. Cocktail culture has sparked trial with audiences who may have assessed the reputation of agave spirits based on low-quality variants,” he said.
This increase in quality is a positive sign for
Ryan Anderson, Marketing Manager, Vanguard Luxury Brands, as it will draw bigger players into the category.
“The growth of super premium brands and new categories like Cristalino Tequila are already rewarding early Tequila adopters. As the category trends upward, this will encourage big budget brands to invest in consumer awareness and product advocacy,” he said.
Cocktails, particularly the Margarita, have been the biggest driver for Tequila growth in Australia. CGA by Neilsen IQ’s September Opus Study found that the Margarita was the second most consumed cocktail in the on-premise and has remained in the top three for the last two years. Currently, most growth in Tequila is coming from unaged Tequila Blanco, which Drew Doty, Managing Director, Proof Drinks, attributes to the common usage of Blanco in cocktails.
“We have seen that off-premise consumers are choosing Tequila based on usage. If it is in the cocktail, then it will be the first point they go for. As most cocktails have Blanco as the core ingredient, the sales reflect this as the more popular choice,” he said.
However, aged expressions may increase in popularity as consumer education about the Tequila category continues.
“Consumers are only just learning about Tequila and maintaining a strong reliance on Blanco rather than trading up into Reposado or even Añejo. I believe these aged SKUs will grow over the next few years as more training and awareness is done by brands,” Doty added.
Tanya Mah, Head of Marketing, Amber Beverages Australia, has seen Tequila gain share from several different spirit categories.
“Recent US data says that Tequila is gaining share from vodka, gin and Cognac. The versatility of Tequila allows for a broader drinks strategy with an elevated agave twist,” Mah said.
For Tequila-based RTDs, growth is coming primarily from existing shoppers spending more on the category, but some customers are also switching from light spirit RTDs, seltzers, and premix cocktails. Marisa Murray, Marketing Manager, Brown-Forman, expects to see consumers from a broader variety of categories as Tequila grows.
“As consumers continue to build their understanding of different ways to drink Tequila and we see more brands expand into RTD, it is expected that Tequila will start to attract consumers from broader categories like beer and wine,” she said.
As Tequila continues to grow, so too will the entry points for new consumers, as a Proximo Spirits spokesperson told National Liquor News.
“Tequila is this incredibly beautiful and versatile spirit that can entice both light and dark spirit drinkers through its range across a multitude of price points, from entry level all the way up to super luxury. Similar to whiskey and wine, there is a whole premiumisation journey that drinkers are able to embark on as they trial new variants, unique serves and discover the beauty of sipping.”
The US has recently seen increased interest in the diverse category of Mezcal, and Australia could see similar category growth in the next few years. Jose A. Ponce, Director, Artesanal,
sees consumers gravitating towards Mezcal because it is perceived as an authentic and artisanal product.
“As people become more interested in their cocktail ingredients and the quality and origin of spirits they choose to drink, there seems to be a growing interest in genuine, artisanal quality spirits in the market. Mezcal is one of the most exciting categories in the market as it encapsulates a wide array of flavour profiles, which cannot be found in any other white spirit products,” he said.
The variety of agaves used in Mezcal production creates a diverse category, and Cerbaco’s NSW State Manager, Emmanuel Condé, believes this will appeal to curious drinkers.
“It’s fun and delicious to explore the different regions of production, with the various agave varieties being used. Mezcal from Guerrero made of the Papalote plants is a personal favourite for its bright, tropical flavours,” he said.
Many Mezcals are best sipped neat, as with whisky or Cognac.
Tequila is a protected origin spirit and must be made from 100 per cent Blue Weber Agave grown and distilled in Jalisco, Mexico. The core bulb of the agave, called the piña, is removed, baked, and the juice extracted and fermented. There are six subcategories of Tequila.
Tequila Blanco: This Tequila is aged for a maximum of two months and is clear in colour. Also called Silver or Plata.
Tequila Reposado: This is aged in European or American-made barrels for a minimum of two months to a year.
Tequila Joven: This is a mix of aged and unaged Tequila.
Tequila Añejo: This Tequila is barrel aged for at least a year in American or European barrels.
Tequila Cristalino: This oak-aged Tequila is charcoal filtered to achieve a clear finish like that of Tequila Blanco.
Tequila Rosa: Ageing in ex-red wine barrels gives this Tequila a pink tinge.
“Consumers are discovering the versatility of the liquid. Tequila is no longer just a shot. The Margarita is soaring in popularity and consumers are also starting to drink Tequila mixed with soda and as a sipping spirit too.” – Ashleigh Wheeler, Light Spirit Brand Manager, Brown-Forman
“The Mezcal category is often treasured by people who enjoy sipping and savouring spirits in small quantities. Premium agave distillates will often provide organic sweetness, full mouthfeels and long and complex aftertaste lasting longer than five seconds,” Ponce said.
Despite the category’s potential, Nick Chappell, Co-Founder and Managing Director Compa Drinks Co., believes that significant Mezcal growth is still a few years away.
“A lot of education needs to happen around Mezcal, and right now it’s mostly waiting for Tequila to really take hold. If you look at the growth in the US for Mezcal, it has come off the back of that five-to-seven-year boom for Tequila.
“A lot of places expanded their Mezcal range at the same time as they expanded their Tequila range. What they found is that most people are still trying to understand Tequila and get to know it outside of the cocktail space. Mezcal is probably two or three years behind that,” he said.
With continued growth projected for the Tequila category, there are several opportunities in the future.
Cristalino, a charcoal-filtered aged Tequila, is growing in
popularity in Mexico and the US, and we may see similar growth in Australia.
“Cristalino-style Tequilas are now the highest selling super premium Tequilas in Mexico, and we have seen volume sales of this new style double in the US since 2020. Its success is really being driven by its appeal to both light and dark spirits drinkers. It’s smooth, it’s flavoursome and it’s versatile,” a Proximo Spirits spokesperson said.
Super premium Tequila is growing in category share, with the IWSR projecting that it will make up 55 per cent of category value and 44 per cent of category volume by 2026.
“Boutique brands have a higher price point, so cost-of-living pressures have stunted category growth a bit. However, a beast of a boom is waiting to happen. Consumers are always looking for something new and exciting, so once pricing regulates and new products hit the market, premium Tequila is going to grow really well,” Chappell said.
Additionally, signposting will remain important in retail spaces, as only half of people buying Tequila in the off-premise are purchasing it to consume themselves, indicating a much higher proportion of gift purchasing than in other categories.
“With little understanding of the category there is a need for easier signposting and education to help shoppers make the best and most relevant choices,” Murray said.
There are also other agave spirit styles from Mexico that may grow in popularity as the Tequila market matures.
“Certainly there is much curiosity among discerning Tequila drinkers to experiment with other distillates like Mezcal, Raicilla, Sotol or destilados de agave. It’s a very personable connection one makes with the spirit from the onset of the first sipping experience,” Ponce said.
Codigo Tequila Añejo
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $186
Silver 94 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“Classic, quality Añejo. Complex flavour and aroma. Oak and fruits on the nose, taste of ripe fruits making it smooth and easy to drink.”
Estancia Raicilla
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $82
Silver 94 points
Distributor: Agave Lux
“Lime, zest and piney aromas. Beautiful texture and integration of flavours. Easy to sip and screams for a Margarita.”
El Cristiano XR (Extra Reposado)
Region: Los Altos, Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $160
Silver 93 points
Distributor: Agave Lux
“Amber in colour, caramel sweetness on the nose, and subtle caramel taste with notes of oak.”
Tequila Herradura Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $466.97 for six bottles
Silver 93 points
Distributor: Brown-Forman
“Fruity and complex. Ripe apple and fruits on the nose, with a taste of apples and baked cinnamon, rich and creamy.”
The Lost Explorer Tobala Mezcal
Region: Valles Centrale
ABV: 42% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $183.86
Silver 93 points
Distributor: Proof Drinks Australia
“Refreshing flavour of herbs, with a round, long taste. Fresh aroma of pine and juniper.”
Del Maguey Minero
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 50% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $130
Silver 92 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“Sweetness on the nose and light smoke. Dryness and overripe fruit on the palate, with smoke taking over the finish eventually. The way a Mezcal should be, a well-made bottle of goodness.”
Domingo Especial Espadin
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 50% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $88
Silver 92 points
Distributor: Cerbaco
“Lovely smoke and agave balance. Smokey, vegetal aroma, with a smooth, spicy taste.”
Altos Margarita Lime
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 4.8% Size: 330ml can
Wholesale price: $108 for a 24pack
Silver 92 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“Great RTD, good balance of sweet and sour for easy drinking. Would go well by a swimming pool.”
Anna Postnikova, Bartender, El Primo Sanchez
Andy Milne, Brand Manager, SouthTrade International
Brian Chase Olson, Director, Blend Public Relations
Emma Fogarty, Independent Consultant
Geoff Bollom, Wine Consultant
James France, Spirits Consultant and Founder, Vanguard Luxury Brands
Jim Butcher, Editor, Mr & Mrs Romance
Lucas Bucton, Brand Ambassador, Banks & Solander Distillery
Mark Dorrell, CEO, Allied Beverages
Nick Miles, Brand Specialist, Pernod Ricard
Nigel Weisbaum, National Sales, Old Young’s Distillery & Gingin Gin
Raphael Redant, Venue Manager, Hickson House Distilling Co
“There is enough variety in this lineup to suit anyone from the novice to the serious Tequila consumer. This segment can only grow.”
– Geoff Bollom
Senorio Mezcal Añejo 1 Ano
100% de Agave
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $102.50
Silver 92 points
Distributor: Iconic Beverages
“Vanilla, pineapple and butterscotch aromas. Very smooth palate and beautifully balanced.”
Hot Torque Tequila Añejo
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $100
Silver 91 points
Distributor: HT Imports
“Good amount of spice from the barrel with sweetness on the palate.”
The Lost Explorer Espadin Mezcal
Region: Valles Centrales
ABV: 42% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $94.55
Silver 91 points
Distributor: Proof Drinks Australia
“Clean, vanilla on the nose. Light smoke and rubber palate with tropical undertones.”
Tequila Herradura Plata
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $440.55 for six bottles
Silver 91 points
Distributor: Brown-Forman
“Subtle tropical notes folded into menthol and white flowers. A very soft, warm style. Great for sipping.”
1800 Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $409 for six bottles
Silver 90 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“Plenty going on without overpowering the spirit. Coconut nose with caramel and oak notes.”
Act of Treason
Region: Whitsundays
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $58.83
Silver 90 points
Distributor: Direct (Top Shelf International), Paramount Liquor “Overall a really clean spirit that lets the agave shine. Tropical fruit, cut grass on the nose backed with a sweet agave ferment. The oily mouthfeel helps build a long, full and smooth finish with citrus notes.”
Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $311.50 for six bottles
Silver 90 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“Lemon zest and waxy notes on the nose carry through the palate, which is nicely balanced with a clean, peppermint heat. Very smooth finish, with an oily mouthfeel.”
Patrón Añejo
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700m
RRP: $129.99
Silver 90 points
Distributor: Bacardi-Martini Australia
“Caramel in colour, with caramel and vanilla on the nose, and a smooth, baked agave taste.”
“Overall, there was more vanilla and fruit than I’d traditionally expect, and some of the Añejo were bordering on whisk(e)y characteristics.”
– Emma Fogarty
Tequila belongs to umbrella category of Mezcal, which covers any spirit made from agave. The word Mezcal originates from the Aztec language Nahuatl phrase “metl izcalli”, meaning cooked agave. Mezcal, with a capital “m”, refers to the Denomination of Origin spirit limited to the nine states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Puebla and Zacatecas.
There are three subcategories of Mezcal.
Mezcal Ancestral: The agave may only be roasted in pit ovens, fermented in wooden tanks, hollowed-out stones or tree trunks, or animal skins, and distilled in fire-heated clay pots.
Mezcal Artesenal: The agave must bake over firewood, ferment in wooden vats, and distil in 300 to 400 litre copper alembic.
Mezcal Ensamble: A blend of Mezcals made from different agave varietals.
“The Añejos would be interesting to try with a chocolate dish, while the Blancos would sing with chips and guacamole.”
– Brian Chase Olson
1800 Silver
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $387 for six bottles
Bronze 89 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“Earthy and understated. Aromas of pineapple, grass and agave. Very soft, smooth finish. Great for sipping.”
Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $331 for six bottles
Bronze 89 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“A semi-serious but still fun and enjoyable Reposado. Tropical notes folded in nicely with toast, earth and honey notes. Could be a cocktail spirit or a meal finisher.”
Parón Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
RRP: $113.99
Bronze 89 points
Distributor: Bacardi-Martini Australia
“Straightforward Reposado. Mandarin and tropical notes on the nose. Light caramel and white pepper on the palate. Fruity, with good bite for mixing and a good base for cocktails.”
Tequila Herradura Legend
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $848.48 for four bottles
Bronze 89 points
Distributor: Brown-Forman
“Honey and lemon drop aromas with heavy oak and smooth flavour. Very tasty nip with lots of layers to enjoy. A Tequila for the whiskey drinkers.”
Tequila Tromba Añejo
Region: Los Altos, Jalisco (San Augustin)
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $96.36
Bronze 89 points
Distributor: Craft Revolution
“Still quite serious. Agave-forward with subtle vanilla, tropical banana and honey flavour. Would stand out in a cocktail, and great with salsa and guacamole.”
Amaras Verde Momento
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 42% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $73
Bronze 88 points
Distributor: Cerbaco
“Slight burnt, woodsmoke smell, followed with a smoky palate, but very clean.”
Corazon Tequila Añejo
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $66.91
Bronze 88 points
Distributor: SouthTrade International
“Big alcohol punch, very much like a young Scottish whiskey. Banana, coconut, lime, caramel and honey –nice harmony of flavours. Great to sip but would shine in a cocktail.”
Corazon Tequila Blanco
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $58.32
Bronze 88 points
Distributor: SouthTrade International
“Initial sweetness finishing with elderflower and citrus. A great base for a Margarita.”
Domingo Classico Espadin
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 42% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $77
Bronze 88 points
Distributor: Cerbaco
“Smoky and oaky on the nose with a big agave bite on the palate, and finishes very long. Big, bold and whiskey-like.”
Los Sundays Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $77.82
Bronze 88 points
Distributor: Thirsty Group
“Vanilla and cedar wood on the nose. Lots of vanilla and cream on the palate, with a spicy finish.”
Los Vecinos del Campo Espadin
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 45% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $74.64
Bronze 87 points
Distributor: SouthTrade
International
“A rich and creamy, full maturation agave. Smoky with hints of sweetness.”
Batanga Blanco Tequila
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $67.90
Bronze 86 points
Distributor: Vanguard Luxury
Brands
“Well integrated and balanced flavours. The earthiness was a pretty touch to the more broad, mellow base notes.”
Cazcabel Reposado Tequila
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $64.44
Bronze 86 points
Distributor: Proof Drinks Australia
“Tropical vanilla and cocoa butter creamy nose, with a velvety texture. Subtle heat, a great sipping Tequila.”
Los Sundays Blanco
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $67.78
Bronze 86 points
Distributor: Thirsty Group
“Light, grassy nose. Delicate palate of hay, touch of vanilla with a nice creamy finish. A nice, subtle sipping Blanco, would also stand up in a Margarita.”
Patrón Silver
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
RRP: $102.99
Bronze 86 points
Distributor: Bacardi-Martini Australia
“Well-balanced, full agave taste. A great Blanco and all-round Tequila for mixing.”
Siempre Tequila Añejo
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $714 for six bottles
Bronze 86 points
Distributor: Essence of Harrogate
“Whiskey-like aromas, with a warming taste of spices and vanilla.”
Del Maguey Vida
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 42% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $85
Bronze 85 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“Layered complexity, a robust, industrial type of smoke. Initial palate of bright citrus, lingering smoke layers and a dry woody finish.”
Derrumbes San Luis Potosi (Salmiana)
Region: San Luis Potosi
ABV: 44.9% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $95
Bronze 85 points
Distributor: Agave Lux
“Bright green bell pepper on the nose, lovely and vibrant. Nice sweetness on the palate – kaffir lime leaf, bullhorn pepper and fresh okra. A great example of Mezcal.”
With the growing interest in agave spirits, Act of Treason provides the market with an Australian-owned, grown, and produced agave spirit. This indicates the market potential for agave spirits produced outside of controlled Denominations of Origin.
Trent Fraser, CEO, Top Shelf International explained the brand’s unique appeal to the Australian market.
“Australia’s consumption of agave spirits is among the highest per capita in the world. The category is growing year on year but is dominated by Tequila and Mezcal, with limited participation from other regions. We identified an opportunity to expand the category and create a new region for agave right here in Australia.
“We’re approaching this as an opportunity to create something new and expand the horizons of a category that has been geographically limited for centuries. In many ways it’s no different to the transformation and growth Australian wine underwent three decades ago,” he said.
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $87
Bronze 85 points
Distributor: Vanguard Luxury Brands
“Good weight on the palate, silky mouthfeel and texture. Initial nose of an earthy, mulch aroma. Light and peppery opening on first sip, with a subtle sweetness to finish.”
Region: Zacatecas
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $62.50
Bronze 85 points
Distributor: Agave Lux
“Vanilla, pineapple and nutty flavours, agave-forward.”
Storywood Speyside 7 Tequila
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $78.79
Bronze 85 points
Distributor: Proof Drinks Australia
“Complex and fruity. Strong alcohol aroma, with a taste of fruit and nuts, and a sweet, sugary finish.”
Corazon Tequila Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $61.67
Bronze 84 points
Distributor: SouthTrade International
“Blossoming and fragrant nose, orange peel, citrus oils. Initial honey sweetness on palate, followed by quick hit of vanilla, recognisable oak note.”
Tequila Herradura Añejo
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $507.19 for six bottles
Bronze 84 points
Distributor: Brown-Forman
“Cooked pineapple rind and chamomile on the nose. Nice vegetal note on the palate with a creamy texture. Notes of honey on the finish.”
400 Conejos
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 38% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $415 for six bottles
Bronze 83 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“Well balanced with sweetness and hints of earthy body. Plenty of smoke but nuanced and easily mixed into cocktails.
Codigo Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $115
Bronze 83 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“Beautiful body with no added sweetness, how a Reposado should be. This Reposado stands out and
was super smooth. For sipping or in a cocktail, this is world class.”
Hot Torque Tequila Blanco
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $78
Bronze 83 points
Distributor: HT Imports
“Lovely, thick texture, great length and very smooth.”
Senorio Mezcal Joven 100% de Agave
Region: Oaxaca
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $81
Bronze 83 points
Distributor: Iconic Beverages
“Caramel coated candy aroma leads into an initial fairy floss sweetness on the nose, a touch of citrus oils to finish.”
Don Fulano Reposado
Region: Los Altos, Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $93
Bronze 82 points
Distributor: Cerbaco
“Strong vanilla and peachy apricot aromas. Robust palate with a bit of heat.”
While the popularity of the Margarita has contributed significantly to the growing interest in Tequila, other Tequilabased cocktails are emerging as popular serves.
“Education continues to be key for Tequila, with consumers interested in investing into premium Tequila but often unsure of how to mix or consume at home. It’s a matter of helping them to understand how it fits into their drinking repertoire,” a Proximo Spirits spokesperson said.
Mexico’s favourite Tequila cocktail, the Paloma, mixes Tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda.
“The sharp, citrusy flavour of a Paloma can offset the sweetness traditionally found in a Margarita and the grapefruit offers an added layer of complexity in the serve,” Mah said.
Ranch Water is a simple and refreshing serve growing in popularity in America, and is a mix of lime, soda water, and Tequila.
“Once people realise what a tasty, refreshing, and easy drink it is, Ranch Water will be massive. It’s the number one Tequila RTD in the US at the moment,” Chappell said.
Batanga Reposado Tequila
Region: Jalisco
Region: Los Altos, Jalisco (San Augustin)
ABV: 55% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $97.55
Bronze 82 points
Distributor: Craft Revolution “Nutty, earthy body with a dry finish.”
1800 Cristalino
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 35% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $495 for six bottles
Bronze 81 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“Beautiful. Soft nose, and a lot of sweetness on the palate with tastes of cooked agave and honey.”
Altos Plata
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $60.98
Bronze 81 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“The nose is sweet, but the body is earthy and spicy.”
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $71
Bronze 81 points
Distributor: Vanguard Luxury Brands
“Well-balanced palate of honey and citrus with an agave sweetness to finish. Solid performer and well made.”
Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $311.50 for six bottles
Bronze 81 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“An inviting nose, reminiscent of a herb garden, hint of rosemary. Nice layer of agave, hint of caramel, herbal and slightly spicy punch to the finish.”
Tequila Tromba Cinco Cinco Blanco“It’s great to see a big push towards the Tequila and Mezcal trend. It is an undervalued spirit category, and with Australian agave making progress, it’s going to be an interesting landscape to see develop in the coming months.” – Jim Butcher
OJALÁ Blanco
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 37% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $48.98
Bronze 81 points
Distributor: Thirsty Group
“Aromas of vanilla and blossoms. Orange, cinnamon and white pepper on the palate, with a medium finish.”
1800 Añejo
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $431 for six bottles
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“Tannic and woody on the nose. Clove and cedarwood on the front palate, giving way to vegetal notes with a hint of spice. Cooked vegetal notes flow through.”
Codigo 1530 Blanco
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $85.34
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“A true representation of Blanco. Not hiding behind vanilla sweetness and showing good balance of flavours with agave plant shining through. Elegant, yet light on the nose, with a nice hint of spice on the finish.”
Codigo 1530 Rosa
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 35% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $97.34
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Pernod Ricard
“Floral and aromatic nose. Soft and pleasant on the palate, just enough to make its presence felt. Well made and a good entry Tequila for new consumers.”
Don Fulano Fuerte
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 50% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $108
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Cerbaco
“A unique type of confectionery sweetness on the nose, bright and floral. The typical agave note is quiet until the finish.”
Echuca Distillery Smoked Agave Spirit
Region: Echuca, Victoria
ABV: 40% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $77
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Direct, Prime Beverage Solutions
“Fruit-forward tropical notes on the nose. Pineapple, coconut and fruit on the palate with a nice cocoa pepper finish.”
El Toro Grano de Café
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 35% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $56.50
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Vok Beverages
“Rich, chocolatey aroma. Coffee beans and mocha on the palate. Very pleasant.”
El Toro Clasico Blanco
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 35% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $36.92
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Vok Beverages
“Fresh and complex. Spirit-forward and fruity, with an almost grappalike smooth taste.”
El Toro Grapefruit Paloma
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 4.5% Size: 330ml can Wholesale price: $16.50 for a four-pack
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Vok Beverages
“Grapefruit and rosewater on the nose. Pleasant drink and taste, quick simple citrus hit, sweet and bubbly.”
Flecha Azul Añejo Tequila
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $120
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Vanguard Luxury Brands
“Very sweet on the nose and highly drinkable. Sweet vanilla notes.”
Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 40% Size: 750ml
Wholesale price: $96
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Vanguard Luxury Brands
“Vanilla body with spicy notes. Surprisingly sharp and oaky.”
Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver
Region: Jalisco
ABV: 38% Size: 700ml
Wholesale price: $331 for six bottles
Bronze 80 points
Distributor: Proximo Spirits
“Aroma of herbs, wood and insect, with an oily finish and long aftertaste.”
In celebration of International Women’s Day this month, National Liquor News spoke to influential women across the Australian liquor industry about their experiences and achievements.
International Women’s Day is held on 8 March every year as a day to celebrate women’s strengths and to continue the fight for gender equality. This year’s theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, which calls for women’s involvement in all spheres of life, as well as recognising the unique perspectives and challenges of women with diverse backgrounds and identities.
From an industry perspective, this means empowering women to take on a broad range of roles and striving for gender parity across all levels of business, from entry-level positions to leadership roles. It also means welcoming diversity and understanding that this is a means of strengthening businesses and the industry.
As we all know, the liquor industry is about much more than just the products on the shelf. It is also an industry of connection and collaboration. The women who spoke to National Liquor News for this feature have made the industry better through their participation and are empowering other women to forge their own paths ahead.
People Advisor at Endeavour Group and Retail Drinks Australia’s Young Liquor Retailer of the Year Tess Sharp’s career in liquor retail began at the age of 24 as Assistant Store Manager for Dan Murphy’s, and she says her career shaped the person she is today.
As the recipient of the 2023 Retail Drinks Australia (RDA) Young Liquor Retailer of the Year award, Sharp currently sits on the RDA Board as an observer, which has provided her with a deeper understanding of the issues facing the industry, and how RDA advocates for the sector in respect to these challenges.
“Despite making up a significant portion of the workforce in the sector, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles across the entire industry,” she says.
“More than ever, I see our industry evolving in ways that are empowering women. However, statistics and lived experience tells us that women are still disproportionately subjected to discrimination and harassment, as well as being underestimated and not taken seriously in leadership roles.
“While it can be difficult, we all need to be committed to breaking through these barriers and resetting what never should have been acceptable in the first place.”
Sharp says the best single piece of advice she can give, is to get yourself a mentor who will challenge your way of thinking and the way that you see the world.
“Having a great mentor will not only help you to navigate challenges and be a great sounding board for when you need to sense check, but they will help you with your personal and professional growth by providing you with honest feedback.”
Nicole David has an extensive history in liquor retail, spanning nearly 40 years. She has been keenly aware of the underrepresentation of women in the retail liquor industry, having only recently reached gender parity in her own store.
Two years ago, David took over her family’s liquor story during a period of ill health for her father. It was at this point that she realised the full extent of her professional capabilities.
“Sometimes when you are pushed into a situation where you have to step up, you surprise even yourself,” she said.
For David, the key challenge for women in the retail liquor industry is recognition for their skills and their efforts. In the future, she would like to see retail liquor promoted as a valid and rewarding career path for young women.
“We need to open up the conversation about the liquor industry as a career path and show young women where it can take them.”
With a background in corporate marketing, Kate Burls never expected to enter the liquor retail industry until she inherited a bottle shop. The career change came with a learning curve, as Burls went from employee to employer, but she found many of her existing skills also applied to liquor retail.
“Like any small business, you have to be able to multitask, and most importantly communicate and that is something women have in spades,” she said.
While Burls recognises that the liquor industry is male-dominated, she has seen an increasing number of women enter the industry.
“They bring a little je ne sais quoi to the industry that appeals to the female market, thus creating greater variety in the market, which can’t be a bad thing,” she said.
Burls encourages women in the industry, or looking to join, to have a clear vision, be prepared to fight for their beliefs, and have a solid support crew to help them through difficult times.
“Most importantly, enjoy the ride. The liquor industry can be very fulfilling and rewarding and a lot of fun along the way.”
Co-Founder of Taylor and Smith Distilling Co
From her younger years spent as a sailor to a student of Environmental Science, Natalie Smith has had an extremely diverse career. Together with her partner Ben Taylor, Smith co-founded Taylor and Smith Distilling Co, and she says the business is a reflection of their culture and beliefs.
“We have consciously made a decision to minimise the gender bias and be inclusive in our approach. With our brand, our mission is bringing people together, sharing stories of place through our spirits.”
At the distillery, Smith says the duo have worked hard to build a strong team that involves some fantastic women from a diverse range of backgrounds.
“These women have strongly influenced the directions we have taken, the types of products we offer and how they are marketed,” she added.
Increasing the number of women in the industry is an important step in valuing and encouraging women’s inclusion, Smith says, and ensuring that as women we support each other to succeed.
“This is additionally challenging in a competitive market, but understanding that strong local industries that are inclusive for women and where their voices are heard loud, clear and respected, is an important building block to strengthening the industry overall.”
Kathleen Davies began her career in the hospitality industry in the early 90s, starting out as a bartender and later moving into sales and marketing roles in the liquor industry.
Since founding Nip of Courage in 2013, some of Davies’ career highlights include the national expansion of her business, her previous position on the Board of Women in Hospitality and now as the Chairperson for Women of Australian Distilling.
“I am passionate about helping women to reach their potential and giving them the support and career advice that I wish I had in the early years of my career. My goal is to see more women in the future sitting on boards and holding more senior positions within the liquor and hospitality industry,” she says.
For Davies, one of the biggest challenges that stands out is women missing out on career advancement opportunities, and she believes this is often a result of imposter syndrome.
“As women, I believe at one stage or another we purposefully derail our own careers without knowing it.”
Sharing her own advice for overcoming self-doubt, Davies says women should “think like a man and wing it”, explaining that men don’t always tick every box when applying for a role but willingly take the risk, and so should women.
“The best lessons in life are learnt when we fail or don’t get the job we really wanted,” added Davies. “Learn from your failures and get up and give it another crack.”
Marketing Director at Four Corners (which includes Four Pillars and Vanguard)
While Jemma Blanch points out that the craft spirits industry is an inclusive space where she is surrounded by a lot of vibrant women, she says you can’t escape the challenges that come when starting a family.
“Being pregnant and having young kids is tough when you’re expected to be out at night, keeping up with new venues and trends and everyone around you is drinking. It does play on your mind a bit.”
But despite these challenges, Blanch says that 2023 really felt like the year of epic women.
“Between the Matildas, Taylor Swift and Barbie, I think the economic and cultural influence of women is flowing through society. I would like to think it is also giving women confidence to value themselves. That absolutely has to happen before other people will value them, and I’m hopeful that is happening in a big way.”
Co-Founder of Modus Operandi Brewing and Founder of NORT Brewing
Alongside her husband, Jaz Wearin co-founded Modus Brewing 10 years ago, and the past decade has been filled with highlights and challenges.
Motherhood has been an important facet of Wearin’s life and career, with her pregnancy cravings serving as the driving force behind the launch of NORT non-alcoholic beer. Being a working mother has provided its own share of challenges.
“I would love to see a world where the government works with business owners to come up with a more fulsome offer for working mums, so they do not fall behind in their career, salary and super contributions,” she said.
For Wearin, seeing more influential women in senior positions, giving keynote speeches, and being featured in media throughout the year would encourage more women to enter the industry.
“I always remember when I first started out hearing Peta Fielding from Burleigh Brewing as a keynote speaker and it was one of those moments that made me realise that women have a very important place in the industry.”
Co-Founder of Manly Spirits Co
Vanessa Wilton’s venture into the liquor industry stemmed from a strong desire to craft premium Australian spirits specifically for her local community. Wilton drew attention to the strengths of women in business, as well as some of the risk-averse behaviours that many women have to overcome to see business success.
“It’s widely acknowledged that women excel in initiating businesses, yet may grapple with self-confidence and navigating financial risks to scale their ventures to the next level.
“It’s a delicate dance between managing cash flow and embracing calculated risks—a challenge I’ve encountered firsthand.
“Many of us have a natural inclination to create a secure ‘nest,’ which makes the notion of discarding it in pursuit of a potentially larger one quite daunting. Perhaps it’s the nurturing instinct that many women carry from their personal lives that flows into their approach to business. Interestingly, this nurturing quality can also serve as a tremendous asset.”
For Suzanne Blake, success is less about career defining pivotal moments, but rather a focus on turning up each day and being the best version of yourself, an approach that has been the cornerstone of shaping who she is today personally and professionally.
Speaking about eliminating hierarchies, Blake says she will be forever appreciative of an approach introduced by a respected industry leader during her time in the wine industry.
“An approach introduced to develop organisational effectiveness by enabling the time to think; individually, in meetings, and across every organisational interaction with courage and rigor, […] and creating a culture of ease, appreciation, empowerment, understanding, equality and respect.”
According to Blake, fostering a sense of inclusion and empowerment is critical to diversity and shaping meaningful experiences both inside and outside of the workplace.
“Be true to yourself, have the courage to speak up, be curious, build strong and diverse networks, and ask for what you need. You may be surprised with the level of support available, and if it’s not available, create it,” she added.
“Don’t be afraid to lean into tough conversations with empathy, humility and compassion, bring your support networks in when required, be proud of your achievements and celebrate those around you. Having these qualities builds great leaders.”
Globally, we have witnessed the growth of the better-for-you liquor category in recent years, encompassing a spectrum of healthier alternatives such as low-sugar, low-carb, and low-alcohol, driven primarily by lifestyle choices, mindful consumption, and consumer knowledge.
Eddie Brook, Co-Founder and CEO of Cape Byron Distillery, which has just entered the better-for-you market with the release of Brookie’s Free Spirited lowcalorie non-alcoholic RTDs, says the key opportunity in this space is providing a new level of quality and drink experience to the consumer.
“Drinkers’ expectations of the category have grown significantly, being nonalcoholic or zero sugar isn’t good enough anymore. Consumers want a variety of flavours and drink experiences, as good, if not better, than the traditional categories.
“Therein lies the opportunity for retailers to ensure that they are providing the elevation of quality to their customers through ranging options that exceed the drinkers’ expectations.”
Within the better-for-you space, trends are driven by distinct consumer behaviours, and Austin Peace, Co-Founder of Bel Bev Co, a producer of vegan, low-sugar wines, says the category primarily attracts healthconscious consumers.
“[This] includes Millennials and Gen Z, who value products that are transparent and a healthier alternative. We can appeal to this demographic by emphasising innovative product attributes that align with a cleaner, conscious lifestyle.”
One thing that Michael Clifford, Founder of Mode Seltzer, has taken away from
his involvement in the category, is that consumers want information.
“Consumers want to know where the ingredients are from, they want to know the process. One of our early mistakes was not including a nutrition information panel, which we quickly rectified after receiving a lot of questions.
“As the seltzer category has matured over the last few years, there is growing recognition among consumers that there is a difference between products that are marketed as low-calorie, but use flavourings, and other products which use essences, natural extracts and real juices.”
Speaking about the no- and low-alcohol segment of the category, Brook says the trend is driven by a shift towards moderation drinking, and recent IWSR data indicates that 82 per cent of alcohol-free drinkers also consume alcohol.
With many people questioning how long the trend will last, Brook says a fundamental shift in drinking habits means the category is here to stay.
“My recommendation to retailers is to learn and listen to your customers. Premium drinkers are purchasing more [better-for-you] options than ever before, but their expectation of quality and drink experience has increased. The opportunity is to ensure that your ranging meets and exceeds our drinkers’ expectations.”
In-store, Bowen sees liquid on lips as the key to consumer education and category recruitment.
“I always believe in product trialing, whether this is a bonus bottle of a new product or instore tastings. Retailers are the key link between producers and consumers, so supporting them to educate the consumer on the value of certain products is key.”
Sharing this sentiment, Peace says: “Continue to educate and empower consumers by giving them the information and clarity over what is in their products so they can be satisfied that they’re making the best choice.”
“I always believe in product trialing, whether this is a bonus bottle of a new product or in-store tastings. Retailers are the key link between producers and consumers, so supporting them to educate the consumer on the value of certain products is key.”
– Oscar Bowen, Founder and Director, Barossa Cider Co
“Looking at the excise changes, I would say that’s a huge challenge for the better-for-you category, leaving people with less money to spend on product development and innovation.”– Michael Clifford, Founder, Mode Seltzer
“The concept of mindful drinking is not about abstinence but having a better relationship with alcohol. We are seeing younger and older generations taking on this behaviour by having periods of not drinking or being sobercurious and exploring non-alcoholic options.
“The challenge and opportunity here, is creating and elevating drink experiences for those practicing mindful consumption. This is where our Free-Spirited range hits the mark.”
Charlie Downing, Head of Brand and Marketing at Burleigh Brewing Co, which has several no-carb lagers and mid-strength beers in its portfolio, says mental and physical health benefits are influencing consumer purchasing decisions.
“Moderation of alcohol consumption plays into lower strength ABVs, while lower carb beers play into dietary needs. Both lower alcohol and lower carb offers naturally deliver lower calories, so we see strong correlation between these varied functional benefits.”
Also gaining traction in this area are products with vegan credentials. By offering vegan beverages, Clifford says retailers can cater to a market that has previously been ignored, capitalising on a category that is still emerging.
“As an increasing number of consumers ask for better visibility on labelling for vegan products, it becomes apparent that it’s less about filtering through the ingredients, and being able to rely on a label that tells you this is a vegan product rather than drawing the dots yourself.”
As the better-for-you market matures, innovation will support growth and premiumisation of the category. One such example is the recent expansion in no- and low-carb lagers and ales, resulting in quality and price tiers that mirror the total category.
“A flood of new entrants competing in no- and low-carb beer signals that there’s headroom for further growth in the segment, and increased marketing activity from established variants means competing brands are jostling for position on retail shelves and in the minds of consumers,” says Downing.
“Mainstream brands are competing on price, whereas quality brands are trading up shoppers looking for a more premium brand experience.”
But as is often the case with innovation, new product development isn’t without its challenges. Speaking about the production of the Barossa Cider Co Mid Strength Cider, Founder Oscar Bowen says some of the technical challenges include maintaining tight control of the ferment and having rapid lab analysis capabilities.
He also says: “When producing a mid-strength cider, it’s always challenging to get the same amount of flavour into the product due to the lower alcohol, so fruit selection is very important. We have great relationships with our growers, which helps us to manage the fruit quality.”
Similarly, Peace explains that the production of vegan wine can present its own obstacles.
“The fining process is completely different and adds cost and complexity to the process, however, it is ultimately aligned with a product that we wanted to consume ourselves and has been worth every part of the pain.” ■
In February, Australia’s beer and spirits industries were hit with another tax hike following the onset of the bi-annual CPI increase. For beer with alcohol exceeding three per cent in an individual container less than eight litres, tax has now increased to $60.12 per litre of pure alcohol, while spirits tax now sits at $101.85 per litre of alcohol.
Having a detrimental effect on both industries, Clifford believes it could hinder growth of the better-for-you category, which relies heavily on innovation and investment.
“Looking at the excise changes, I would say that’s a huge challenge for the better-for-you category, leaving people with less money to spend on product development and innovation,” he says.
“In the past, the category has been driven by smaller brands and independents who have seen a gap in the market, but the increase in excise really puts pressure on these types of businesses to be able to spend the time, money and effort to bring new products to market.”
From jammy sweet to tart and taut, we dove into the fruit bowl that is beer these days to bring you a snapshot of what Australian craft breweries are doing to showcase this most dynamic of adjuncts. And we found much to delight over too, where our expert panel mulled over the likes of a fruited sour with roots that date back to Aztec times and even a fruited pastry sour with blue spirulina, mango and coconut cream (I’ll give you one guess who it’s from!). But amongst the 137 different craft beverages we road tested for this issue there are beers and ciders from all along the style spectrum too, including a divine DDH Tripel worthy of a birthday celebration and an IPA that we should start a new cult in its honour. And despite the fact it is summer, there’s even a milk stout amongst them that we seriously recommend you run, don’t walk, for. If you’re a brewery not receiving our invite email to partake in our tastings but would like to, email us at info@beerandbrewer.com
What’s our Seasonal Focus?
Not all submissions to our tasting panel are featured in the following pages. This could be because of space restrictions, that we already reviewed it in the recent past or the product did not meet our panel’s requirements. We’re not in the business of running any one down, and if there is a chance to speak with a brewery about issues that may have arisen during a tasting, then we will endeavour to pass that information on in the interest of transparency.
Jono Outred, WA
Based in Margaret River, Jono is a beer writer that predominantly covers the South West of WA. He’s been involved in the state’s beer industry in various capacities since 2011.
David Ward, ACT
After 15 years in the craft beer world, David is now working for Gravity Seltzer. However, you can often still find him in a front bar enjoying a craft beer or three.
Tina Panoutsos, VIC
One of Australia’s leading beer judges, Tina is a beer sensory expert with over 30 years’ experience in the brewing industry in roles across technical and commercial functions.
Josh Quantrill, NSW
Josh is a Certified Cicerone® currently working at 4 Pines Brewing who has extensive experience in the beer industry in the UK and Australia.
Ian Kingham, NSW
That Beer Bloke, Ian’s decorated beer career has included judging at Australia’s best competitions while he’s currently the Sydney Royal’s Chair of Judges.
Michael Capaldo, NSW
National sales rep at Hop Products Australia, Michael is a qualified and experienced brewer and an accomplished beer judge (GABS, World Beer Cup, Indies, AIBA etc).
Jamie Webb-Smith, NSW
Previously a brewer at The Australian Brewery, Jamie is currently head brewer at Yulli’s Brews in Sydney. He’s a home brewer turned pro, who completed the NSW TAFE microbrewing course.
Jake Brandish, WA
Beer & Brewer’s HomeBrewer editor, Jake has a post-grad Dip in Brewing, is a BJCP judge, has brewed commercially and is an all round beer geek.
Benji Bowman, NSW
With six years of industry experience in Australian craft beer and cider, Benji is now the state sales manager at Local Drinks Collective, working to increase the footprint and awareness of independent liquor in Australia.
Craig Butcher, SA
Based in the Barossa Valley, Craig has 20-plus years’ experience in the liquor industry including winery cellarhand, tastings and sales, newbie homebrewer and beermad bottleshop guy.
Alice Lynch, WA
A Perth-based sales rep for Beerfarm, Alice’s start in the craft beer world came by slinging pints at Two Birds in Melbourne. She’s here to force an end to random men being shocked that women love beer.
Briony Liebich, SA
After leading the sensory program at West End Brewery, beer writer, national beer and cider judge, educator and Certified Cicerone® Briony runs Flavour Logic to boost tasting skills and sensory quality programs.
Lindsay Astarita, VIC
Certified Cicerone®, beer judge and the sensory and quality coordinator at Stomping Ground, Lindsay is passionate about beer education and all things quality.
Liam Pereira, NSW
Liam is head of hospitality and community at Sydney’s White Bay Beer Co. A Certified Cicerone® and BJCP judge, he was also previously general manager of Sydney Beer Week.
Tom Wood, SA
Previously at Bright Brewery and Little Creatures, Tom is now Mismatch’s head brewer. With a B.Sc (Hons) in Environmental Science and an IBD Diploma in Brewing, he has experience judging several beer competitions nationwide.
Alli Macdonald, NSW
Alli has had brewing roles within the beer and cider industry at CUB, Matilda Bay and Little Creatures. Currently head brewer at Malt Shovel, she also has industry judging experience and is a Certified Beer Server.
Evan Belogiannis, NSW
Evan has been brewing beer at Frenchies Bistro & Brewery for over two years. He’s on a neverending quest to find and brew the crispiest, tastiest lagers.
Vincent de Soyres, NSW
As co-owner and head brewer at Frenchies Bistro & Brewery, Vince develops award winning brews that extend beyond the limits of traditional beer categories and styles.
Adam Carswell, VIC
Based in Bendigo, Adam’s been the proprietor of the awardwinning Cambrian Hotel for almost a decade. He’s a passionate advocate of independent beer and traditional pub culture.
Anna Reissig, VIC
Anna has been a part of the beer industry for over seven years, having worked in roles for The Crafty Pint, Good Beer Week and the IBA, and is currently the assistant category manager for beer and cider at Endeavour Drinks Group.
ABV: 10.5%
Style: Imperial Stout With a flavour profile that leans luxurious, it offers rich bitter chocolate layered atop charcoal- like malt-bitterness, earthy tones, raisins, and dense fruit cake. A lacey mocha head and black inky tones ensure this robust stout looks the part when pouring. A reinforced take on their core range stout, it’s well-constructed with lasting impact thanks to its higher ABV, bold flavour and lingering bitterness.
Food: Blue cheese & marmalade blackbrewingco.com.au
ABV: 7.1%
Style: Hazy IPA Golden straw with a nice white head and haze for days, the aroma is akin to wandering into Taylor Swift’s Forklore era and you’re surrounded by pine trees as far as the eye can see alongside a hint of guava and passionfruit. Smooth and silky in mouthfeel, there’s malt upfront, fruitiness and then slight hop bitterness. The three distinct layers complement each other and there is a slight grapefruit pithiness in the aftertaste.
Food: Hot chicken wings hopnation.com.au
ABV: 3.5%
Style: Mid-strength
Hazy Pale
Great execution for a mid-strength, a sumptuous mouthfeel means you don’t notice the fact it’s lower in alcohol. Pale gold with very high haze and a white head, hop spiciness hits the nose followed by ripe mango, freshly squeezed OJ and pineapple. With less intensity, those notes carry over along with a sherbet-like finish. Thick and creamy mouthfeel with a nice carbonic bite and a clean sharp finish.
Food: Trifle hopnation.com.au
ABV: 4.4%
Style: Helles Lager A beer that would do the Reinheitsgebot proud! A lightly hazed pale straw liquid is topped with an airy white head which leads to enticing aromas of water crackers and fields of wheat. The aroma repeats and is elaborated on the palate with lemon rind and orange blossom. The malt profile is strong yet delicate, complementing the citrus and subtly floral hops. All tied together with a crisp and lively carbonation.
Food: Roo hotdog devilshollow.com.au
ABV: 7.2%
Style: Hazy IPA
A nice bright yellow in colour with good haze and moderate head retention, aroma brings lovely and bright mango, pineapple and orange notes for a vibrant breakfast juice vibe. Hop flavour translates extremely well and would only be better served with a bit more of a robust body. Well judged bitterness to finish.
Food: Vanilla cheesecake felonsbrewingco.com.au
ABV: 5.6%
Style: Pilsner
This is a beauty. Light straw in appearance with good lacing foam, it offers grassy light malt notes while the palate is clean, crisp and refreshing with light residual maltiness evident on the finish. This would make a great food beer as its characteristics lends itself to many dishes.
Food: Thai chicken salad frogshollowbrewingco. com.au
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Pale Ale
Pale straw and hazy while a great head captures much of the tropical fruit hop notes that follow through on the palate. A light hint of ripe pineapple, passionfruit and summer stone fruit isn’t over the top, instead well integrated, clean and balanced. Typical of Pacific Ale characteristics, it’s light on the palate, with a subdued bitterness and clean crisp finish. Quite moreish.
Food: Sausage sandwich dangerousales.com
ABV: 4.8%
Style: Pale Ale
Dark copper with a touch of amber red and high in clarity with a thick offwhite head, caramel malt aroma leads followed by orange, tangerine, tropical fruit and a hint of grass. Big chewy caramalts are met with medium hop flavour and a medium hop bitterness that cuts through the malt. Medium in body and carbonation and medium high bitterness lead to a full body with a nicely balanced bitter finish.
Food: Pepper steak banga.beer
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Pale Ale
The collab with Blue Mountains-based explorers #LOSTMTNS is pineapple juice-like topped with a prominent, foamy white head that lingers. A flavourful profile rich in pineapple, tropical notes and hints of citrus is mirrored in aroma while mouthfeel is substantial.
Food: Scroggin mountainculture.com.au
ABV: 5.2%
Style: Pale Ale
Reminding us of what APA’s were like in their glory days, it has a lovely copper appearance with vibrant aromas. Malt character is medium/strong and helps propel the wonderful hop characters of peach, lime zest and passionfruit into another flavour stratosphere.
Food: Brisket Roll moffatbeachbrewingco. beer
On World Margarita Day, guests arrived at the Sydney Opera House’s Yallamundi Rooms to celebrate one of the hottest cocktails du jour with Cointreau.
Josh Varna, Cointreau Brand Ambassador, welcomed guests to the event.
“Who would have thought all the way back in 1948 when a Dallas socialite put Cointreau, Tequila and a little splash of lime juice together, that we would be celebrating that for a whole day 76 years later. Of course, Tequila and lime are important but there is a very famous saying that a Margarita without Cointreau is not worth the salt on the rim. If the person that made it said it, it’s got to be true.”
Taylors Wines transformed part of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens into a Garden of Chill from Friday 9 February to Sunday 11 February, celebrating perfectly chilled red wine in the height of summer.
The Garden of Chill menu featured select red wines from Taylors award-winning Estate range served at the optimum temperature on vino-coloured bean bags, with chilled-out tunes, a charcuterie and cold pizza slices from Pasticceria Papa.
Guests to the pop-up also had the chance to get their hands on Taylors Shiraz Slushy, made for red wine refreshment on a hot summer day, with drink specials that commenced when the day’s Celsius hit its max and each day showcasing a new offer to enjoy.
“We talk a lot about temperature at Taylors, but it really is the single most important factor to getting the most out of your wine and somehow seems to be the biggest pitfall,” said Mitchell Taylor, third generation Winemaker and Managing Director of Taylors Wines.
The Taylors Garden of Chill took place on the Mare and Foal Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, and encouraged visitors to discover the joys of a perfectly chilled glass of red wine.
The Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival is making a comeback on Saturday 16 March, marking the 17th edition of the popular event.
The annual street-style festival, taking place at the heritage Mercure Canberra in Braddon, will showcase more than 40 local and interstate drinks exhibitors, offering up 250 craft beers, ciders and spirits for visitors to choose from.
Well-renowned Australian producers including Coastal Brewing Company, Sydney Brewery, Mountain Goat, Bucketty’s Brewing Co, Thirsty Devil Brewery and Ambrosia Distillery will hold drinks stands, alongside many others.
This year’s food offering will include a variety of stands with dishes such as BBQ meat, nachos, burgers, fish and chips, and more.
Accompanying the food and drink offering will be live entertainment from local bands, and a local DJ playing into the afternoon. As a family friendly environment, entry for children under 12 will be free, with face painting and jumping castle activations on site.
Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival is now powered collaboratively by the teams behind the GABS festivals, the Finer Drop Festival and the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival.
Embarking on its 15th milestone, Ichi Group is set to mark the occasion with an exclusive dinner sponsored by Nikka Whisky, raising the bar as the group celebrates 15 years of flavour, fun and culinary finesse.
The evening will centre around a curated five course omakase menu, each dish expertly paired with a Nikka Whisky. The menu, which has been dubbed Aged to Perfection: Ichis Whisky Odyssey, will celebrate the art of aging, both in years and in barrels, with every dish representing a different chapter.
Jake Sofo, Group General Manager of the Ichi Group, who has been with the group since day one, says: “This celebration is more than a milestone, it’s a testament to the group’s unwavering commitment to culinary mastery and creating memorable experiences.”
The dinner will take place on Friday 15 March from 6pm at Ichi Ni Nana in Fitzroy, Melbourne, and tickets include a welcome drink of Nikka Old Fashioned and the five course omakase dinner and whisky pairing.