Local Northern Rivers Distillery and Cellar Door Café is Now Open
Husk Distillers creators of Ink Gin, Spiced Bam Bam and Pure Cane opened their new purpose-built distillery and cellar door / café at North Tumbulgum in Northern Rivers NSW in 2019.
The opening was a very exciting time for Husk Distillers and the community of Tumbulgum. The 600+ residents of postcode 2490 have watched patiently as the site has developed over the last two years. The highly anticipated new cellar door is a welcome addition to the Tweed Valley region and Northern Rivers tourism.
Australian Actress puts Ink Gin and Tumbulgum on the Map
Ink Gin has been popular since the first batch was produced. When Australian actress Margot Robbie posted an image of herself drinking a Pink Ink Gin cocktail on the Gold Coast, everyone wanted to know what she was drinking.
The Instagram photo attracted over 1.2 million likes and was a massive marketing win for Husk Distillers. Ink Gin is actually dark blue and changes to a gorgeous blush pink, when tonic water is added. It’s a great party trick.
Where is North Tumbulgum?
Tumbulgum New South Wales is located 1 hour 20, south of Brisbane CBD, 20 minutes south of Coolangatta Gold Coast International Airport and less than an hour from Queensland’s most famous Gold Coast beach, Surfers Paradise. Beautiful Byron Bay is just 40 minutes’ drive south of Tumbulgum.
The distillery and cellar door café is located at North Tumbulgum on the other side of Tweed River and the main village of Tumbulgum. Tumbulgum is an ideal lazy Sunday daytrip or short stay destination for weekend road warriors.
Groups of motorbike riders and cyclist’ enthusiasts are attracted to Tumbulgum’s destination as a pit-stop for lunch, coffee or cold beer. Visitors to Husk Farm Distillery are now sipping quality craft gins and rum cocktails surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Tweed Valley.
Things to Do in Tumbulgum NSW
For more information on Tumbulgum and Things to Do at Tumbulgum click here.
From Humble Beginnings
Husk Distillers started its boutique business from a tiny farm-shed in 2012 on their 150-acre cane and cattle property at North Tumbulgum. Distiller Paul Messenger and wife Mandy and their three daughters have created a premium award-winning range of paddock to bottle Australian spirits. Husk’s alcoholic beverages are made from plantation sugar cane grown on their farm which overlooks the lush Tweed Valley, Tweed River and virgin rainforest.
Global Success Story
From the success of their floral infused Australian craft gin (Ink Gin), the business outgrew the 9m x 7m farm-shed distillery, and in late 2016 a new gin and rum distillery building commenced.
Husk Distillers are the proud owners of the first Forsyths copper pot still shipped from Scotland to Australia. The large copper pot still is the centrepiece of the new distillery and is affectionately named the “Fat Bastard.”
Craft spirits Ink Gin, Spiced Bam Bam Rum and Pure Cane Rum are available Online, Dan Murphys, leading liquor stores and duty-free from Australian International Airports.
What the Difference Between Agricole and Rum?
Husk Distillers is the first Agricole distillery to open in Australia. So, what are the differences between Agricole and Classic Rum? The word Agricole means ‘agricultural’ in French. Agricole Rum differs from rum in that it is distilled directly from pressed cane sugar instead of fermented juice or cane by-products like molasses. This means that Agricole rums can only be made seasonally during the sugar cane harvest.
Only a tiny percentage of rums in the world can be called Agricole. Most come from Martinique, a small French Caribbean island. Typically, pure Agricole rums have no added sugar or flavours. Before maturation Agricoles are mostly fresh, dry, herbal with a crisp finish.
These rums develop a complexity and balance on reaching maturation, Because it is so pure, drinkers can really taste the terroir. In the case of rum Agricoles, this usually means a fresh and vegetal grassy, notes in the flavour profile. In comparison, traditional or classic rums made from molasses and syrupy by-products of refined cane are typically sweet and fruity. Agricole is a versatile spirit and works best in cocktails because of its more complex flavour. But you can sip on a Agricole straight.
Husk Triple Oak Rum
Husk Distillers have released their 2019 Triple Oak Rum which has been in the making for over four years.
Stock is very limited with only one release of Husk Virgin Cane Rum each year from now on. Get in early or you will have to wait until next year.
Spiced Bam Bam Rum
Husk Spiced Bam Bam is infused with traditional botonicals and natives giving it that all natural spice flavour. Native ginger, sun-dried orange and mandarin peel, roasted Australian wattle seed, together with berries, Tahitian vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks are balanced with a sprinkle of local sea salt.
Spiced Bam Bam is best enjoyed on the rocks with a slice of fresh orange. For those who prefer a longer drink, Spiced Bam Bam it delicious with ginger ale, ginger beer, tonic water or in any rum cocktail.
New Product Launch
Husk Distillers produces one of the finest quality small-batch gins in Australia. Sloe & Berry Gin, is a flavoured gin with an Australian bush tucker twist. This small release gin is a welcome addition to the Husk Farm Distillers range.
Made from juniper berry, coriander, angelica, liquorice root and Australian rosella flowers. This Australian made gin is a vibrant red colour, packed with flavour and lower in alcohol. Sloe & Berry Gin is perfect for sipping over ice or mixed with soda or tonic.
Paddock To Bottle
Founder Paul Messenger with the ‘Fat Bastard’ Copper Pot Still
More Great Australia Holiday Ideas
– 5 Day Family Friendly Road Trip from Brisbane to Sydney (Part 1)
– 5 Day Family Friendly Road Trip from Brisbane to Sydney (Part 2)
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.
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