2016 has been an amazing year for Nip of Courage and all of the amazing distillers that we represent. Below are some of the highlights that we celebrated throughout this amazing year.
1. NOMA
Voted World's best, Copenhagen based restaurant, NOMA, set up it's pop-up restaurant in Sydney, Australia this year. Nip of Courage had the privilege of providing NOMA exclusively with 22 Australian Craft Spirits from our portfolio, accompanied by two other Australian Distilleries; Overeem Distillery and Young Henry's.
The selection of our portfolio chosen included a series of spirits made exclusively for NOMA including McHenry Sloe Berry Eau De Vie and Black Gate Quandong Eau de Vie.
Distilleries represented in NOMA Australia:
· Belgrove Distillery
· McHenry Distillery
· Loch Brewery & Distillery
· Castagna Vineyard
· Black Gate Distillery
· Stone Pine Distillery
· Hoochery Distillery
· Overeem Distillery
· Young Henrys Brewery & Distillery
Pictured Left: Brian and Genise Hollingworth from Black Gate Distillery pictured with NOMA head chef, Rene Redzepi.
Pictured Above: NOMA Sommelier team sampling The Hoochery Rum Range
A special thank you to Writer Mike Bennie who is a true ambassador for Australian artisan spirits.
2. McHenry Distillery launches their first Whisky
Located in Port Arthur, Tasmania, McHenry distillery is the southern most distillery in the world. This year, McHenry Distillery launched their very first Whisky - McHenry Single Malt Whisky.
The official launch took place in Hobart Tasmania with media, fellow Tasmanian Distillers, friends and family. We were honoured to be part of such a beautiful evening and important milestone for McHenry Distillery.
3. Tales of the Cocktail - New Orleans USA
Tales of the cocktail, hosted in New Orleans, USA, is the world's premier cocktail festival. This year, Tales of the Cocktail presented Nip of Courage with the opportunity to showcase 20 Australian Craft Spirits in a presentation called 'Uniquely Australian'. Tales of the Cocktail presented the perfect opportunity to present Australian Craft Spirits in the international arena and raise both consumer and industry awareness on what Australian Craft Spirits have to offer.
4. Belgrove Distillery wins Delicious Magazine Award; 'In the Bottle'
Every year, Delicious magazine hosts prestigious 'Delicious Produce Awards'. In partnership with Miele, the awards were presented in an exclusive event at Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel. This year saw the introduction of a new award, 'In the Bottle', which has the objective of celebrating Australian artisan drink makers and this year, the award was taken out by Peter Bignell from Belgrove Distillery. Belgrove distillery also happens to be the world's greenest distillery as well as Australia's first Rye Distillery.
"This award celebrates wonderfully drinkable, premium products that are hand-crafted, and made with diligence and care. Distiller Peter Bignell of Belgrove Distillery is one of the world’s few paddock-to-bottle distillers, but that’s only part of his remarkable story,” says Mike Bennie, delicious. magazine contributor.
Pictured: Peter Bignell at the Delicious Magazine Produce Awards 2016.
5. Stone Pine Distillery launched Australia's first Truffle Gin
Earlier this year, Stone Pine Distillery, located in Bathurst, NSW, launched Australia's first truffle Gin. Utilising locally sourced truffles, alongside botanicals such as black pepper, juniper berries, flaked salt, coriander seed and orris root, this one of a kind gin sold out in only two weeks! This seasonal release followed Orange Blossom which was selected by NOMA during their Sydney pop-up.
Pictured: Stone Pine Black Truffle Gin
6. Black Gate Distillery smashes whisky sales
Black Gate Distillery located in Mendooran, rural NSW, is home to husband and wife team Brian & Genise Hollingworth. 2016 has seen Black Gate Distillery dominate small batch premium Australian Whisky sales with four releases which sold out in a record period. Due to their growing popularity, Black Gate have now introduced distilling courses and weekend experiences at the distillery while they wait for future releases to mature.
The 5.20's
Cask #007
Cask #008
Cask #011
7. Hoochery wins gold in San Francisco
Located in Kununurra, rural Western Australia, is Hoochery Distillery. This year, Hoochery Distillery won double gold in the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their 10 Year Old Ord River Rum Spike's Reserve.
Pictured: Spike from Hoochery Distillery
8. Nip of Courage launches successful crowd funding campaign 'The Aussie Tipple Company'
We are pleased to announce the successful launch of our crowd funding campaign 'The Aussie Tipple Company'. The Aussie Tipple Company brings consumers convenience through a range of high quality pre-batched cocktails.
The Aussie Tipple Company came to fruition after seeing international growth trends in both the pre-batched category as well as the craft spirits category. The Aussie Tipple Company aims to forge together Australia's finest distiller's and see the emergence of this trend in Australia through supporting Australian Craft Distiller's. The first round of cocktails will be launched in January 2017.
9. New Distillery joins Nip of Courage
Nip of Courage is pleased to announce the addition of another distillery to our portfolio. Corowa Distillery, located in Corowa NSW, produces both Australian Whisky and Chocolate on-site making a unique addition to our portfolio.
We're excited to have them on board!
Pictured: Distiller Beau Schilg
10. Jim Murray awards Belgrove Rye Rye Whisky Liquid Gold 94
Jim Murray Whisky Bible is a leading international whisky guide consisting of over 4,600 easy to understand tasting notes on both leading and lesser known whiskies. Within the Whisky Bible, Jim Murray awards Belgrove Rye Whisky Cask Strength Pinot Cask Liquid Gold 94.
Pictured: The Whisky Bible 2016
11. Luke McCarthy launches his book 'The Australian Spirits Guide'
The Australian Spirits Guide Launched this year. This guide features 51 Australian distilleries including Loch Distillery and Belgrove Distillery, Stone Pine Distillery, The Hoochery, Black Gate Distillery, McHenry Distillery from the Nip of Courage portfolio. There was even a mention about Nip of Courage! The book is great for raising awareness of Australian craft distilleries. Well done Luke McCarthy and thank you for your support!
Pictured: The Australian Spirits Guide
12. First ever 'Distiller's Dinner' hosted in Sydney at Grain Bar
This year saw the first ever Nip of Courage Australian Distiller's Dinner hosted by Grain Bar. The night allowed our distiller's to showcase their products while allowing consumers to interact with our distiller's in a relaxed and casual environment.
Pictured: Nip of Courage Distillers L to R -
William McHenry, Peter Bignell, Beau Schilg, Spike, Genise Hollingworth, Brian Hollingworth, Mel Davies, Neil Druce.
13. Australian Spirits Masterclass
Nip of Courage launched a series of educational Masterclass' in collaboration with Mosman Community College. The series included;
- Australian Gin Masterclass
- Australian Rum Masterclass
- Australian Whisky Masterclass
The Masterclass' allowed Nip of Courage to raise awareness on what Australian Distiller's around the country have to offer.
14. Nip of Courage expanded it's team
2016 saw the expansion of the Nip of Courage team. We added three new team members this year including; NSW Business Development Manager Will Eastley, QLD Business Development Manager Jeremy Whish and Marketing Assistant Shantel Moller.
A huge congratulations to our team member, Lauren Eiritz and her family with the birth of baby number 2, Theo.
Lastly, a huge congratulations to the backbone of our team Roz Cooke who become Mrs. Roz Duarte.
So long 2016...
There are now over 90 registered craft distilleries across Australia. Approximately 90% of these craft distilleries are based in rural areas where the economies are fragile and the job opportunities are limited. Australian's sadly drink 'less' than 1% of Australian made and owned spirits. We hope to help raise more awareness in 2017 and you can too by choosing or asking for Australian made and owned craft spirits when you buy from bottle shops or when you enjoy a drink at your local.
From all of the Nip of Courage team we wish everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Stay safe over the holiday season and drink in moderation by drinking less but drinking better. Thank you for supporting our business and the distillers that we represent - you all rock x
Keep on supporting Australian Craft Distillers #SupportAustralianCraftDistillers
-Kathleen Davies