You need written permission from the ATO to provide your products in any container more than 2 litres, unless it is under bond.

The obligation is on you, the producer.

Several members have made enquiries in relation to the supply of spirits in 20 litre containers. Many members are not aware that you need ATO specific written permission to enter spirits or other excisable beverages (OEBs) into the Australian domestic market (that is, leaving your bond) in a container with a capacity of more than 2 litres.

For example, a licensed distiller may want to sell spirit packaged in a 20-litre plastic container directly to pubs and clubs, where it will be used to prepare mixed alcohol beverages (such as cocktails) for consumption on the premises. The distiller cannot sell the spirit to those pubs and clubs without first obtaining written permission from the ATO to enter the spirit packaged in the bulk container into the Australian domestic market.

To apply for permission, submit your request to the ATO in writing and provide:

The ATO cannot give permission to enter spirits or OEBs that are packaged in a container with a capacity of more than 2 litres where they are to be repackaged into any other container for retail sale.

Spirits or OEBs packaged in a container with a capacity of more than two litres can be supplied underbond and repackaging for retail sale may be undertaken at excise licensed premises, prior to the goods being entered into the Australian domestic market.

You can contact the ATO for more information.

Queensland

Members should be aware that the Container Deposit Scheme has been extended to include spirit bottles that are sold in, or to be consumed, in Queensland. This was previously only applied to RTDs. This came into effect 1 November 2023.

If you are a QLD producer, this affects you.

If you sell your product into QLD, this affects you.

Many thanks go to the QDA who has been lobbying the State Government for administrative amendments to this scheme. They have been in constant communication with the Minister’s office, the Office of Circular Economy and COEX as the scheme administrator in Queensland.

Some of the key elements of the scheme are:

More information can be found here.

Victoria

The new container deposit scheme, VicReturn, commenced on 1 November 2023. While “a glass bottle or glass container designed to hold only pure spirituous liquor or wine” has been exempt from the scheme at this point, those selling cans or glass RTDs are still caught by the scheme.

Full details of the scheme, including how to register (which is compulsory if you are supplying eligible containers) is available at https://vicreturn.com.au/first-suppliers/.

Those affected (RTD or bottled cocktails) will need to enter into a Supply Agreement with VicReturn, and you will be invoiced for the costs on a monthly basis. If you are supplying less than 300,000 containers per annum, you can opt into a quarterly invoicing arrangement. These costs vary depending on the type of container, but will add between 11.0 and 11.5 cents per container (plus GST) to your business costs.

Other States

Other states are in various stages of community consultation.

Australian distillers dominated the spirits categories at the 28th Australian Liquor Industry Awards (ALIA) in Sydney.

First held in 1994, the ALIAs is hosted by leading drinks industry publications TheShout, Australian Hotelier, BARS&clubs and National Liquor News.

The expert panel of 50 industry judges voted up Cape Byron Distillery and Four Pillars for major awards that were contested by brewers, winemakers and global spirits brands.

Cape Byron claimed Best New Product for its Cape Byron The Original Australian Single Malt Whisky, while Four Pillars was named Best Liquor Brand.

Archie Rose Distilling Co was runner up for both of these major awards, also claiming the prize for Best Australian Distillery.

Local distillers further claimed four out of a possible seven off-premise awards for spirits, in addition to several other commendations.

Australian Distillers Association CEO Paul McLeay said it was an unprecedented showing for local spirits at the drinks industry’s benchmark awards.

“It was a proud night for our distillers, whose awards stretched across the full gamut of light and dark spirits, liqueurs, RTDs and innovation,” he said.

“This demonstrates the continued market penetration of Australian spirits, which are clearly resonating with trade and consumers alike.

“On behalf of the ADA, I congratulate all the successful distillers.”

Australian spirits honoured at ALIA 2023:

BEST LIGHT SPIRIT

Winner Never Never Triple Juniper Gin

Highly Commended Archie Rose Straight Dry Gin

BEST LUXURY DARK SPIRIT

Winner Archie Rose Single Malt

Highly Commended Lark Classic Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky

BEST LUXURY LIGHT SPIRIT

Winner Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin

Highly Commended Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin, Hickson Road Harbour Strength Gin

BEST LIQUEUR

Winner Aperol

Winner Sheep Dog

Highly Commended Mr Black

BEST DARK RTD/RTS

Winner Starward (New) Old Fashioned

Highly Commended Jack Daniels Double Jack

BEST LIGHT RTD/RTS

Winner -196

Highly Commended Brookvale Union

BEST AUSTRALIAN DISTILLERY

Winner Archie Rose Distilling Co.

Highly Commended Four Pillars

BEST NEW PRODUCT

Winner Cape Byron The Original Australian Single Malt Whisky

Highly Commended Archie Rose Fundamentals

BEST LIQUOR BRAND

Winner Four Pillars

Highly Commended Archie Rose Distilling Co.

BEST ON-PREMISE SPIRIT

Winner 1800 Tequila

Highly Commended Never Never Triple Juniper Gin

Australian spirits producers Four Pillars Gin, Grainshaker Vodka and Curatif Cocktails are celebrating a record-breaking night at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London.

Victoria’s Four Pillars led the honours, winning the International Gin Producer Trophy for a record third time after its back-to-back wins in 2019 and 2020.

Fellow Victorians Grainshaker Vodka – produced by Top Shelf International in Campbellfield – claimed the Vodka Producer Trophy.

And canned cocktails company Curatif picked up the RTD Producer Trophy for a second time, having won the inaugural gong for this category in 2022.

Australian Distillers Association chief executive Paul McLeay said it was another landmark moment for this exciting industry.

“The Producer Trophies are the most prestigious accolades in the IWSC, which is the world's largest and most influential spirits awards with more than 4,000 entries from distilleries across the globe in 2023,” he said.

“Our spirits manufacturers have once again proven that their products can compete with the very best and triumph on the world stage.

“These results further highlight the export potential for Australian spirits, were they not hampered by the world’s third highest spirits tax, which hit an outrageous $100.05 per litre of pure alcohol on 1 August.”

Four Pillars was awarded 10 medals for its gins in the 2023 Awards, including two gold medals with 98 points for Bloody Underhill Vineyard Shiraz Gin and Single Barrel S36 Gin.

“Back in 2013, we set out with the ambition to make world-class gin, so to win this award three times is simply mind-blowing,” said Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cameron McKenzie.

“It’s a massive thrill for our team back at home and for the Australian spirits industry overall, and even sweeter that Four Pillars celebrates ten years of making gin this December,” he said.

Meanwhile, Grainshaker Vodka outperformed more than 200 other vodka brands to win the Vodka Producer Trophy, highlighting the quality of its spirits made from Australian wheat, corn and rye.

The IWSC judges declared Grainshaker a leader in the “grain-to-glass” movement, awarding its Wheat Vodka a gold medal with 98 points.

“This is a massive win not just for Grainshaker but the Australian spirits industry,” said Top Shelf CEO Trent Fraser.

“Vodka is one of the most competitive spirit categories, and we’ve shown we can compete on the international stage with the likes of Russia, Poland, France and the USA when tasted blind by the expert judges at IWSC.”

Australian Distillers Association president Holly Klintworth said she is immensely proud of the industry’s achievements at these prestigious awards.

“There are now more than 600 distilleries spread across Australia and they are producing some of the world’s finest spirits,” she said.

“If Australian drinkers ever needed another reason to drink local, this is it.”

“Victoria has proven once again it is the spirits capital of Australia,” said David Irwin, President of Spirits Victoria Association.

“These awards are yet another example of how Victoria is producing world-beating spirits.”

A big thanks to our guest speakers Gordon Chalmers, Rick Prosser and Sam Slaney, and all members who were able to join the webinar on the day.

The recording of the webinar is now available - use the link below to access.

You can also access Gordon's presentation below with some helpful tips.

View the September PD Webinar

Gordon Chalmer's Presentation

Passcode: V@0B#5b?

A reminder, too, that Australian Distillers has a Safety Toolkit on their website, complied by leading industry experts, Beca. This should be compulsory reading for all members. Log into the Members section on the Australian Distillers website to access this vital safety information.

Additional safety resources exist in the member portal and the Safety & Sustainability group have more events and content planned for the year ahead to help members (of all sized businesses) with safety in their distillery.

The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland is pleased to announce the Royal Queensland Awards' inaugural Distilled Spirits Competition in 2024.

We invite potential judges to express their interest in participating on the 8th and 9th of July 2024. The RNA is looking for judges with official qualifications and/or extensive judging experience at all levels, including Head Judges, Panel Chairs, Judges, and Associate Judges.

The RNA will cover travel, accommodation, and relevant food expenses for the two days of judging at the Brisbane Showgrounds. If you're interested, please click the link below. For any questions, please contact Liam O'Donnell.

JUDGE EOI FORM

Registration for the American Distilling Institute's 2024 International Spirits Competition is open and the American Distilling Institute have provided Australian Distillers members with the following discount code.

When members of the Australian Distillers Association enter their spirits and use the discount code 2024ADA they will save $100/spirit off the non-member rate. And, any spirit entered by February 2, 2024 will automatically save an extra $50/spirit from the early-bird discount.

ADI ISC Benefits include:

In addition, please note that any spirits not yet imported into the US will need to complete a free FDA Prior Notice and a free COLA Waiver application. Lastly, spirits registration closes March 1, 2024.

Members can find all the details about the competition below or can contact Eric Zandona, Competition Director, ADI directly.

COMPETITION DETAILS

You are invited to join the Distillers South Australia annual conference for updates on tourism, sustainability, OH&S and more. This is a must-attend event for all your latest industry updates, networking and to hear from an outstanding line-up of presenters. Program to be released soon.

All Distillers South Australia members receive one complimentary ticket to attend the Conference, however you must register to secure your ticket so get in quick as space is limited. Additional tickets are available for $89 per ticket.

If you are a paid member of Distillers South Australia for FY23/24, please register for Spirit Fest through the link in the invite email or through the Distillers South Australia Members Page

This event is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia.

Affinity Labs are leading a gin benchmark study, assessing chemical and aroma/flavour profile data of the world's leading gins benchmarked against Australian and South Australian gins. If you would like to participate in this exciting study, all that is required is 2 x bottles of your gin. Expressions of interest to participate must be received by 15 September, and distillers must contact Affinity Labs direct to express interest to participate at:

Email: customerservice@affinitylabs.com.au

Tel: 8313 0444

Click on the PDF below to read more about this initiative.

GIN BENCHMARKING STUDY