Baldwin Distilling Company (CLOSED)

Tasmanian whiskies, gins made with native botanicals and spirits aged in wine barrels might be all the rage on the craft spirit market in Australia, but in a quiet, industrial pocket of Canberra, Anthony Baldwin decided to go his own way and make his favourite drink: bourbon. Baldwin Distilling Company was created two and a half years ago when Baldwin left his IT sales job to open his own bourbon distillery in Mitchell. His initial batches of rye, premium and caramel whisky spent two years in new oak barrels made in Tasmania, but he is upping the time to three years for the next release. In addition to his premium bourbon, made with corn, barley and rye, and a rye whisky, he also makes flavoured moonshine (unaged corn spirit) in honey, peach and apple pie editions. The apple pie took out two awards at the recent American Distilling Awards in April. The slightly sweet grain flavour of the spirit mixes with the fresh apple so that the result has both the sweetness of the fruit and the baked flavor of pie crust. Desiring something quick and refreshing for summer? They also make their own cola to add to their RTD whisky and cola cans. It’s only a little operation but you can pop in for a tasting on weekdays from 8.30am until 5pm, or book a tour for six people or more of the distillery, plus product tastings and snacks.