THE DISTILLERY DOOR
Our home and Australian Certified Organic Distillery is open to the public every day and is located in the lush Sunshine Coast hinterland rainforest, just a short idyllic walk from Queensland’s iconic and much-loved Big Pineapple. Our distillery has been identified as a 2023 Best of Queensland Experience!
The highest quality ingredients, sustainably sourced and where possible locally sourced, non-automated production methods, enhanced sensory and analytical testing and HACCP accredited quality control ensure our spirits are consistently exceptional and delight every time.
We use sub-tropical rainwater, harvested from the roof above our stills, throughout our Distillery. Our Woombye water is then filtered to ensure our flavours are preserved thus giving our rums a beautiful texture, softness and above all else a perfect balance.
We love producing beautiful rums, passionately support our community and preserving the beautiful environment in which we have the privilege to live and work in.
OUR STILLS
Maria and Sarah, our gleaming 6000 and 2500 litre made pot stills are hand-made in Tasmania from Australian copper ore milled in Germany and have been meticulously designed to create stunning and complex flavour profiles.
It’s both tradition and good luck to name stills in much the same way naming ships started over a thousand years ago, when sailors named vessels after gods, goddesses or saints hoping to bring good fortune to their travels.
Sarah, our 2,500 litre spirit still, is named in homage to the beautiful wife of James Costar who was the licensee of Woombye’s first pub, aptly named Nil Desperandum.
Maria, our imposing and elegant 6,000 litre wash still is a sight to see as you enter our Distillery Door.
Amongst the very largest pot stills on mainland Australia her dimensions and scale are seemingly at odds with the exquisite and delicate nature of the low wines she produces.
A state-of-the-art steam heat exchanger ensures sustainable energy efficient heating of the fermented wash as our vision of distilling rum to equal the world’s best takes shape, with a consequent noise and hum that is hypnotic.
Named in honour of Maria Amour, the mother of James Costar, after many months of shaping and construction our Maria travelled by ship across Bass Strait in December 2019. A fitting link to the pre-eminent mode of transport during Maria Amour’s lifetime.
BEST OF QUEENSLAND EXPERIENCE
Our distillery has been identified as a 2023 Best of Queensland Experience!
The Best of Queensland Experiences Program recognises businesses that deliver exceptional transformational experiences, bring the Queensland story to life and consistently deliver an exceptional customer experience.
EMBARK ON A CAPTIVATING ODYSSEY THROUGH THE QUEENSLAND DISTILLERY TRAIL MAP
Nil Desperandum has proudly joined the prestigious Queensland Distillery Trail, a collaborative venture led by the Queensland Distillers’ Association Inc. and its esteemed members.
Embark on a captivating journey of flavour, craftsmanship, and culture with our trail offering more than just distilleries – it’s an immersive experience into the world of spirits. Join us and 24 other remarkable distilleries on this incredible trail! View the Trail Map »
Sunshine Pantry
From coastline to farmland, the Sunshine Coast’s unique geographic location within a UNESCO Biosphere corridor creates a recipe for success.
Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry stars certified organic farms, bucket list experiences, and local food and drink that’s been inspired by the best that our region has to offer. Read about our feature or watch the video below.
MEET THE MAKERS
Matt Hobson and Michael Conrad co-founded CAVU in 2019 and Nil Desperandum ‘FIRST’ was released on the 22/02/2022 at 2:22pm.
OUR HEAD DISTILLER, ADAM CHAPMAN HAS BEEN PRODUCING AND INSTRUCTING WINE AND SPIRITS EDUCATION FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND IS RECOGNISED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY FOR DISTILLING SUPER PREMIUM SPIRITS THAT DELIGHT CONSUMERS.
Lachlan (Locky) Craven joined our team as a distiller in 2022. Passionate and inspired to push the boundaries of innovation and craftsmanship in the industry, Locky was honoured with the inaugural Independent Stave Company Young Distiller Fellowship in April 2023.