Blackmans Bay Distillery talks expansion plans for their gin and rum empire that promotes Tassie

Fast becoming famous for their gin cut with water from Mount Wellington, the couple behind the ‘100% Tassie made’ drop is branching out into rum, with expansion plans to excite gin lovers across the state.

WHAT could be more Tasmanian than collecting water from the Springs on Mt Wellington?

That is the dedication to producing something truly local and unique that drives Stuart and Danika Bumford’s mantra for producing their award-winning gin.

“We want to create something of our own,” Mr Bumford said.

“Our point of difference is we make our own base spirit/ethanol, which is important as we can truly call it a 100 per cent Tasmanian product.

Danika and Stuart Bumford of Blackmans Bay are the founders of Blackmans Bay Distillery and in only just over a year of existence have already been recognised at Australian Gin Awards. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“And all our products are sourced locally. For example, we get our water from the Springs on Mt Wellington.

“We want to become a staple in the Tasmanian gin market.”

They are well on their way.

In only its first year, Blackmans Bay Distillery has won a silver medal at the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards Master Cask for its smoky gin and a bronze medal at the Australian Gin Awards for its botanical blend.

“We use different botanicals available like cumquat and lavender … and cherries from our trees for the harvest gin – all the key ingredients are local,” Mr Bumford said.

“It makes all the difference.”

The distillery is still a part time gig with rum production planned for the future. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

It’s not just what is in the bottle that helps Blackmans Bay Distillery stand out.

The Bumfords enlisted well-known local artist Mandy Renard to create the striking label for their bottles: Inspirited Desire, “a timeless Colonial Lady with a modern feel”.

“We’ve always loved Mandy’s work, which is a natural fit for what we are trying to create,’’ Mr Bumford said.

Mrs Bumford is a keen bushwalker and the distillery’s social media features the gin bottles in some of the state’s most idyllic natural locations.

Breathtakingly refreshing…. Just like our award winning 🥉Botanical Gin. . . . #tassiegin #tasmaniandistillery...

Posted by Blackmans Bay Distillery on Tuesday, November 16, 2021

“I love to get images of the bottles in nature to promote the beauty of our state and the fact that we cut our gin with mountain water and to highlight we are 100 per cent Tasmanian,’’ she said.

But the distillery is not just producing award-winning gin.

Danika and Stuart Bumford with dogs Coco and Mist. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Blackmans Bay couple have been putting their own special touch to rum that has been double distilled and infused with select botanicals and is resting in barrels to be released in coming years.

To facilitate the move into rum and growing sales of its three varieties of gin, Blackmans Bay Distillery will expand to a new storage warehouse at Cambridge next year, with plans to eventually evolve into a tasting space for special releases and events.