Burdekin Distillery Virgin Cane Spirit (700ml)

Burdekin started in 2020 as a water bottling company located at the foot of Mt Elliot. The region is known as the heart of Australia’s premier sugar cane country, with a much higher brix than others. Now a fully fledged distillery, Burdekin are proving that it's not only the French islands that produce quality cane juice spirits. They avoid trespassing on the “agricole” moniker, but their products are unmistakably inspired by the freshness of Caribbean equivalents. Partnering with local growers, using fresh pressed cane juice as well as molasses, a Frilli hybrid pot/column still enables them to create pot still styles or run a single pass through the pot and column with reflux. All the distillates are finished with mineral water from their own aquifer. The range includes unaged cane spirit, aged cane and molasses rums, and unique limited editions like the "Wild Child", several with striking labels inspired by the region's rich flora and fauna.

This is Burdekin's entry level expression, named 'Virgin Cane Spirit' because there's a two year wood-ageing rule in Australia in order to label it rum. It's double distilled then rested in stainless steel tanks before bottling . The producers describe the profile as botanical with a hint of fresh cut flowers and a dry finish. 40% Alc./Vol. Zero additives.

Other reviews... Burdekin’s flagship unaged cane spirit is not like other rums. Distilled from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses, this bright, grassy spirit has never seen the inside of a barrel, meaning it technically can’t be called 'rum' in Australia (a stupid rule), but this is a style well respected in other parts of the world, and for good reason. On the nose, minerality and fermented tropical fruit dominate with notes of earthy turmeric and oyster shell. While it may be confronting for those unaccustomed to the style, like the first experience of a peated whisky or a funky mezcal, the rewards of acquiring a taste for this rum are manifold. While still a little rough around the edges, there’s complexity for days and, when mixed in a caipirinha or combined with other rums in classic tropical punches, this uniquely engaging rum really shines. 92 points - Fred Siggins, winecompanion.com.au

Best Cane Spirit 2025 Melbourne Royal Spirit Awards
Best in Show (White Rum/Rhum) 2024 TAG Global Spirit Awards
Double-Gold 2023 & 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Double-Gold 2024 TAG Global Spirit Awards
Gold 2024 Royal Queensland Awards