Vic Distilled has launched a flagship campaign, Serves of the State, to celebrate Victorian spirits and distilling. Showcasing local producers in some of the state’s most popular bars, the campaign features 15 venues and 45 cocktails over two weeks. It runs until 1 February.
Vic Distilled is the new brand developed by industry body Spirits Victoria Association, created to champion Victorian spirits and distilleries here and overseas, because everyone can “Find Their Spirit” in Victoria.
With 45 of Victoria’s leading distilleries taking the spotlight, drinkers can get a taste of the passion and ingenuity driving its makers.
Spirits Vic Association industry development officer, Seb Costello, said, “From innovative gins and new-world whiskies to local amaros and absinthe, the breadth of Victorian craft is as impressive as the delicious creations they’ll be shaken, stirred and built into.”
Venues are paired with three spirits from three different distilleries and given complete creative freedom to craft a trio of cocktails that hero the Victorian products.
Consumers will be invited to vote for their favourite creation, ultimately revealing Victoria’s 2025 Serve of the State.
Distilling has deep historical roots in Victoria, but Costello said the latest boom is young, with more than half of all distilleries established since 2020, and only a handful operating for more than a decade.
Collectively, these makers contribute $2.98 billion to the Victorian economy, support over 23,000 full-time jobs, welcome 230,000 visitors to distilleries annually, and deliver $41 million in exports to the world.
Visit @vicdistilled or distilled.com.au to see the cocktail creations and which one consumers voted Serve of the State.
Distilleries: Naught, Antagonist Spirits, Swiftcrest Distillery, Anther Geelong Distillery, Backwoods Distilling Co, Marionette, Great Ocean Road Gin, Bakery Hill Distillery, Sundays Distilling, Cedar Fox Distilling Co, Imbue Distillery, Noble Bootleggers Distilling Co, Rocky Jones Distillery, Hunters Rum Distilling, Big Tree Distillery, Nagambie Brewery & Distillery, 36 South, Maidenii, JimmyRum, Chief’s Son Distillery, Bass & Flinders Distillery, Thirsty Group, In Good Spirits Distilling, White Possum, Brogan’s Way Gin, Dutch Rules Distilling Co., Gindu, Darling Distillery, Morris of Rutherglen, Lake Meran Brewery & Distillery, Four Pillars Gin, The Bellarine Distillery, Saint Felix Distillery, Itinerant Spirits, Kinglake Distillery, Molly Rose Brewing, Rothwell Distillery, Schnapps Idea Distillery, Beechworth Bitters Company, Grand Master Distillery, Noodledoof Brewery & Distilling Co., Still Life Spirits, Patient Wolf Distilling Co., Three Chain Road Distillery and Kilderkin Distillery.
Venues: Cumulus Inc., Black Kite Commune, Gemini, Farmer’s Daughters, Gin Palace, Blackbird, Hotel Railway Brunswick, The Lincoln, Tzaki, Bar Ampere, Le Bar Supper Club, and Bar Clara. Regional Victoria is represented with Daisy in Geelong, Renard in Ballarat and Brae in Birregurra.