Canefire Gazette ISSUE #020 JANUARY 2020 The History of Rum: Part 3 Sly-grog and Rum Rebellions - Distilling in Colonial Australia cowardice for hiding behind his bed. The Rum Rebellion of 1808 remains the only successful armed takeover of government in Australia’s history. Prior to Federation in 1901, much of the distilling in Australia was done in clandestine pubs called sly-grog shops. These “pubs” were often little more than a few tents in a bush clearing, allowing for a hasty getaway from approaching law- enforcement. In Tasmania, which is today known around the world for its whiskeys, distilling was outlawed by its governor John Franklin in 1838. He was convinced to act by his wife Lady Jane Franklin who said “I would prefer barley be fed to pigs than it be used to turn men into swines”. The history of distilling in Australian can be Initially, supply of this liquid currency was This ban was written into national law traced back almost to the Captain Phillip’s controlled by the powerful NSW Corps, when the country was federated and First Fleet in 1788. which earned them the nickname The remained in place for more than 150 years, until Bill Lark was able to get the law Rum Corps. In early colonial New South Wales, overturned. traditional currency was in short supply. So The NSW Corps would eventually Bill was fishing in the Tasmanian highlands being paid in goods rather than coin was overthrow the Government in the Rum in 1991 when he noticed the clear water commonplace. Rebellion, which was more a conflict about conditions for whiskey distilling. Once It wasn’t long before rum (a term often the future direction of the colony and less he was able to get the colonial law used at the time to describe any distilled about rum than the name would suggest. overturned, he established Lark Distillery spirit) became the unofficial currency of the The Governor at the time, William Bligh, in Hobart, paving the way for Australia’s colony. was arrested and accused of booming craft distilling industry. Two Distillers Kimberley Rum Company - Kimberley Rum Companys The Master’s Apprentice A Decade in Reflection Delicious Recipes Every Batman needs a Robin. Coincidently 2010 Boozy Olives Liquid gold. mine is called Rob. I sat down with him to Lovers of gin, This is for you!! discuss the finer points of distilling. The first heritage bottle of Small Batch sold for over $2000 in a private sale. Get marinating for the perfect So what is your background: accompaniment to your festive cheese I was born and raised in the Perth hills by a 2011 boards or a cheeky (or two). hobby botanist. This sparked my interest in Production extraordinaire. Ingredients native and exotic flowers and wood. I hold New techniques and technology increase a few uni degrees and spend my free time production. Attracting a world of new 250g pitted green olives training Capoeira and teaching guitar. customers. 8 cloves of garlic What drew you to distilling?: 2012 250ml Dead Governor’s Gin Passing the torch. The most enticing part of distilling is the 250ml good quality olive oil The Founder retires and hands the company perfect balance between science and art. Lemon rind or zest from one lemon Blending something so rigid and consistent to his 3 sons. The Master Distiller takes the 2 tbsp fresh thyme as chemistry, with something so subjective helm. and ever-changing as taste. It is a thing of 2013 Instructions beauty. Put a cap on it. Simply mix all the ingredients in a large bowl What makes ‘craft’ unique?: Our first signature custom-built glass bottle until well combined. and cap is launched. Our craft encompasses many disciplines For an extra garlic kick, slice the garlic into including brewing, distilling, ageing, botanical 2014 5mm chunks before infusing into the olive oil. infusing, and blending. All of these can Rise of the Baron. Store in an airtight jar and serve at room be done independently, but personally The Bearded Rum Baron joins the crew to temperature. undertaking every aspect of the process help sail the ship. Enjoy! really allows for greater understanding, and cohesion of the final product. 2015 Makes 12 servings. The Dead Governor is elected. What does a typical week of a junior Our first foray into Gin. The Hemingway Special distiller entail?: Known as the Hemingway or the As the junior, it’s my job to shadow the 2016 The Maiden Voyage first sets sail. Papa Doble, this came to life during master. My favourite part is putting spirit into Ernest Hemingway’s stay in Cuba. Our flagship Spiced Rum is launched. barrels, knowing it’ll be years before I see it Becoming fond of the Floridita Daiquiri, he again, if ever. I often leave work excited to 2017 declared “that’s good, but I prefer it without see what the next day will hold, and partially The Cocktail Club. sugar and double rum,” creating a new covered in sugar. The tasting room opens a cocktail shack & cocktail suiting of his name. Any recommendations for people live music stage. Modern modification has added grapefruit interested in our industry?: 2018 juice and has been coined the ‘Hemingway The process of being a rum distiller is A Round of applause. Special’. analogous to the rum itself. It takes years Double Gold Medals and Best in Show in Ingredients of work and maturation before you are both Las Vegas & San Diego. 2 parts Canefire White worthwhile. Be prepared to put in a lot of time before you see the fruits of your labour. 2019 1/2 parts fresh grapefruit juice Home town heroes. If you would like to tour our distillery with Rob 1/4 parts fresh lime juice KRC wins Gold at the National Spirit awards or any of our distillers visit us at in Adelaide; continuing our ever growing 1/3 parts liqueur www.canefire.net/visitors for more details. successes Garnish with a grapefruit twist

Kimberley Rum Company Pty Ltd 496 Great Northern Highway Middle Swan Perth, WA, 6000 Australia www.canefire.net

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