For the first time in the Sunshine State’s history, four rum distilleries have put friendly competition aside and united to create a limited-edition drop for Queensland Rum Day.

The unique liquids of Bundaberg Rum, Beenleigh Rum, Nil Desperandum and Kalki Moon have been blended together to create The Rum Consortium for the event, which is being held on 2 November 2024.

Only 1920 bottles of The Rum Consortium’s 2024 Limited Edition Blend have been released. Each of the four participating rum distilleries will be allocated 480 bottles to sell at their distillery doors on Queensland Rum Day. The blend will also be available from each distillery’s online store.

Queensland is now home to more than 30 diverse rum distilleries, ranging from boutique operations to giants such as Beenleigh and Bundaberg. Together, these distilleries produce more than seven million bottles of rum each year.

As rum making grows in Queensland, so too does Queenslanders’ appreciation of the spirit — with rum the fastest-growing alcohol beverage category in the state’s venues over the past 12 months.

Queensland Distillers’ Association president David Ridden said: “Queensland rum, and Queensland spirits more broadly, are rightly taking their place among some of the best spirits manufacturing regions in the world.

“Queensland Rum Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of rum production in this state and to acknowledge the potential of this industry to continue to create manufacturing jobs and export opportunities for Queenslanders.:

Matt Hobson, committee member of the Australian Distillers Association and founder of Nil Desperandum Rum said: “Queenslanders know that the rum born from our rich red soil and our sugarcane is special. We’re really excited to forget for a moment that we are competitors and collaborate on something truly unique and delicious — a Queensland rum created by the oldest rum producers in the state and some of the newest.

“On this Queensland Rum Day we’d encourage you to raise a glass to Queensland’s wonderful rums, to the spirit of mateship and solidarity behind this limited-edition blend, and to the exciting potential of this growing industry,” Hobson said.

Rum producers across the state will stage a series of events on 2 November:

• Beenleigh Artisan Distillery will host a showcase of artisan rums from across the state’s boutique distilleries. The day will feature market stores, live music, food and rum tastings.
• Nil Desperandum will host a ‘Rum Fire’ celebration of Queensland rum at its Distillery door, featuring a sunset bonfire, five guest distilleries showcasing their own artisan rums, music, kids entertainment and food trucks.
• Bundaberg Rum Distillery will provide all adult Distillery Experience Tour guests with a free Bundaberg Alcoholic Ginger Beer shirt to mark the occasion as well as other in-store offers on the day.
• Kalki Moon Distillery will be conducting complimentary distillery tours.

Learn more here.