Bundy and the Barrel
If you're anywhere near Bundaberg, there's one stop that practically demands a visit: the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. Whether you're a diehard fan of the stuff or just curious about what goes into a bottle of Australia's most famous rum, it's a fascinating way to spend a couple of hours.
The distillery tour kicks off with a walk past the molasses store, and let us tell you, the smell is something else. Thick, sweet and almost overwhelming, it clings to the air in a way that’s hard to forget. They store around 10 million litres of molasses here, all sourced from local sugar mills. It’s the foundation of every bottle of Bundy, and seeing it in such massive quantities really drives home just how much of a local operation this is.
From there, the tour takes you behind the scenes of the entire production process, from fermentation to distillation, ageing and bottling. Our guide was full of cheeky humour and fun facts, including the jaw-dropping detail that there's over $400 million worth of liquor sitting on-site at any given time. The ageing barrels are tucked away in massive, temperature-controlled bond stores, quietly turning clear spirit into golden rum over years.
We wrapped things up at the tasting bar, of course. With a couple of complimentary sips in hand (hello, salted caramel rum liqueur), it was the perfect way to finish the visit. Whether you’re team Original, spiced, or one of their newer experimental blends, there’s something for everyone.
Bundaberg Rum has been doing its thing here since 1888, and it shows. It’s not just a distillery, it’s part of the town’s identity…bold, a bit rough around the edges, and unmistakably Aussie. We left with a bottle or two in hand and a newfound respect for the craft behind the bear.
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