Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS) has entered a new chapter in the distillery’s 16-year history with the opening of a new world-class production facility and cellar door.
The $3.5m investment by KIS owner Mighty Craft, with a $500,000 grant from the South Australian Tourism Commission $20m Tourism Development Fund, includes the installation of a 1800-litre steam-driven still. That still will see the site producing up to 3000-litres of gin a week. In addition a 4500L whisky still was installed, which will allow 1200-litres of the spirit to be produced each week, making KIS the largest whisky distillery in South Australia.
Mighty Craft Managing Director Mark Haysman said: “With the addition of a range of exciting and immersive tasting experiences and a new Spirits Academy on the island, our vision is to attract additional visitors, be involved in a wider a range of events, create new jobs for locals and increase our capacity for innovation and excellence.
“Thanks to the support of the SA Government, Kangaroo Island Distillery is now poised to become one of Australia’s most iconic experiential distilleries, attracting global attention and visitation, and contributing to the broader economy.”
With its sights firmly set on taking Kangaroo Island Spirits’ uniquely Australian, hand-crafted products to the world, the brand and packaging has also been overhauled giving it a new look and feel.
“With the addition of ‘Est 2006’, a nod to its position as Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery, the bottles’ unique designs highlight the island botanicals that are handpicked by the distilling team and at the forefront of the flavour profile of each spirit,” said Haysman.
The new bottles can be found in leading bottles shops, restaurants, and bars, and via Kangaroo Island Spirits’ website from March 2022.
