A silver triumph for Bond Store Wallaroo at the 2023 Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards

On Thursday 4 August, Melbourne Royal announced the results for the 2023 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards at an impressive cocktail awards presentation held in the Victoria Pavilion at Melbourne Showgrounds.

The 2023 Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards attracted a record 970 entries from 246 exhibitors across 11 categories. The Awards saw 112 gold, 364 silver, and 318 bronze medals, along with 20 category Trophies presented on the night.

Bond Store Wallaroo was awarded a Silver Medal for their Lime & Pandan gin. Melbourne Royal spoke with Director, Elisa D'Amico on their accomplishment.

Bond Store Wallaroo, a dynamic establishment operating since 2019, is not your ordinary distillery and brewery. Elisa provided insights into their unique journey, saying, "We are a Microbrewery, Distillery, and Restaurant, producing craft gins, liqueurs, and beer, along with the best food of the Copper Coast."

The business, located in the iconic 1865-built Elands Bonded Store, underwent a change in leadership in early 2023. Elisa and Andrea, along with Derek and Nicole, took the reins, steering Bond Store Wallaroo toward new heights of excellence.

What sets Bond Store Wallaroo apart from the competition? Elisa shared, "Our microbrewery/distillery/restaurant is housed in a meticulously renovated 1870 old building. This historic charm creates a unique and inviting ambiance that sets us apart from more modern establishments." The combination of heritage architecture with contemporary elements establishes a memorable atmosphere for guests.

The success of Bond Store Wallaroo rests on several pillars, including culinary excellence, craft beverages, and exceptional customer service. Elisa emphasized their commitment to providing "exceptional full table service" to ensure a positive and memorable customer experience.

Entering the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards was a strategic move for Bond Store Wallaroo. Elisa explained, "We are always willing to get feedback from experts. That way, we can have different opinions and points of view that can then allow us to adjust and tweak our recipes to make our spirits better."

Their winning product, the Lime & Pandan gin, is a testament to their dedication to quality and innovation. Elisa described it as a "refreshing gin, perfect for Asian-inspired cocktails," highlighting its distinctive flavours of kaffir lime, pandan, and coconut. The award-winning gin is available for purchase through their website and in-store.

Winning the award holds significant meaning for Bond Store Wallaroo and its team. As the new owners, Elisa expressed their joy, saying, "Being the new owners of this amazing place, we couldn't be happier to have such recognition." The award is expected to bring increased visibility, with hopes of enticing more visitors to experience the charm of Bond Store Wallaroo and its exceptional products.

Looking to the future, Elisa envisions taking Bond Store Wallaroo to "new heights of excellence," emphasizing their commitment to improving knowledge and experience to create top-quality products.

Follow them on Facebook (@BondStoreWallaroo) and Instagram (@bondstorewallaroo).