Big River Distilling Compay

What Big River Distilling Compay does

Big River Distilling Co. Pty Ltd is a privately-held, founder-run artisan distillery established in 2017 in Fyshwick, Australian Capital Territory, producing craft gin, vodka, shochu, liqueurs, amaro, and limited-release wine. The production system centres on a 420-litre stainless-steel pot still with a copper botanical basket running a single-shot distillation from a 96%+ ABV neutral grain spirit, cut by nose and rested in tank before bottling; select processes include koji fermentation for shochu, partial fermentation of cool-climate Syrah fruit for Syrah Gin, and French oak barrel resting from Lark Hill Winery for Lanyon Dry Gin. Botanicals and water are regionally sourced — Brindabella mountain water, Wallaroo Wines Shiraz, Tumbarumba Chardonnay, Lanyon Homestead spruce and juniper, and Mandarins co-developed with Sydney's Lotus restaurant group.

The business sells primarily through two channels: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront shipping Australia-wide and a wholesale/retail network anchored by all Dan Murphy's stores in ACT and select NSW locations, plus independent bottleshops (Ainslie Cellars, Blackhearts + Sparrows, The Loose Dozen, Prohibition Liquor, Plonk, Canberra Wine and Spirits). Following the closure of its Fyshwick distillery door in January 2026, all on-premise tasting, pairing, tour, and grazing experiences have been discontinued, with Ginsights author events relocated to Olims Bar & Bistro in Braddon. Pricing is premium per-bottle at $30–$79 AUD across the spirits range and $34–$39 AUD for wines, with six-pack discounting and gift cards from $10.

Operations are lean — the firm lists 1–10 employees with day-to-day execution resting on founder/Chief Beverage Engineer Clyde Morton (post-doc nuclear physics, four science degrees, ten years' winemaking) and his business and life partner Susan. The company is a member of the Australian Distillers Association. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the business carries no institutional investment, parent entity, or known funding rounds.

Name

Big River Distilling Compay

Legal name

Big River Distilling Co. Pty Ltd

Website

https://bigriverdistilling.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Big River Distilling Co. is a privately-held, founder-run craft distillery in Fyshwick, ACT, established in 2017, producing premium gin, shochu, vodka, liqueurs, amaro, and limited wine for Australian consumers via its e-commerce site and wholesale through Dan Murphy's and independent bottleshops.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fyshwick

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-consumer online spirits sales: The company operates an e-commerce storefront at bigriverdistilling.com.au selling spirits, liqueurs, wine, and merchandise directly to consumers across Australia. Products include gins, vodka, shochu, liqueurs, and wines with per-bottle pricing and six-pack options.
2. Bottleshop/wholesale distribution: Products are sold through an extensive network of retail stockists including Dan Murphy's (multiple ACT and NSW locations), independent bottle shops (Ainslie Cellars, Blackhearts + Sparrows, The Loose Dozen, Prohibition Liquor, etc.), and licensed venues.
3. Distillery door experiences (closed January 2026): Prior to January 2026, the distillery door offered tasting paddles ($15 for 3 gins with garnishes and mixers), chocolate and gin pairings ($25 for 4 drinks and matched chocolates), cocktails, and distillery tours (1-hour). Grazing platters ($45) were also available. These on-premise revenue streams ceased with the distillery door closure.
4. Merchandise sales: Branded merchandise including t-shirts ($30), hoodies ($70), caps ($25), tote bags ($15), and gift cards (from $10) are sold through the online store and at the distillery door.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Big River Distilling Co. is an artisan distillery that manufactures and sells craft spirits (six gin varieties, vodka, shochu, liqueurs, and amaro) along with wines and branded merchandise. The company produces its spirits using single-shot distillation in a 420 L stainless-steel pot still with copper botanical basket, and sells them directly to consumers via e-commerce and through retail stockists (Dan Murphy's and independent bottle shops) across the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.

Product overview

Big River Distilling Co. is an artisan distillery established in 2017 near the confluence of the Molonglo River and Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra. The company produces a portfolio of craft spirits including multiple gin varieties (LANYON DRY GIN, SYRAH GIN, DRY GIN, CINN GIN, PINK GIN, MANDARIN GIN), vodka (3 GRAINS VODKA), liqueurs (Fig Gin Liqueur, CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR), amaro (JUNOS - YUZU AMARO), and shochu (Big River Shochu). Additionally, the company produces still wines (2025 Big River Syrah, 2025 Big River Chardonnay) and branded merchandise (t-shirts, tote bags, caps, hoodies, gift cards). The distillery also offers visitor experiences including distillery tours and tasting paddles. Following closure of the distillery door in January 2026, the company operates via online sales and selected bottleshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dry Gin A London Dry style gin with Australian botanical assistance featuring juniper, citrus from coriander, lime, navel oranges, and lemon myrtle, plus hops, cassia, liquorice, angelica root, and mountain pepperleaf. Bottled at 42% ABV in 700ml format.
• Cinn Gin An apple and cinnamon flavoured gin with juniper dialed back. True cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and star anise are each distilled individually and added back at appropriate concentrations. Bottled at 44% ABV in 700ml format.
• Pink Gin A dry gin inspired by the traditional pink gin cocktail, bringing together rhubarb, vanilla and ginger with a juniper-forward profile. Bottled at 40% ABV in 700ml format.
• Syrah Gin A gin featuring cool-climate Syrah fruit from a local vineyard near Hall, ACT. The ripe plum fruit is partially fermented before adding a lemon, spice, and juniper base gin to halt fermentation, leaving natural grape sweetness. Bottled at 38.4% ABV. Gold medal winner at Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show.
• Mandarin Gin A Chinese cuisine inspired gin featuring tangy Australian mandarin peel married with traditional Chinese Five Spice and Szechuan pepper. Crafted in collaboration with Sydney's Lotus group of restaurants. Bottled at 45% ABV in 700ml format.
• Lanyon Dry Gin An alpine-style gin made in collaboration with Lanyon Homestead featuring spruce and fresh juniper, Seville orange peel, cardamom, sweet almond, yarrow, and grains of paradise. Gently rested in well-seasoned French oak from Lark Hill Winery. Bottled at 50% ABV in 700ml format.
• 3 Grains Vodka Ultra-pure neutral spirit re-distilled in the presence of three grains (rye, buckwheat, and barley) sitting in the copper botanical basket, producing grainy, smoky, and nutty flavours with shaved-chocolate character. Bottled at 40% ABV.

Quantifiable outcome

• Gold medal — Syrah Gin at Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Lanyon HomesteadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanyon Dry Gin was created in collaboration with the historic Lanyon Homestead. Fresh juniper and spruce grown in the Lanyon Homestead gardens are used as botanicals. The gin is also rested in French oak barrels sourced from Lark Hill Winery. The partnership evokes the alpine, rural heritage of the Canberra region.
• Jasper + MyrtleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJasper + Myrtle is a local Canberra chocolate maker. Big River collaborated with them to create the Chocolate Liqueur, featuring single-origin cocoa beans sourced from Bougainville. The collaboration extends to on-site experiences where Jasper + Myrtle chocolates are paired with Big River gins at the distillery door.
• Lotus Group of Restaurants (Sydney)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mandarin Gin was crafted in collaboration with Sydney's Lotus group of restaurants. The Chinese cuisine-inspired gin pairs Australian mandarin peel with traditional Chinese Five Spice, reflecting the restaurant group's culinary identity.
• Wallaroo WinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCool-climate Shiraz fruit for the Syrah Gin and 2025 Big River Syrah wine is sourced from Wallaroo Wines, a local vineyard near Hall, ACT. The partnership provides access to high-quality local fruit that underpins the Syrah Gin product line.
• Tumbarumba region vineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCool-climate Chardonnay fruit for the 2025 Big River Chardonnay is sourced from the Tumbarumba region. The wine is barrel fermented and undergoes full malolactic fermentation to evoke a 'butter bomb' style reminiscent of 1990s Chardonnays.
• Canberra Writers FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Ginsights author event series is co-sponsored with Canberra Writers Festival and MARION. Ginsights showcases published authors at Olims Bar & Bistro in Braddon, combining literary programming with Big River spirit cocktails. The co-sponsorship provides brand exposure to the Canberra literary community.
• MARION (arts/organisation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMARION co-sponsors the Ginsights author event series alongside Canberra Writers Festival. Ginsights events are open to all and feature author talks, Q&A sessions, cocktail sales, and book sales via Paperchain bookstore.
• Paperchain BookstoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPaperchain bookstore is the official bookseller partner for Ginsights events. They bring copies of featured authors' books for sale and signing at each Ginsights event held at Olims Bar & Bistro.
• Olims Bar & BistrominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOlims Bar & Bistro in Braddon is the venue partner for Ginsights events from 2026 onwards. The venue hosts events in the Carlton Lounge and sells cocktails of the night featuring Big River spirits, alongside a Big River G&T and their full drinks and dining menu.
• Lark Hill WineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWell-seasoned French oak barrels from Lark Hill Winery are used to rest the Lanyon Dry Gin before bottling, contributing oak character and complexity to the final product.
• Australian Distillers AssociationminorOthersBig River Distilling Co. is a member of the Australian Distillers Association, the industry body representing Australian distillers. Membership is listed in the website footer.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Four Pillars Gin: Australia's most recognised craft gin producer, founded in Healesville, Victoria, in 2013. Closest comparable to Big River in product category (botanical-led craft gin), premium positioning ($70+ bottles), DTC-plus-stockist distribution, distillery-door experience model, and award-driven brand building.
• Archie Rose Distilling Co. Sydney-based craft distillery producing a multi-spirit portfolio (gin, whisky, vodka, rum) and signature native-botanical expressions. Comparable to Big River in product breadth, capital-backed scale, on-premise and retail distribution, and distillery-tour experience channel.
• Manly Spirits Co. Northern Beaches distillery producing marine- and native-botanical-led gins, vodkas, and whiskies with a coastal provenance story. Comparable premium craft positioning, multi-SKU portfolio, DTC and stockist distribution, and similar premium price points in the Australian craft gin category.
• Melbourne Gin Company: Yarra Valley craft distillery focused on terroir-driven gin and small-batch spirits with similar botanical experimentation. Comparable to Big River on craft scale, founder-led operations, Australian retail distribution, and on-premise experience focus.
• Sullivans Cove Whisky: Tasmanian craft distillery renowned for aged single-malt whisky and a focus on limited, premium bottlings. Comparable to Big River in founder-led craft profile, award recognition, premium pricing, small-batch scarcity, and selective Australian retail and DTC distribution.
• Starward Whisky: Melbourne-based whisky and craft spirits producer with a multi-SKU portfolio, red-wine-cask maturation approach, and strong Australian on-premise presence. Comparable on portfolio diversification, capital-backed growth, premium pricing, and stockist-driven distribution.
• Lark Distilling Co. Tasmanian whisky, gin, and liqueur producer with a premium positioning and DTC-plus-stockist model. Comparable in craft multi-spirit portfolio, on-premise experience focus, and premium Australian retail distribution.
• Husk Distillers: Tweed Valley craft distillery focused on Australian single-cask rum and native-botanical spirits. Comparable to Big River on small-batch craft methodology, regional provenance, multi-SKU portfolio including liqueurs, and Australian retail stockist network.
• Kangaroo Island Spirits: Regional South Australian distillery producing native-botanical gins and vodkas tied to a strong provenance story. Comparable on small-batch craft production, locally-grown botanicals, premium pricing, and tourism/experience-driven branding.

Broad incumbents

• Treasury Wine Estates: Australia's largest wine producer with broad portfolio including Penfolds, Wolf Blass, and Lindeman's. Relevant as the dominant Australian incumbent whose production scale and Dan Murphy's relationship set competitive context for Big River's small-batch wine and spirits expansion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bigriverdistillingco
• Instagraminstagram.com/bigriverdistilling
• Xx.com/bigriverdistill

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big River Distilling Compay