36 Short Spirits

What 36 Short Spirits does

36 Short Spirits is an Australian craft distillery operated by Virginia Spirits Pty Ltd, founded in 2014 by brothers Con and Jon Lioulios to honour their late father Pando, who taught them traditional Macedonian distillation. The company operates from a single site in Virginia, South Australia, anchored by a 1200-litre handcrafted copper pot still named 'Pando' and the family farm, which supplies hand-picked blood oranges, lemons, and olives from over 600 olive trees. The product range spans gins (Original, Blood Orange, Hibiscus, Pink Rhubarb, Barrel Aged), liqueurs (Limoncello, Sour Cherry, Coffee Gin), single malt whisky (40% and 45% ABV expressions plus the Alastair Clarkson-collaboration 'The Radlith'), Rakia (Gold, White, No Anise), Blood Orange Vodka, single-origin extra virgin olive oil, miniature 50ml samplers, and curated bundle/Spritz packs.

The business sells primarily direct-to-consumer through a Shopify storefront shipping Australia-wide (free delivery over A$130, SA Direct Sales Licence No. 51406843) and secondarily through a B2B2C stockist network of Australian bars, restaurants, and bottle shops discoverable via an integrated store locator. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from A$10–A$15 miniatures to A$130 single malt bottles and A$500–A$600 made-to-order 1.5L American Oak barrel kits; digital gift cards (A$25–A$200) and bundle SKUs (e.g., Rakia Trio, Gin Trio, Limoncello Spritz) drive average order value. Revenue mix is one-time consumer purchase, with no subscription product beyond gift card mechanics. Customer segments are individual craft spirits enthusiasts and hospitality/liquor retail stockists; the company is family-owned with no disclosed institutional funding, no subsidiaries, and no international shipping.

Name

36 Short Spirits

Legal name

Virginia Spirits Pty Ltd

Website

https://36short.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

36 Short Spirits is a family-owned Australian craft distillery (Virginia, SA) producing premium gins, whisky, rakia, vodka, liqueurs, and olive oil on a single 1200L copper pot still, selling direct-to-consumer via Shopify and through Australian bar and bottle shop stockists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD)

Keywords

• Craft spirits distillery
• Artisanal gin whisky
• Rakia liqueurs
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Direct to consumer spirits

Headquarters

HQ city

Virginia

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Spirit Sales: The primary revenue stream is direct-to-consumer online sales of bottled spirits (gins, liqueurs, whisky, rakia, vodka) and olive oil through their Shopify e-commerce storefront. Orders are shipped across Australia with free standard delivery over $130 AUD.
2. Bundles and Gift Packs: Pre-curated bundle deals (e.g., Limoncello Bundle 2x500ml for $90, Rakia Trio Bundle for $150, Gin Trio Pack for $80) drive higher average order value through multi-unit packaging.
3. Barrel-Aged Whisky Program: Sale of 1.5L American Oak barrels pre-conditioned for 3 months and filled with 1.25L of award-winning single malt whisky (40% or 45% ABV), sold at $500-$600 as a make-to-order premium product for home barrel aging.
4. Digital Gift Cards: Digital gift cards in denominations of A$25, A$50, A$100, A$150, A$200 delivered instantly via email. Redeemable on the online store only.
5. Wholesale / Stockist Supply: Supply of spirits to bars, restaurants, bottle shops and other liquor retailers (stockists) across Australia, contacted via [email protected]. Part of B2B2C distribution model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

36 Short Spirits is an Australian craft distillery that handcrafts premium gins, single malt whiskies, Rakia, liqueurs, vodka, and single-origin extra virgin olive oil using a 1200L copper pot still named 'Pando' on the family farm in Virginia, South Australia. The company sells primarily direct-to-consumer via its Shopify online storefront and through wholesale stockists across Australia, with ingredients sourced from its own farm (over 600 olive trees, blood oranges, lemons) and free shipping offered on orders over A$130.

Product overview

36 Short Spirits is an Australian craft spirits distillery operated by Virginia Spirits Pty Ltd, founded by two brothers to honour their late father Pando's legacy. The company offers a diversified portfolio of spirits and food products including: gins (Original Gin, Blood Orange Gin, Hibiscus Gin, Pink Rhubarb Gin, Barrel Aged Gin, and a Gin Trio Pack); liqueurs (Limoncello, Sour Cherry Liqueur, Coffee Gin Liqueur); whisky (two expressions of Australian Single Malt Whisky at 40% and 45% ABV, The Radlith collaboration, and a 1.5L home-aging barrel kit); rakia (Gold Rakia, White Rakia, Rakia No Anise, available as single bottles, twin packs, or trio bundles); Blood Orange Vodka; a Limoncello Spritz Pack and Jaffa Espresso Martini Bundle; Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the family's farm; miniature 50ml bottles for sampling; and digital gift cards. All products are crafted in-house at the Virginia, South Australia distillery using a 1200-litre copper pot still named 'Pando', with ingredients sourced from the family farm or locally. The company pioneered Australia's first blood orange gin and was the first to license and sell Rakia in Australia (2014).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clarko's Cluster: A collection of unique beverages created in collaboration with Alastair Clarkson, featuring The Radlith single malt whisky honoring both Clarkson's father Tom and the founders' father Pando

Products and services

• Original Gin Award-winning London-style dry gin tailored with a balanced range of botanicals and hand-picked lemons from the family farm, featuring lifted floral notes transitioning into a full-flavoured back palate. Sold to craft spirits enthusiasts for use in cocktails or sipped neat.
• Blood Orange Gin Australia's first blood orange gin, crafted from blood oranges hand-picked from the family farm, featuring subtle sweet herbaceous notes, a spicy citrus lift, and a hint of fresh pine. Earned Double Gold at the World Spirits Competition. Available in 200ml and 500ml formats.
• Hibiscus Gin Spirits crafted using Australian-grown hibiscus flowers, giving a beautiful pink hue with vibrant floral notes and a light citrus lift with hints of sweet berry.
• Pink Rhubarb Gin Gin made with South Australian rhubarb grown exclusively for the company, with a distinctive floral and rhubarb bouquet, crisp and refreshing finish. Available in 200ml and 500ml formats.
• Barrel Aged Gin Gin aged in charred American oak barrels, featuring a golden colour with distinctive vanilla and spice taste. Designed for smooth, savoured sipping over ice or with ginger ale/tonic.
• 36 Short Australian Single Malt Whisky 40% ABV - 500mL Single malt whisky aged in shaved and toasted American oak barrels then further rested in bourbon barrels, delivering unrivalled complexity with smooth fruity notes, hints of pecan nut and vanilla, and a well-rounded palate.
• 36 Short Australian Single Malt Whisky 45% ABV - 500mL Hand crafted, barrel-aged single malt whisky made with the finest Australian malted barley and water sourced from the distillery's aquifer. Distilled in the 1200L copper pot still 'Pando', aged in shaven and charred American oak barrels followed by Kentucky bourbon barrels.
• The Radlith Single Malt Whisky (Clarko's Cluster Release One) Single malt whisky created in collaboration with Alastair Clarkson (Clarko's Cluster collection), inspired by Tom Clarkson's boyhood farm near the Welsh border. Aged 5 years in American Oak with aromas of barley, spiced oak and heather honey and notes of dark chocolate and vanilla. 700ml, 40% ABV.
• 1.5L American Oak Barrel with Award-Winning Australian Whisky (Make-to-Order) Handcrafted 1.5L American Oak barrel pre-conditioned for 3 months, shipped with three bottles of the customer's chosen 36 Short single malt whisky (40% or 45% ABV) to fill and age at home. Priced A$500 (40% ABV) or A$600 (45% ABV); 2-month wait before shipment; not eligible for discount codes.
• Blood Orange Vodka Crafted using blood oranges picked straight from the family farm, distilled five times for a clean, crisp finish with a burst of citrus flavour. Available in 200ml and 500ml formats.
• Limoncello Award-winning limoncello crafted from homegrown lemons, hand-peeled with no preservatives, artificial colours or flavours. Awarded 'Most Popular' Limoncello in Australia at the Australian Drinks Award 2024. 500ml, 25% ABV.
• Sour Cherry Liqueur Liqueur crafted from ripe, juicy sour cherries with a perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of bitterness, delivering a smooth, bold and velvety finish. 500ml, 25% ABV.
• Coffee Gin Liqueur Liqueur crafted in collaboration with Willow Bend Coffee Roasters, featuring bold flavours of chocolate, hazelnut and caramel. Enjoyed neat, in an Espresso Martini, with milk for a boozy iced coffee, or drizzled over ice cream. 500ml, 22.5% ABV.
• Gold Rakia (Pando's Recipe) Australia's first licensed Rakia, distilled from premium Shiraz grapes and delicately infused with star anise, then aged in American Oak. Made in honour of founder Pando's recipe. Rich aroma with a smooth full-bodied character.
• White Rakia Smooth and delicate Rakia with subtle fruit undertones and a hint of star anise, best served neat alongside an antipasto plate or mixed in cocktails like a Negroni.
• Rakia (No Anise) Rakia distilled five times from 3-year-old Shiraz wine, aged in Cognac barrels with vanilla and caramel from French oak, no anise. Available in 500ml and 700ml formats.
• 2025 Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil Single-origin cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil crafted from a blend of Koroneiki and Mediterranean olives from the family farm's 600+ olive trees (planted over 52 years ago). Pressed the same day of harvest and kept unfiltered to retain nutrients, antioxidants, and fresh flavour.
• Limoncello Spritz Pack Curated bundle for crafting a Limoncello spritz, including 500ml 36 Short Limoncello, Signature Wines Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir, and 2 x 250ml CAPI Lemon Soda. Excluded from discount codes.
• 36 Short Limoncello X CAPI Lemon Soda Bundle pairing award-winning 36 Short Limoncello with CAPI's all-natural lemon soda, an Australian-made, family-owned brand committed to quality.
• Jaffa Espresso Martini Bundle Bundle featuring 36 Short Blood Orange Vodka (500ml) and 36 Short Coffee Gin Liqueur (500ml), designed for crafting a Jaffa Espresso Martini combining blood orange, coffee and chocolate notes. Excluded from discount codes.
• Cocktail & Spirit Bundles (Limoncello, Rakia Twin/Trio, Coffee Gin, Ultimate Liqueur) Curated multi-bottle bundles including the Limoncello Bundle (2x500ml for A$90), Rakia Twin Pack (2x500ml for A$110), Rakia Trio Bundle (3x500ml for A$150), Coffee Gin Bundle (2x500ml for A$100), The Ultimate Liqueur Bundle (3x500ml for A$150), and Sour Cherry Bundle (2x500ml for A$100). Excluded from most discount codes.
• Gin Trio Pack (3 x 200ml) Gift pack containing three 200ml award-winning gins: Blood Orange Gin, Pink Rhubarb Gin, and Barrel Aged Gin, at 45% ABV with 7 standard drinks per bottle. Priced A$80; excluded from discount codes.
• 36 Short Digital Gift Card Digital gift cards delivered instantly via email in denominations of A$25, A$50, A$100, A$150, and A$200, redeemable on the online store only.
• Miniature Spirits - 50ml Bottles 50ml sample bottles across the full range including liqueurs (Limoncello, Sour Cherry, Coffee Gin), gins, vodka, rakia variants, and single malt whisky. Reusable bottles. Priced A$10 for liqueurs, A$12 for gins/vodka/rakia, A$15 for single malt whisky. Ideal for tasting sets, gifts, and wedding favours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Blood Orange Gin — the only blood orange gin in the world to achieve double gold at the World Spirits Competition
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Willow Bend Coffee RoasterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Willow Bend Coffee Roasters, a local South Australian favourite, to craft the Coffee Gin Liqueur. The partnership combines 36 Short's craft distilling expertise with Willow Bend's specialty coffee knowledge to create a distinctive liqueur featuring notes of chocolate, hazelnut and caramel. Described as 'simply the most delicious gin liqueur on the planet' by 36 Short.
• CAPI (Australian-Made Lemon Soda)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-branded Limoncello X CAPI Lemon Soda pack (A$53) featuring award-winning Limoncello paired with CAPI's all-natural lemon soda. Both brands are Australian-made, family-owned and committed to quality. CAPI is described as echoing 36 Short's values and sharing their passion for authentic, quality products.
• Signature WinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Signature Wines (Australian-made, family-owned) included in the Limoncello Spritz Pack. Signature Wines provides the Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir component of the curated spritz pack, complementing 36 Short's Limoncello and CAPI's lemon soda.
• Alastair Clarkson (Clarko's Cluster)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship collaboration with former AFL premiership coach Alastair Clarkson (Clarko) to create 'The Radlith' Single Malt Whisky — the first release in the 'Clarko's Cluster' collection. Both families have been close friends for over 25 years. The whisky honours both fathers — Pando (Lioulios family) and Tom Clarkson — and draws inspiration from Clarkson's boyhood farm near the UK/Welsh border. Clarko's Cluster is planned as a four-release collection symbolising four AFL premierships (2008, 2013, 2014, 2015).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sullivan's Cove: Award-winning Tasmanian single malt distillery with global awards pedigree. Comparable craft single malt positioning, premium A$100+/bottle pricing, and limited-release collector dynamics similar to the Clarko's Cluster thesis.
• Never Never Distilling Co. Adelaide Hills craft distillery producing gin, whisky, and rum. Geographic and scale peer within the South Australian craft ecosystem, with a similar multi-category portfolio and DTC-led growth playbook.
• Husk Distillers: Tumbulgum, NSW craft distillery producing rum and gin from farm-sourced cane and botanicals. Directly comparable farm-to-bottle vertical integration model and DTC + cellar door distribution.
• Four Pillars Gin: Australia's flagship craft gin distillery based in the Yarra Valley, operating a DTC + on-premise + global export model. Highly comparable: similar craft spirits positioning, multi-SKU gin portfolio, and a comparable premium price-to-margin profile.
• Willie Smith's Distillery: Tasmanian craft cidery and distillery producing apple-based spirits. Comparable small-batch, provenance-led positioning and Australian DTC distribution.
• Starward Whisky: Melbourne craft whisky producer known for Australian red wine barrel maturation — directly analogous to 36 Short's climate-driven maturation thesis. Comparable single malt focus, premium pricing, and DTC + on-premise distribution.
• Manly Spirits Co. Sydney coastal craft distillery producing gin, vodka, and whisky with botanically driven innovation. Comparable DTC + stockist model and similar premium craft positioning targeting the Australian enthusiast consumer.
• Archie Rose Distilling Co. Sydney-based craft distillery producing gin, whisky, vodka, and rum with a strong DTC and hospitality channel mix. Comparable multi-category spirits portfolio, Australian provenance narrative, and emphasis on in-house innovation.

Broad incumbents

• William Grant & Sons: Family-owned global spirits group behind Hendrick's, Monkey Shoulder, and Glenfiddich. Broad incumbent in craft-adjacent gin and premium single malt categories that compete for the same Australian on-premise and gifting occasions.
• Diageo Australia: Global spirits major owning Bundaberg and distributing Johnnie Walker across Australia. Broad incumbent overlapping on Australian spirit distribution, on-premise listings, and shelf competition that 36 Short faces in stockists.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/36-short-spirits

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 36 Short Spirits