New distillery opening at Eatons Hill

The new Comiskey Distillery will officially open its doors at Eatons Hill Hotel tomorrow with a gin workshop.

Plans are for vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and a signature spirit - Comiskey Whiskey - to be produced from the venue's 1000-litre copper still.

The distillery, which has been 10 years in the making, will be open to the public with spirit and cocktail classes and be a training centre for Comiskey Group staff.

It adds to a growing portfolio of the family-owned business, founded by directors Paul Comiskey and sons David and Robert.

They also have plans for a 150-hectare festival site Coochin Fields and the Aura Hotel on the Sunshine Coast, plus hotel developments at Dakabin and Strathpine.

“This really is a passion project of ours, something my dad, brother and I have talked about for a long time,” Rob Comiskey said. “It feels like a natural progression for us.

“We’ve been actively working on this project for over a year and are very much looking forward to seeing the concept come to life.

“We did a soft launch of our gin workshop across Eatons Hill Hotel’s platforms just over a week ago and saw an unprecedented level of interest. All 2022 classes pretty much sold out.”

Working with the Comiskey Group is master distiller Colleen Walters, who has more than 500 Fine Food and Distilling Awards, including 24 Champion Awards.

“The team is renowned for quality across all their endeavours, and it is definitely reflected on the products we have created thus far,” she said.

“This level of quality control with a fun and passionate environment to create in, is a winning combination for success.”

Those at the first gin workshop take home their own 500mL bottle of gin, made from a mini traditional Alembic copper still, with more than 100 botanicals to choose from.

“I’ve been a whiskey drinker for most of my adult-life and we’ve been talking about producing our own Comiskey Whiskey for well over 10 years,” David Comiskey said.

“Now, we have managed to find the time and space to make this dream a reality.”

Comiskey Distillery spirits will be bottled with a signature label design, making reference to the family’s history in construction, with each bottle signed by Paul Comiskey.

“We we are not only building the distillery ourselves, but have been sourcing locally and globally to ensure only the best products go into our bottles,” Paul said.

By early 2023, the Comiskey Distillery’s range of spirits will be available at the group’s Eatons Hill, Sandstone Point, Samford and Beachmere Hotels as well as bottle shops.

Major renovations are also underway at the Harry Brown bottle shop with 300 wine barrels, antique trucks, exposed brick, copper display stills and more.

Located next door to the new distillery, customers can look through a connecting glass window at the 1000-litre still.

To book a gin workshop in 2023 click here

Products will soon be available online via comiskeydistillery.com.au.