Forgotten Spirits: A History of the Distilling Industry in Victoria

Forgotten Spirits is the story of 180 years of distilling in Victoria. Published by Australian Scholarly Publishing, the book takes a fresh look at Australia’s distilling history and uncovers near-lost facts and recollections from Victoria’s whisky, gin, brandy and rum-making past.

From the fiery origins of distilling in early Melbourne, it traces the industry’s emergence following the Victorian gold rush, detailing the challenges faced amid tariffs, world wars, international acquisitions and shifting consumer trends. With meticulous research and a wealth of archival material and imagery, the rise, fall and remarkable revival of Victorian distilling is vividly to life.

For spirits professionals, enthusiasts and anyone interested in Victoria’s cultural and industrial heritage, this book unearths the rich legacy of spirits production that set the stage for the modern industry’s global acclaim. Buy now

St Agnes Distillery: The First 100 Years 1925-2025

Celebrating 100 years of Australia’s oldest family-owned distillery
 
The St Agnes Distillery in Renmark, South Australia, has remained proudly independent for five generations. In 2025, the Angove family commemorates 100 years since the distillery was founded and the first distillation of the iconic St Agnes Brandy. In this book, I delved into the fascinating history of the distillery to reveal new stories about the remarkable people who, despite fires, floods, wars and droughts, crafted Australia’s most-awarded aged spirit. Featuring images from the family archive and tasting notes of the revered St Agnes XO range, discover how the Angove’s pioneered wine and spirit making in the Riverland and created one of the world’s finest brandies. Buy now

The Australian Spirits Guide

From clandestine convict distilleries to the world’s best whisky, The Australian Spirits Guide celebrates the storied past and present of Australia’s spirits industry. With this book, the first to explore the history of Australian spirits, I visited over sixty distilleries to unearth our best whiskies, gins, vodkas, rums, brandies and other local specialities. For each spirit, I detailed the history behind its creation alongside tasting notes and serving suggestions. Also included throughout are cocktail recipes from Australia’s top bartenders, as well as interviews with some of our trailblazing distillers.