It all started 10 years ago when then orchardist Steve Norris was approached to become a partner in producing a range of locally produced fresh fruit, plum and grape Brandies.

The decision proved to bear fruit, and around four years ago the partner Steve had in the business dropped out and the decision was made to go it alone.

From that time the business has grown substantiality and has expanded the range of products they produce to include James Bentley Whisky, Black Widow Bourbon, Red Kelpie Rum, Double Up Vodka, Trafalgar Gin and Chiapas Tequila.

Brewing the spirits is a very involved process, and all of it is done on site. Ingredients are mixed in large 1000 litre containers and left to ferment before going through one of three large cookers (Stills). Products such as the Whisky and Bourbon are then left in other 1000 litre containers to mature before being bottled on-site.

“A lot of people don’t realise the spirits are made right here in Australia, as a lot of the other products out there originate from overseas”, Steve said.

Cracking into the market has not been an easy task and a lot of hard work has gone into promoting and marketing their spirits which is now starting to pay dividends.

The spirits are now stocked all around Australia and sit right beside the big brands of the spirit world.

The company competes directly with the big multinational companies and Aussie Sliva and Spirits is also looking into export opportunities for some of their products. They have been in discussions with a China based company about a possible export deal.

Aussie Silva and Spirits supply the three major liquor suppliers in Australia being the Australian Liquor Marketers, the Independent Liquor Group and the Hotel Liquor Warehouse.

The three suppliers cover every liquor outlet in Australia which allows any retailer in Australia the opportunity to order their products. Locally, their spirits are stocked at Young IGA.

There is a big market for the products in Sydney and Perth and in the last seven months they have sent 50 pallets of spirits to Perth.

“We are just starting to scratch the surface of some of these

markets at the moment, but from the feedback we have been receiving things are looking really positive”, Steve said.