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WILD SPIRITS, CRAFTED WITH AUSSIE HEART.
From farm to glass – discover North Queensland’s award-winning distillery experience.
OUR STORY BEGINS HERE
Welcome to Mt Uncle Distillery, where the ancient volcanic soils of the Atherton Tablelands meet a pretty restless spirit of innovation. We kicked things off back in 2001, but we’re not just distillers, mate. We’re flavour chasers, boundary pushers, and bloody proud custodians of an Aussie craft that’s as wild and adventurous as this stunning patch of North Queensland we call home.
For us, it’s always been bigger than just the booze in the bottle. It’s about bottling the essence of this incredible region – its unique terroir, the vibrant local bounty, that untamed spirit. We’re all about respectfully nodding to time-honoured traditions, then giving them a fresh, Aussie twist to create something truly special. Something you won’t find anywhere else.
THE MAN BEHIND THE MOUNTAIN: MEET MARK.
Mt Uncle Distillery is the brainchild of Mark Watkins, a bloke whose pursuit of exceptional flavour is legendary around here. With a deep connection to North Queensland and a spirit that’s never content with ‘good enough,’ Mark’s the driving force behind our innovative methods and our courage to tread where others don’t.
He’s the one who, let’s just say, went on an *adventurous* trip to Mexico and came back with the first Blue Weber agave seeds to legally (ahem) grace Australian soil. That pioneering, slightly cheeky spirit? That’s pure Mt Uncle. Mark’s vision was to create world-class spirits that capture the unique character of our region, and that’s exactly what keeps us going every single day.
"I didn’t build this to follow rules. I built it to make the spirits I wanted to drink.”
- Mark Watkins, Founder & Head Distiller
THE MT UNCLE WAY: LAND, LEGACY, AND A BIT OF MAD SCIENCE
We reckon the best spirits start with the best ingredients, no shortcuts. That’s why we tap into the pure, natural water sources of Mt Uncle itself and get our hands dirty, harnessing the incredible bounty from our own farm and the lush country right around us. This dirt-under-the-fingernails connection to the land is at the core of everything we pour our heart into.
From the sweet FNQ sugarcane that forms the soul of our rums, to the wildly aromatic native botanicals that give our gins their Aussie signature (we’re talking 13 unique local characters in our Botanic Australis flagship!), and of course, those remarkable Blue Weber agaves we pioneered – it all starts here. Our commitment to quality, flavour, and doing right by the land is rock solid. It’s in every single drop.
And yeah, we love tradition, but we’re not afraid to get a bit experimental in the shed. We’ve borrowed savvy ideas from winemaking for our gins, and we were the first in Australia to go all-in on Blue Weber Agave, even building a traditional volcanic rockpit right here – laced with basalt, mind you – to roast our agave hearts low and slow for an incredible depth of flavour. We call it respecting the roots while reaching for the sky (or maybe the top shelf!).
ADVENTURE IN EVERY BOTTLE
The Mt Uncle journey? It’s been one hell of a ride, fuelled by a deep-seated passion for flavour and a healthy dose of Aussie ingenuity. This adventurous spirit has seen our Botanic Australis Gin find its way into homes across the nation via Dan Murphy’s and our spirits proudly take their spot in duty-free stores at major Aussie airports. We’ve been chuffed to bits to see our dedication recognised with a swag of international awards along the way – a nod that we’re doing something right up here in the tropics!
A FEW BRAGGING RIGHTS
We’re not here to flex — but if we were, we’d start with this: World’s Best Sugarcane Spirit.
Yep, our FNQ Rum Co. Platinum took out the top gong at the 2024 World Rum Awards. We also scored multiple golds, style wins, and top honours for our Iridium and Agave Cask rums — including World’s Best Pot Still Rum and IWSC Gold (98pts) for Iridium X Agave Cask. Not to mention best Navy Strength Gin in Australia for our Botanic Australis Navy.
These aren’t just shiny medals — they’re proof that North Queensland craft spirits can take on the world and win.
But honestly, the real reward? Sharing what we make with fellow adventurers like you — folks who back Aussie-made, appreciate a punchy flavour, and love a good yarn over a top-shelf drink.
MEET THE FAMILY: OUR SIGNATURE SPIRITS
Each bottle from Mt Uncle tells a different story, but they all share our commitment to quality, innovation, and the unique taste of North Queensland.
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YOUR NORTH QUEENSLAND SPIRIT JOURNEY STARTS HERE.
Ready to dive headfirst into the world of Mt Uncle? Our Distillery Door in Walkamin is your gateway to experiencing the passion, the process, and the bloody good spirits we pour our hearts into. Pull up a seat, sample your way through our unique range, soak in the sights and smells of a real working craft distillery, and have a yarn with the team who bring these wild flavours to life.
It’s more than just a tasting; it’s a true taste of North Queensland spirit.
Visit Us:
Mt Uncle Distillery, 1819 Chewko Road, Walkamin QLD 4872
Opening Hours:
Mon - Closed
Tue - Sun 10:00am - 6:00pm