Master Distiller Cameron Syme moves closer to town

Western Australian Master Distiller Cameron Syme is headed for the Swan Valley in early June with two of his biggest spirit brands moving closer to Perth at the brand new Limeburners & Giniversity in the Valley.

Limeburners Single Malt Whisky, Giniversity Gin, Tiger Snake Whiskey and Dugite Whiskey are the core brands founded by Master Distiller Cameron Syme under the One Family, Three Distilleries brand in 2004.

Mr Syme purchased Carilley Estate on Hyem Road, Herne Hill in late December and is now refurbishing the venue and is excited to share his quality products and award-winning services via a new cellar door, giving the Swan Valley a taste of everything he already offers in the Great Southern and Margaret River regions.

Mr Syme said, “I have wanted to share my products in the city for a while now, but we had to find the right space. Carilley Estate had the perfect location and structure to work with. We now have the most beautiful garden setting and an ideal location within the Valley, allowing us to build a quality destination for people to visit and enjoy our internationally recognised spirits and experiences.”

The venue will champion local products, sourcing as many as possible from Western Australia. In Porongurup he is installing a malt works onsite to process locally grown barley and has planted juniper trees to harvest the berries as the core gin botanical. He also works with First Nations Australians to source and purchase local indigenous botanicals.

The acquisition of Porongurup, about 30 minutes’ drive out of Albany, has enabled a significant increase in production capabilities, with the 30-acre site, and 4,000sqm distillery lifting the number of barrels produced each week from 4 to 20. The Porongurup distillery is the home of Tiger Snake Whiskey, and the latest addition Dugite Whiskey - a blend of single malt and mixed grain whiskies.

“The Swan Valley is a unique food and beverage destination in WA that we’re excited to be adding to. With properties now in the Valley, the Great Southern and Margaret River were using some of the best produce in our state to continue making world class gin and whiskies. We’re excited to collaborate with our neighbours to showcase and enhance the region,” he said.

He is working with wine barrels from local producers such as Kosovich Wines, Talijancich Wines and Olive Farm Wines.

Mr Syme said: “We are looking for barrels which have produced quality wine and what better place to get that than our new neighbours in the Valley. We will use the flavours infused in the barrel, such as a delicious Verdelho, and draw them into the whisky or gin, imparting that unique flavour. Long term, we would like to do seasonal releases in line with winery releases. There are so many exciting times to come.”

The new venue will feature a 200-seat venue, including a restaurant, bar, cellar door and function venue. There will be Giniversity and Limeburners blending experiences and the menu, currently being tried and tested, will exclusively feature gluten free options.

Mr Syme has been a pioneer of a thriving distillery market in Australia, drawing global attention from some of the best judges in the world, winning gold medals at the highest level alongside London and American distillers. He was inducted into both the Australian Whisky Awards and the Australian Distillers Associations’ Halls of Fame in 2022.

He is a founder of the Australian Distillers Association and his Limeburners Heavy Peat (Barrel M221) for example, retailing at $1,200 a bottle, is a winner of American Distilling Institute USA Best International Craft Whisky in the World trophy.