Never willing to rest on their laurels, Queensland’s Comiskey Group has followed its big wins at the national awards with a new addition to its prized Eatons Hill Hotel, unveiling Comiskey Distillery.
Located next door to the massive Hotel, the Distillery is an expansion of on-site liquor barn Harry Brown, installed with a 1,000-litre copper still and plans to produce vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and signature spirit ‘Comiskey Whiskey’.
The Comiskey Group was founded by directors Paul Comiskey and sons David and Robert. Beginning in construction, the family Group has become one of Australia’s trailblazing players in hospitality, leading a hands-on approach in building and operating the highly successful Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point hotels, and the adjoining BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort.
In November the Comiskeys were honoured with yet more crowns at the National AHA Awards for Excellence, including the Best Overall Hotel gong going for a second time to Eatons Hill.
Counting business interests in construction, hospitality and child care, the family has furthered its reputation as a ‘jack of all trades’ by venturing into distillation.
The new operation will be under the care of master distiller and highly regarded “flavoursmith” Colleen Walters, who brings a professional career in the fine food and distillery industries spanning more than a decade, earning her over 500 Fine Food and Distilling Awards and role as a judge at the Royal Sydney Fine Food Awards.
“I am excited to be working with the Comiskey Group on their new distillery,” says Walters.
“The team is renowned for quality across all their endeavours, and it is definitely reflected on the products we have created thus far. This level of quality control with a fun and passionate environment to create in, is a winning combination for success!”
The Distillery has now opened its doors to the public, kick-started with the first Gin Workshop, where attendees crafted and took home their own 500mL bottle of gin made from a mini traditional Alembic copper still, having added their choice of more than 100 botanicals on offer.
Rob Comiskey says it’s no accident they have headed to the Distillery from the pub.
“This really is a passion project of ours; something my dad, brother and I have talked about for a long time,” he explains.
“Having owned pubs and bottleshops for many years, 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.”
