Leslie Massey
Bundaberg Rum, also known as Bundy, is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, by the Bundaberg Distilling Company. The drink was first produced in 1889 and is currently owned by Diageo, a British company that acquired the Bundaberg Rum company and distillery in 2000. Diageo is Australia's leading premium spirits company, with a portfolio that includes popular Australian brands such as Scotch whisky, vodka, rum, liqueur, tequila, gin, and beer. While Bundaberg Rum is now owned by a foreign entity, its production and strong association with Australia have made it an iconic Australian brand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Diageo |
| Production location | Bundaberg East, Queensland, Australia |
| Company location | Australia |
| Company's commitment | Making a positive impact on Australia |
| Company's focus | Australian business |
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What You'll Learn
Bundaberg Rum is owned by Diageo, a British company
Bundaberg Rum, or "Bundy" as it is colloquially known, is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, by the Bundaberg Distilling Company. It was first produced in 1889, and the company was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2010. Despite its Australian origins, Bundaberg Rum is currently owned by Diageo, a British company. Diageo acquired the Bundaberg Rum company and distillery in 2000.
Diageo is a multinational alcoholic beverage company headquartered in London, England. It is one of the world's largest producers of spirits and beers and has a portfolio of over 200 brands, including several other Australian brands such as Scotch whisky (Johnnie Walker, Talisker), vodka (Smirnoff), and beer (Guinness). Diageo has a significant presence in Australia, where it is the leading premium spirits company. The company is committed to making a positive impact on the country and has signed the Australian Packaging Covenant, a regulatory framework for sustainable packaging.
While Bundaberg Rum is now owned by a British company, it still maintains strong ties to Australia. The rum is produced in Queensland using locally sourced ingredients, including sugar cane grown in the region's rich volcanic soil. Bundaberg Rum is also a major sponsor of Australian sports teams and events, including rugby union and V8 Supercar racing. The company has also been involved in community initiatives such as flood relief efforts in Queensland.
Despite its foreign ownership, Bundaberg Rum remains an iconic Australian brand with a rich history and a strong presence in its home market. The company continues to invest in its Australian operations and promote its products as embodying the "Australian spirit." Bundaberg Rum's unique flavour and character have made it a favourite among Australians and helped it gain recognition on the global stage.
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The Bundaberg Distilling Company began in 1888
The idea for Bundaberg Rum came about in 1885 when local sugar mills were struggling with what to do with the waste molasses after extracting sugar. Molasses was heavy, difficult to transport, and costly to convert into stock feed. The key meeting was held at the Royal Hotel on 1 August 1885, with W.M.C. Hickson serving as chairman and notable sugar mill owners in attendance.
The Bundaberg Distilling Company faced setbacks in its early years, with production ceasing from 1907 to 1914 and again from 1936 to 1939 due to fires. Despite these challenges, the company persevered and introduced its iconic polar bear mascot in 1961. The bear, known as Bundy R. Bear, was designed to soften rum's aggressive image and broaden its appeal beyond traditional older male drinkers.
In 2000, the Bundaberg Rum company and distillery were sold to the British company Diageo, which also owns popular Aussie brands such as Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka. Despite the change in ownership, Bundaberg Rum remains an iconic Australian brand, with its unique flavour and character stemming from its use of locally sourced ingredients, including sugar cane grown in the rich volcanic soil of tropical Queensland.
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The rum is made in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
Bundaberg Rum, also known as Bundy, is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. The rum is made by the Bundaberg Distilling Company, which began operations in 1888, with the first batch of Bundaberg Rum produced in 1889. The company was established by a group of Queensland locals who wanted to find a better use for the excess molasses produced by the local sugar industry. The key meeting that led to the creation of Bundaberg Rum was held at the Royal Hotel on 1 August 1885, with notable sugar mill owners in attendance.
The Bundaberg Rum distillery sources all its ingredients locally, including sugar cane grown in the rich volcanic soil of tropical Queensland. This sugar cane is processed at a nearby sugar mill to produce molasses, which is then fermented and distilled with yeast and water. The rum is matured for a minimum of two years before it is considered ready for consumption.
The Bundaberg Rum distillery offers tours of its facility, allowing visitors to learn about the history and production of the iconic rum. The distillery also features a museum that offers free samples of Bundaberg Rum products and houses the Big Bundy Bottle. In addition, the distillery has a new $8.5 million visitor centre that opened to the public in August 2016.
Bundaberg Rum has become an iconic Australian brand, known for its unique flavour and strong association with Australian culture. The brand has sponsored various Australian sports teams and events, including rugby and V8 Supercar racing. The distinctive polar bear mascot, known as Bundy R. Bear, has further contributed to the brand's popularity and unique Australian identity.
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$5.84
The company sources all ingredients locally
Bundaberg Rum, or "Bundy" as it's affectionately known by Australians, is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, by the Bundaberg Distilling Company. The company was established in 1888 by a group of enterprising locals who recognised the potential in utilising the excess molasses from the region's thriving sugar industry.
The Bundaberg Rum distillery is committed to sourcing all its ingredients locally, a key factor in the distinctive flavour and character of their rum. The process begins with the rich, red volcanic soil of the Bundaberg region, which is renowned for producing some of the finest sugar cane in the world. This sugar cane is then processed at a neighbouring sugar mill, resulting in an impressive annual yield of four Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of molasses!
Yeast and water are added to the molasses to initiate fermentation and distillation, and the distilled liquid is matured for a minimum of two years before it is deemed ready for consumption. This dedication to using local ingredients and adhering to a time-honoured process has resulted in a rum with a unique and beloved flavour that has garnered a dedicated following both within Australia and internationally.
The Bundaberg Distilling Company has faced setbacks over the years, including fires and economic challenges, but it has persevered and continued to thrive. In 2000, the company and distillery were acquired by the British firm Diageo, which also owns several other well-known spirit brands such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys, and Guinness. Despite changes in ownership, Bundaberg Rum remains an iconic Australian brand, deeply rooted in the local community and celebrated for its distinct flavour and Australian spirit.
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The company has won several awards for its rum
Bundaberg Rum, or "Bundy" as it is colloquially known, is a dark rum produced in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, by the Bundaberg Distilling Company. The company has won several awards for its rum, including the World's Best Rum Award at the World Rum Awards in London in 2016. The distillery's prized liquid, the Bundaberg Blenders Edition 2015, was awarded Best Rum and Best Dark Rum in the World in 2016, while Small Batch won World's Best Gold Rum the same year.
Continuing its winning streak, the Master Distillers' Collection Solera picked up a gold medal at the San Francisco Awards in 2017—the world's most prestigious and influential spirits competition. Gold medals are only awarded to products deemed exceptional by a large 43-member judging panel. The Bundaberg Distilling Company was also awarded top honours at the 2017 World Drinks Awards in London and the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
At the London World Drinks Awards ceremony, Bundaberg Rum was awarded Best Dark Rum in the World for the Master Distillers' Collection Solera and Australia's Best Gold Rum for Master Distillers' Collection Small Batch. The company's Master Distillers' Collective rum, launched in 2011, also won awards on the global stage with its first three releases: the 10 Year Old, Port Barrel, and Golden Reserve.
The Bundaberg Rum distillery is open to visitors for tours of the facility, and a new $8.5 million visitor centre opened to the public in August 2016. The distillery was also inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2010 and was named one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland in 2009 for its role as a "location".
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Frequently asked questions
No, Bundaberg Rum is owned by Diageo, a British company. However, it is produced in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, by the Bundaberg Distilling Company.
Diageo acquired Bundaberg Rum in 2000.
Diageo is Australia's leading premium spirits company, with hundreds of years of history. It is a signatory of the Australian Packaging Covenant, which is Australia's national regulatory framework that defines the collective responsibility of governments and businesses in managing the environmental impact of packaging.
