Bundaberg Rum Showcase Top 20

BUNDABERG RUM SHOWCASE

TOP 20 COLLECTABLE AND SIGNIFICANT BOTTLES

Below you will find the “Top 20” bottles as selected by the Bundaberg Rum Showcase team. The Showcase team were asked by Bundaberg Distilling Company to compile a list of the most collectable and significant bottles. This was quite a difficult task given the immense volume of different bottles available. When the list was finalised it was used as a basis for the bottle display which is in the Distillatorium, a mobile showcase of BDC and its heritage.

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1. Royal Liqueur Pistols

The “Holy Grail” for a collector. The Royal Liqueur pistols are one of, if not the, rarest Bundy bottles out there. Currently three versions of this pistol are known to have been used, the green pistol, the amber and blue pistol. These bottles were imported from Italy and bottled by Frangos Liqueurs in Brisbane in approximately the late 1960's/early 1970's. There are only a handful of empty genuine pistols known to still exists. Even rarer are full bottles. These are considered the collectors “holy grail”.

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2. BDC Centenary Decanter

Released to commemorate 100 years of Bundaberg Distilling Company 1888-1988 Centenary Decanter, 750ml, 40%, Vat 100 aged 5 years. Filled by John Cawsey & Co Pty Ltd in Sydney the decanter came in a wooden box with a cardboard liner, bottle tag and is cork stopper, there is a glass stopper as well.

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3. 18 Year Old

In May 2006, Bundaberg Rum proudly released a true Australian classic,

Bundaberg Rum 18 Year Old rum, aged for between 18 – 21 years in fifteen vintage oak barrels exhibited the rich flavours of the most premium Australian rums. A nose of oak, leather and chocolate, with a hint of eucalypt on the back nose, is indicative of its distinct taste and deep complexity.

Only 4,890 bottles of this exclusive rum was made which sold out in about 3 days! Released as 700ml, 37% and gift boxed in a wooden display case with a certificate of authenticity. Each bottle bears a unique number and the signature of Kevin Gott – Master Distiller.

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4. 1985 Vat 100 Black

Released by Dr Lou Muller Head Distiller at BDC on 19th September, 1995 this 40%, 10 year old aged rum from Vat 100 was a limited edition bottled in both 700ml and 1125ml (duty free only). A departure from the standard UP of the time; every bottle carries a unique bottle number on the back label, a cap strip over the lid, and are packed in a distinctive black and straw coloured gift carton.

The success of Bundaberg Black introduced a new tradition to the distillery, with a Bundaberg Black being manufactured every year until 2005 other than 2002.

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5. Bundaberg Pure Gold

To mark the 2000 Sydney Olympics and recognise the achievements of our athletes and their spirit of mateship, Bundaberg Rum released this special edition. Bundaberg Rum Pure Gold, a 40% gold coloured liquid came in a 750ml decanter style bottle with gift box. Bottles were available from duty free only. Launched 28th June, 2000.

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6. Bundaberg Galleon

The 1970’s Bundaberg Galleon Rum, with the distinctive Crystal Cut bottles, were available in an Under Proof and Over Proof version. Earlier examples were in fact released in Fluid ounce measurements of 26 Fluid Ounces, and later released as a 750ml. Sizes available were 50ml, 150ml, and 750ml. At the time, the Bundaberg Royal Liqueur was also released in the Frangos manufactured Crystal Cut bottle. Bottled by A.R.D (Australian Rum Distributors).

7. Millaquin White

Millaquin White, the second try at the lucrative white rum market, it was started to be produced in 1970 and released in 1973. It was available in several sizes including 50ml, 150ml, 375ml, 750ml and 1125ml. The 750ml bottle was most recognised being packed into a black and pink gift carton with a stylized face on it. By 1976 Millaquin White rum was phased out.

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8. 33 OP Red Cap

Affectionately called “Red Cap” this rum originally at 76.1% then changed to 75.9% was the strongest rum produced by Bundaberg Rum, 33OP was discontinued in 1986 as the companies response to legislation around responsible drinking. It was available in 750ml, 2 Litre and 5 Litre.

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9. White Lady

White Lady, 32 under proof. It was bottled in both 8 and 26 fluid ounce bottles by Frangos Liqueurs, Brisbane and also by A.R.D (Australian Rum Distributors) as 750ml. White Lady was classed as white rum and had a pale amber colour. White Lady was Bundaberg Rum without the caramel added. The directors of BDC had the dream that they would capture the cocktail trade in the 1950’s with a white rum product. It wasn’t a successful venture.

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10. Red Spot Rum

Red Spot rum was one of the many names Bundaberg Rum was marketed and sold as by different agents. Agents included Elders, Goldsborough Mort, Burns Philip, Samuel Allen and Walter Reid just to name a few. All rum was sold to agents as over proof and in barrels, these agents did their own bottling, breaking the rum down to their required strength and even adding their own additives from port to assorted herbs.