History Bundaberg Rum

bundaberg rum distillery, burnett river, bundaberg., circa 1931.

bundaberg rum originated because local sugar mills had problem waste molasses after sugar extracted (it heavy, difficult transport , costs of converting stock feed worth effort). sugar men first began think of profits made distilling. vital meeting held @ royal hotel on 1 august 1885, w m c hickson served chairman, , other notables in attendance included big sugar mill owners of time, w g farquhar, f l nott, s mcdougall, t penny, s h bravo , h young, become first directors of company. started capital of ₤5,000.

the bundaberg distilling company began operations in 1888.

bundaberg rum first produced in 1889, production ceased 1907 1914 , 1936 1939 after fires, second of caused rum factory spill nearby burnett river.

h t christsen pty ltd operated own bundaberg rum bottling plant in bourbong street, bundaberg @ rear of large grocery , hardware business in centre of town. spirit sold @ , op strength business. spokesperson original family, mr rod patch, recalls origins of shape of current bundy bottle . originated bushells coffee chicory bottle bundaberg folks sold grandfather @ firm 1 penny bottle, after washed , filled famous spirit. shape remains same capacity has been increased current 700ml. patch s great grandfather, hans truval christsen, danish immigrant copenhagen , son frederick christsen had employment policy of employing staff salvation army faith in rum bottling process less tempted sample spirit. christsen family supported settlement farming families through hard times , these deeds acknowledged naming of christsen park @ bargara beach.

bundaberg rum factory, circa 2014.

in 1961, company introduced polar bear unusual choice of mascot, imply rum ward off coldest chill.

in 2000, bundaberg rum company , distillery sold british company diageo.

in 2014, decision diageo relocate bottling operations of queensland s iconic drink, bundaberg rum , western sydney suburb of huntingwood resulted in local job losses in city bears name. decision drew criticism levels of queensland politics:

premier campbell newman said disappointing move, particularly in region had suffered devastating floods in recent years.
bundaberg mayor mal forman said m saddened announcement, had been assured company had commitment city .
cr forman said understood demand bottled bundaberg rum had declined more people bought pre-mixed cans, trend wanted no part of .

later diageo spokeswoman clarified saying premium products, such master distillers collection, continue bottled in bundaberg. not decision have taken lightly, necessary 1 ensure longer term sustainability of distillery. remain absolutely committed bundaberg , distillery , continue invest , focus on our core business of distilling, maturing , blending great quality rum in bundaberg have done last 125 years.