Page 50 - Tropic Magazine Issue 36

TROPIC • SPIRITS

Margaritas

all-round

AGAVE SPIRIT
Globally renowned for its
Australian take on rum and gin,
Mt. Uncle Distillery now has a
blue agave spirit among its suite
of award-winning spirits.
Words: Annabel Bowles

There’s nothing that kicks off a
celebration quite like tequila. And while
we can’t technically call it that, Mt. Uncle
Distillery’s latest product is no small Mark told Tropic the plantation is going Notes of biscuit, nutmeg, chocolate and
party starter. ‘gangbusters’ in the Far North, despite raisins also build taste, resulting in an
Released earlier this year, Dirt Road being one of few in the country. aromatic, warm and sweet product.
is distilled by Mark Watkins on his “It’s a very labour-intensive crop to
Walkamin property, just out of Mareeba. grow but the agave is thriving on the
The blue agave spirit, which comes in Tablelands,” he said.
a dark and white style, is the result of “We have 10,000 plants in the ground, It’s good in a dirty
his long-term vision – Mark brought over about 20 acres in different areas.
the Agave tequilana seeds home to his “Most are on our Walkamin property but margarita, whisky sour
Tablelands property from Mexico a some are planted in cooler parts of the style drink, or just bloody
decade ago. It’s the latest addition among region – including a coastal plantation on
his award-winning suite of craft spirits, a cane farm. nice on the rocks
which includes rum, gin, whisky, vodka “We’re still trialling different Mark Watkins,
and liqueurs. environments at the moment, as well as Mt Uncle Distillery
different cultivation methods that don’t
involve running tractors over the crops as Within its first few weeks in the world,
we’re trying to minimise disturbance and Dirt Road ‘Dark’ achieved a big win in the
compaction of the soil. It’s a new industry International Wine & Spirit Competition,
to Australia, so there’s a lot to learn.” scoring 90 out of a possible 100 points.
One thing that does come naturally to The awards also saw a further six gongs
Mark, though, is mastering what’s in the go to Mt Uncle Distillery, with two
bottle. The un-aged Dirt Road ‘White’ presented to FNQ Rum Co. products
carries fresh, herbaceous and spicy notes and four to the distillery’s Botanic
with a strong, refined and peppery finish. Australis gins.
Its counterpart, the Dirt Road ‘Dark’, You can try all the products at Mt Uncle
is aged for two years in lightly charred Distillery, which is open daily from 10am
American Oak red wine barrels and to 4pm. They’re also stocked closer to the
boasts stewed fruit flavours and a coast at the House of Commons bar,
smoky whisper. and Out-Sauce Liquor store.

50 • Tropic • Issue 36