An award-winning, small batch distillery based in Carmel, run by husband-and-wife team Simon and Marie. We produce vodka, gin, liqueur, grappa, whisky and brandy from produce grown in the Perth Hills.
I have a large, spacious shed where all the magic happens. Most people have this idea that making and bottling spirits is noisy work but it’s really not. Depending on the time of year, I might be quietly chopping things, or tending to bubbling things, or out and about helping to harvest things, like local grapes, both for myself and friends.
Our goal is to capture the flavours of the Perth Hills, and I take my inspiration from the wonderful local produce, including grapes grown in local vineyards and botanicals gathered from nearby orchards.
I make a lot of different liqueurs and for these I lean heavily on Italian traditions. For whisky I’m looking to make something I’d enjoy drinking, and I work with local brewers to bring that vision to life.
Distillation is really about time. A distillation run takes between four and twenty hours, depending on what I’m distilling. This gives me time to work on other tasks like bottling or labelling. It also gives me time to research and I’m always looking for ways to improve my processes or recipes, or to find new recipes to try.
I think people like to try spirits and liqueurs that are made locally, and many of them make use of local produce so they’re a real taste of the Perth Hills.
The other bonus is that if you come to find Carmel Distillery at the market, you get to speak to the guy who makes your liquor. I don’t use contract staff to man my stall so you’ll find me there each month, and I encourage you to come over and say hi!
The Kalamunda Artisan Market is a Hills institution. People bring their locally produced products, and customers know that they can find amazing handcrafted goods and speak to the people who actually make them.
Being part of such a fantastic community of creatives and meeting new customers every time! Every market is different but it’s always a great day out!
