Steampunk sipping ... curious nurses launch own gin and vodka label

Theatre nurses and distillers Megan Coffey and Kate Gibney.

Tucked away in Towen Mountain is a brand new distillery that was dreamed up by two theatre nurses who — drinks in hand — had been pondering the similarities between sterilising and distilling.

Kate Gibney and Megan Coffey have been planning to launch Steampunk Distillery since early 2019 and in July this year, they had their first bottles of gin and vodka ready for the market.

“We are a micro distillery so we currently produce approximately 35 bottles at a time,” said Kate. “The way we distill is time-consuming but we are more interested in quality rather than quantity, using as many local and seasonal ingredients as we can — and we are incredibly fussy about the end product!”

“We really enjoy experimenting with new flavours and we incorporate botanicals from our own property into the spirits as well.”

Kate explained “there continues to be a growing interest in the quality of what we eat and drink and where our food comes from.

“All of our spirits are grape based, with our vodka fermented from grape concentrate,” said Kate. “I call Megan the ‘mad fermenter’ and we distill the vodka three times to produce an incredibly delicious, smooth, clean vodka.”

Steampunk Distillery has seven gins and vodkas at the moment, five of which are staple. The range includes ‘Matron’ (Navy) Gin, Ruby Myrtle Gin, Lemon Eucalypt Gin, Dry Gin and Cinn Gin, Vodka and Kaffir Vodka.

“The Cinn Gin has been released just in time for Christmas,” Kate said. “It is distilled with cinnamon myrtle and infused with cherries and figs, and is absolutely delicious. It’s very festive,” she said.

Kate and Megan are proud members of the ADA and QDA, and after entering two spirits into the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2021, they have been awarded Silver for both their Lemon Eucalypt Gin and Vodka.

Steampunk Distillery Vodkas and Gins are stocked at Cellarbrations in Nambour, and you can also enjoy them at Frankies Woombye, Rick’s Garage in Palmwoods and Moonstruck @ Noosa.

In Brisbane, Steampunk has been picked up by Hillsdon Grocer, Black Sheep bottle shops, Quincy’s Bar and The Grange Community Sports Club.

You can buy Steampunk Distillery products online at www.steampunkdistillery.com.au, or visit the distillery for a tasting, by appointment on steampunkdistillery.au@gmail.com