Black Gate Distillery is in Mendooran, a 45-minute drive from Dubbo in Central West NSW. Since 2009, a husband-and-wife team has run this small distillery. The local climate and rural setting help their spirits mature quickly. They are known for their Australian Single Malt Whisky and Dark Rum. They make about 3000 litres of whisky and 1000 litres of rum each year.
The distillery uses direct-fired copper pot stills. These stills, holding 630 litres and 300 litres, help create flavourful spirits. Black Gate focuses on traditional methods, high-quality ingredients, and casks. The distillery welcomes visitors to explore its operations.
Brian and Genise Hollingworth lead Black Gate. Brian, from Broken Hill NSW, chose distilling out of passion. He has a background in mechanics and teaching. Genise, from Walgett NSW, focuses on hard work and quality in distilling.
The products include the BG124 Peated Single Malt Whisky. It matures over four years in an Apera cask and has a strong 57.7% ABV. Another is the BG070, a 6-year-old peated whisky in a tawny cask. It has a balance of port and sweet peat at 46.6% ABV.
Their Dark Rum ages for over three years in a 225-litre Huntington Estate Shiraz cask from Mudgee. It has a 45.6% ABV and is popular with enthusiasts. The BG077 Peated Single Malt Whisky matured from mid-2017 to early 2023 in a tawny cask. It has a 46.2% ABV and is full of flavour.
Black Gate's Bourbon Cask Vatting is a peated whisky distilled in late 2018 and bottled at the end of 2021. It combines three 200L Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels. This created 1302 bottles, each 500ml at 47.8% ABV. This edition is lighter than others. It has a distinct bourbon cask taste, a buttery texture, and a peated essence. It finishes medium to long.