QUEENSLAND RUM DAY
Queensland Rum Day is back on 17th of October 2026, so it’s time to raise a glass to the people and places behind some of the best rum going around.
Queensland has been making the good stuff for generations, and today there are more distillers than ever putting their own stamp on Queensland rum and showing Australia – and the world – just how good it can be.
It’s a day to celebrate Queensland rum, the people who make it and the communities that have helped shape it.
THE RUM CONSORTIUM
For the third year running, The Rum Consortium is back, bringing Bundaberg Rum, Beenleigh, Kalki Moon and Nil Desperandum together, with Mt Uncle Distillery and Burdekin Distillery joining the crew as guest distillers for 2026.
Six Queensland distilleries. Six different rums. All coming together to create one limited-edition blend that none of us could make alone.
And once it’s gone, it’s gone.
The Rum Consortium 2026 bottles will be available online through the participating distillery websites from 10am AEST on Tuesday 13th of October, until allocations sell out.
You can also get your hands on a bottle from selected participating distilleries from 10am on Saturday 17th of October — Queensland Rum Day.
So, if you want one, we wouldn’t muck around.
Six distilleries. One bottle. A whole lot of Queensland.
Cheers to that.
make qld rum day a bundy day
On the 17th of October, we’re celebrating Queensland Rum Day at the Home of Bundy with a proper backyard celebration.
Come spend the day at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and celebrate everything that makes Queensland rum worth raising a glass to — great rum, good food, live music and good company.
Book and attend a tour to score a free Bundy shirt, grab a $5 Bundy Banger, settle in for live music from 11am–3pm, and enjoy plenty more for rum lovers throughout the day.
The Rum Consortium will also be available to purchase from the Distillery from 10am AEST, giving you the chance to get your hands on this limited-edition collaboration while you’re here celebrating Queensland Rum Day with us.
Bring your mates, make a day of it and soak up the atmosphere at the Home of Bundy. Whether you’re a lifelong Bundy fan, a rum lover or just looking for a good excuse for a road trip, Queensland Rum Day is the perfect time to come and visit.
Book your tour now and join us on the 17th of October.
Frequently asked questions
WHAT IS QLD RUM DAY?
Queensland Rum Day is being celebrated on the 17th October 2026
The day has grown in popularity and 2026 will be the fourth time the uniquely Queensland celebration of Queensland’s most loved spirit will take place.
QLD RUM DAY’s vision is to become Australia’s most celebrated spirit day with a mission to highlight and support the richness and diversity of distilleries and rums produced across QLD.
The inaugural QLD RUM DAY was held on 28th October 2023.
WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND THE RUM CONSORTIUM?
When the hard-working makers of Queensland's very best rums got chatting over a rum or two, they asked themselves the obvious question, "Mate, how good would a blend of each of our rums taste?"
A limited-edition blend created in celebration of Queensland Rum Day.
Rum made from sugar cane nourished by Queensland sunshine and rain.
It's the Australian Spirit.
Please raise your glass to Queensland Rum and drink it your favourite way.
We love it over ice topped with ginger beer and freshly cut lime.
WHAT'S NEW IN 2026 FOR QLD RUM DAY?
This year the Founders of The Rum Consortium - Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Kalki Moon, and Nil Desperandum Rum – are joined for the second time by guest distillery Burdekin Rum and for the very first time by guest distillery FNQ Rum Co.
Each of the six distilleries combine to craft a brand new rum in a World first collaboration that aims to delight fans of each of the distilleries and attract new ones.
FNQ Rum Co. is located in Walkamin on the Atherton Tablelands, about 80 kilometres west of Cairns.
WHERE CAN I CELEBRATE QLD RUM DAY?
Lovers of Queensland Rum will be able to share that love with friends and family with Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Burdekin Rum, FNQ Rum Co. Kalki Moon, and Nil Desperandum Rum holding events at their respective distilleries with activations happening at Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Burdekin Rum, FNQ Rum Co. Kalki Moon, and Nil Desperandum Rum.
Queensland producers of rum and Queensland bars, pubs and clubs are all encouraged to get in on the act and raise their glasses to Queensland Rum.
Can you provide more information about the events?
Please get in touch with the Consortium Distilleries directly for more information about what is happening at their distillery for QLD Rum Day.
When will the rum go in sale?
Online sales of the limited-edition The Rum Consortium release for 2026 will commence at 10.00am on Tuesday 13th October from the Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Burdekin Rum, FNQ Rum Co. Kalki Moon, and Nil Desperandum Rum websites until allocations have been sold out.
The 2026 Rum Consortium will also be available for purchase at the Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, FNQ Rum Co. Kalki Moon, and Nil Desperandum Rum distilleries from 10.00am on Saturday 17th October (QLD Rum Day) until allocations have been sold out.
Website orders requiring shipping will not be dispatched until Monday 19th October.
To find out more about the sales process for these bottles, please visit the respective websites of the distilleries involved.
This batch of The Rum Consortium will not be available from other retailers.
WHAT IS THE RRP?
$119.00 is the RRP for a 700ml bottle of The Rum Consortium limited release.
Pricing is unchanged from 2025.
Q. I have seen a bottle shop/ website charging more/ less than $119.00 for a bottle. Why is this?
We can only set a recommended retail price. Retailers are then able to set the price that they would like to sell the product for.
CAN I PURCHASE MORE THAN ONE BOTTLE?
Yes. There is no restriction on the amount of bottles purchased.
ARE THE BOTTLES NUMBERED?
All bottles will be number 1 of 5,280 bottles.
How many bottles have been released?
5,280 700ml bottles of The Rum Consortium release for 2026 have been produced.
The bottle says ‘limited edition’, does this mean it’s only available for a limited time?
Yes. The Rum Consortium release for 2026 will only available for a limited time until sold out.
Are 200ml bottles available for sale?
A small number of 200ml bottles have been made for promotional purposes by Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Burdekin Rum, FNQ Rum Co. Kalki Moon, and Nil Desperandum Rum. However they will not be for sale.
Can you tell me about the rum?
Born from the spirit of collaboration, this small-batch Queensland rum is the coming together of six distilleries united by creativity and craftsmanship. And a love of Queensland Rum.
Using molasses, sugarcane syrup and fresh-pressed sugarcane juice it captures the rich agricultural heritage of the Sunshine State.
Fermented with both wild and cultured yeasts and distilled and matured across Queensland before being artfully and skilfully blended, the result is a truly unique expression: this is a rum of place, diversity, and depth.
Bottled at 40% ABV with no added sugar it is a limited-edition release that speaks to Queensland’s terroir and passion for exceptional rum.
What are the tasting notes?
Appearance: A bright and lustrous medium-to-deep gold with a rich warm amber hue.
Nose: Generous, rounded and immediately inviting. Opening with crème caramel, butterscotch and toffee apple followed by layers of maple syrup and softly caramelised brown sugar developing into roasted figs and dried dates. Cooked banana and ripe tropical fruit emerge with a distinctive note of mango adding freshness and complexity.
Palate: Beautifully round, very soft and seamless across the palate. Crème caramel and butterscotch lead into toffee apple, maple syrup and caramelised sugar flavours. Roasted figs and dates provide richness through the mid-palate, cooked banana and a subtle mango character. Towards the back palate, nostalgic old-school boiled lollies characteristic adds a subtle layer of caramelised sweetness and complexity.
Finish: Exceptionally soft and rounded with a long, composed and lingering mouthfeel.
How old is the rum?
The limited-edition The Rum Consortium release for 2026 is a blend of rums from Beenleigh Rum, Bundaberg Rum, Burdekin Rum, FNQ Rum Co. Kalki Moon, and Nil Desperandum Rum of varying ages between 2 and 12 years.
Who is Chris and Duncan as mentioned on the back of the bottle?
Without Chris and Duncan QLD Rum Day and The Rum Consortium would not be the incredible successes they are.
The cheeky reference on this year’s back label is our way of sharing our gratitude and celebrating Chris’ recent appointment as Managing Director of Maggie Beer Holdings and Duncan’s recent appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Bundaberg Tourism
For 20 years Chris Illman was a key figure in Beenleigh Rum’s Sales, Marketing and Hospitality team and the wider beverages business of Bickford’s Group of Companies.
For 17 years Duncan Littler was at the forefront of promoting Bundaberg Rum, both as a brand and as an iconic tourist destination.
How does rum get its ‘Queensland Rum’ classification?
Since 1906 “Queensland Rum” is defined by Australian law as a spirit of at least 37% ABV obtained by the distillation in Queensland and maturation in Queensland by storage in wood for at least 2 years of a fermented liquor derived from the products of sugar cane, being distillation carried out in such a manner that the spirit possesses the taste, aroma and other characteristics generally attributed to rum. Queensland Rum is most commonly made from molasses but can also be made from sugar cane juice, sugar cane syrup and sugar.
How did the guest Distillers become part of the Rum Consortium?
Burdekin is a great QLD Rum producer and was a Guest Distiller in The Rum Consortium 205 Limited Edition Blend. For this collaboration they have taken their multi-award winning Vintage Cane Spirit and held it in their signature PX casks for another 12 months, to craft a rich and bold cane rum. This adds a heady scent of mixed spice and toffee to the nose of the 2026 Rum Consortium Blend, combined with traditional bright and grassy cane notes. The Burdekin cane rum adds another Queensland layer to an already unique spirit.
FNQ Rum Co. is another great QLD Rum producer. For this collaboration they have taken their multi-award winning Iridium made with North Queensland sugarcane syrup, fermented on site and matured for five years in ex-red wine hogsheads. This adds a heady scent of treacle, warm spice, caramel, and vanilla to the nose of the 2026 Rum Consortium Blend, combined with fresh cane character and a long, rounded finish. The FNQ Rum Co. sugarcane syrup rum adds another Queensland layer to an already unique spirit.
Will there be future releases of The Rum Consortium?
A great question. Please watch this space.
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