When we first began this new Red Mill project in 2020, there were two things that formed the foundation of our vision. One was to distil a finer style of new-make rum, a style of rum that was all about drinkability and deliciousness, and the second was to compile a series of casks from around ther world that would allow that rum to shine in a new and exciting way. Maybe even create a style of rum that can be unique to Sydney.
Now, four years into our aging program, we can shine a light on some of the unique and special casks in the Red Mill barrel hall.
We call this our Special Casks Release #1 (2025). Each cask was chosen for its character, its history, and the way it tells our story through oak and time. Only a handful of bottles exist from each cask — all 700ml, ~42% ABV.
These are being released in November 2025
“If you’re serious about your rum, this is very special stuff. Great Australian rum with real provenance”. Red Mill Rum Sami Odi Cask, Spirit of the Year 2025, Nick Ryan, The Australian
Fondillòn Cask
Steeped in Spanish tradition, this 1600L cask once held the centuries-old dessert wine from Alicante, and is the rarest cask in our collection. Fondillòn is a red wine made from the Mourvèdre grape that is ripened until late into the growing season, making an unfortified, but intensely rich style of red wine. It is aged and allowed to oxidise, slowly bottled in a solera system.
After 80 years of loyal service in Spain, it was decommissioned and shipped to us here in Sydney, where we rebuilt it and filled it with aged rum in early 2024. The staves are almost two inches thick, completely soaked with the most intense and wonderful flavours. Expect deep raisin and fig sweetness, with hints of tobacco and antique oak, Christmas pudding and balsamic.
Amburana Cask
Amburana is a Brazilian hardwood, often called Brazilian Oak. It is an exotic, fragrant and difficult to master timber, both in the barrel making itself, and getting the exact flavour balance of firm, aromatic spice and the softness of our aged rum.
Rarely found in distilleries here, we imported these casks in 2024 and filled them with aged rum that we had already aged in American white oak for three years. The combination of the refined and elegant rum with the abundant, spicy hardwood is thoroughly intoxicating. Expect nutmeg, lanolin, cinnamon, brioche and allspice.
Sami Odi Cask
A true meeting of worlds. This special cask held the rare and beautiful wines of the cult Barossa Valley winery, Sami Odi. Uninterrupted for almost six years, the sweet and fragrant flavours of old vine Shiraz soaked into the staves. We filled it with aged Red Mill rum in February 2024, before drawing 128 bottles from the cask in October 2025.
A Christmas bakehouse of flavours: nutmeg, brioche, cinnamon, deep, rich, dried red fruits and more.
