Australian agave spirits brand Beudi launches

A new Australian agave spirits brand has debuted under the name Beudi with four expressions and a mission to champion native ingredients.

The venture comes from four founders: Jack Connor, Pat Coulson, Dane Pitman and Tom Ruhl. The group has over 50 years of combined experience in Australia’s spirits trade with Connor the owner of Queensland based cocktail bars Rosellas Bar, Burleigh Heads. The name Beudi, pronounced ‘beauty’ with an Australian twang, stems from the common Australian expression for showing appreciation. The brand will open with four expressions, two core agave spirits and two ready-to-drink (RTD) products. Beudi Blanco is distilled from 100% Blue weber agave and has subtle hints of vanilla, pear and jalapeño, plus earthy notes of citrus and native grass. As the brand's hero product, its designed as a fresh take on tequila and has a 37% ABV. Beudi Margi Spirit is then dubbed by the group ‘Australia’s first Margi Spirit in a bottle’. The spirit combines blanco spirit with Sunrise Lime Liqueur, mixed with native citrus with zingy marmalade flavours. It was first created by Connor at Rosella’s, before being scaled into production. It has a 35% ABV. Regarding the RTDs, one is a Sparkling Margi, made with Sunrise lime and soda, while the other is an ‘ode to life under the Southern sun’ named the Bushwater. Described as a simple, crisp and earthy refreshment, Bushwater pairs Desert Lime, soda and blanco. Both clock in at 5% ABV. Co-founder Coulson said: “When it comes to Tequila and agave spirits, Australians are a thirsty bunch; so much so we’re the third largest consumer in the world. Not only do we have a palette for the plant’s juice, we also happen to have a climate that is perfectly suited to growing it. "While the international Tequila market has experienced exponential growth for several years, the sun is just rising on Australian grown and distilled agave.” The brand's distribution will initially be across the Northern Rivers, Gold Coast and Brisbane, with New South Wales and Victoria to follow once capacity allows. There is also an ‘eye on the global stage’. Additionally, the group has committed to giving back to local land and communities. They’ve pledged to donate 1% of net revenue to Australian wildlife and conservation efforts. Furthermore, the brand’s native sunrise and desert limes are sourced through Indigenous-owned social enterprise Bush to Bowl, which supports native farming and community-led landcare. Beudi’s agave is fermented, distilled, and bottled in Australia. It is currently a 100% blend of Mexican and locally grown Blue Weber agave, with a future view to be 100% Australian-grown as supply allows. Connor added: “We’re building a brand that is true to who we are – approachable, premium and unapologetically Australian. “We’re serious about good drinks, driven by locality and sustainability, while being down to earth and proud of our land.” Beudi follows Act of Treason as an Australian agave spirits brand. The world of agave spirits is wider than just Tequila and Mezcal, earlier in the year The Spirits Business explored 10 non-Mexican agave spirits.