An Ultra-Rare Lunar New Year Rum from Queensland’s Beenleigh Distillery Launches

WORDS: Olivia Charlotte PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Beenleigh Rum, Australia’s oldest operating distillery, proudly announces its limited-edition Year of the Snake Rum to honour the 2025 Lunar New Year. With only 2,700 individually numbered bottles produced from just three barrels, this rare release is crafted for serious collectors and rum enthusiasts.

Handcrafted from premium Australian sugarcane molasses, the rum is aged up to eight years in historic ex-brandy vats and ex-bourbon barrels, resulting in a bold and intricate profile with notes of rich butter, warm spice, and oak.

“When selecting only three barrels, every drop counts,” says Paul Kassebaum, Operations Director at Beenleigh. “This rum tells the story of our 140-year legacy. It’s got the buttery richness and spice that embody resilience and luck—just like the Snake itself.”

The bottle and gift box feature exclusive artwork by renowned illustrator QingFeng Che, blending traditional Chinese motifs with refined detail. Her design symbolises wisdom, transformation, and blessings for prosperity and family reunion.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Rich butter and warm spice, with subtle oak.
• Palate: Buttery notes, spiced wood, and molasses.
• Finish: Smooth, rounded, with lasting warmth.

Product Details:

• RRP: $150 AUD
• ABV: 40%
• Availability: Limited to 2,700 bottles worldwide, available at Beenleigh Distillery, select Australian retailers, duty-free outlets, and online via Sippify.