The core of what Dharawal Distilling Co. is about is clear from the moment that founder Mitch Lowrie starts sharing his journey. “I’m a proud Wiradjuri Aboriginal man, but I grew up and live on Dharawal country. I created the brand to showcase the Dharawal community to the world.”
The first nations spirit brand, operating out of Bellambi, was formed in September 2023 and crafts gin and vodka infused with native botanicals. Mitch who has been residing in the Illawarra for the past 15 years, with his three children all born here, felt a calling to create a product that represented where he and his family lived.
Mitch says that the mark of difference in his products is that “local Aboriginal community members forage for the ingredients on country. I want to use this as a vehicle to show that Aboriginal people have practices that have been around for 60,000 years, that can be combined with modern science to create spirits, that’s something that’s never been done before.”
Across the Illawarra and Sydney, Dharawal Distilling Co. products are stocked across 35 bars and pubs.
Currently the brand offers their Craft Gin, the Native Easy Gin and the Native Vodka in bars and online and their vodka spritz is available select bars too.
With the goal of broadening to other states, the spirits brand is on a fast-track lane, in fact, they’re getting ready to go global. Dharawal Distilling Co. will be launching in Duty Free at the International Airport. Mitch couldn’t be more right when he says that “the sky’s the limit.”
The vision for the brand is rooted in the work of Mitch’s career. He has been in the Aboriginal support space for nearly 20 years and now, even to this day he continues this occupation. The centrality of community from his support role is imbued with the ethos of the distillery, Mitch says, “this is an opportunity for me to take it in another angle.”
Beyond foraging on country, Mitch is motivated to continue supporting first nations peoples. During NAIDOC week this year, the company collaborated with local Aboriginal artist Kane Wright who created an original design for the Craft Gin bottle. The artwork ‘Ngaramura’ (meaning see the way) tells a story of Dharawal country. Mitch says that the brand has committed to Kane’s design as the full-time logo for the Craft Gin and is excited to employ more Aboriginal artists for their other bottles.
More than this, Mitch has been able to support his 15 year old son Banjo with the business too. He says, “We recently did a long table launch at the Illawarra hotel, who are amazing supporters of us, and we showcased all our spirits and all the foraging techniques we use, not only in drinks, but also in food.
“The food was curated by my son, Banjo. He created kangaroo dumplings, wallaby spring rolls, green ant marshmallows as a dessert.”
From that event, Mitch says that his son has now gained prospective opportunities in hospitality from attendees of the event. He says, “It blows my mind that the brand could support him like that.”
If you’re yet try these botanical spirits, you’re in luck. Mitch speaks with pride when he tells me, “The beauty of it is, we’re in so many cool bars in Wollongong. I encourage people to get out there to try them out and I encourage the amazing bartenders out there. I don’t claim to be a cocktail expert, but I make the spirit.” For Mitch, it’s about the many hands that support the business. While he may create the product, he says the bartenders can make it into something special, “That’s where the artistry comes in.”
The new season brings in new ambition. Mitch says, “The plan is for spring and summer to evolve the company again.”
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