Restaurant Review: Husk Distillery

Who doesn’t like a pretty little cocktail or two? You can certainly expect a few of those at Husk Farm Distillery in Tweed Valley.

Not long after walking into the place, I was handed a gorgeous Ink Gin cocktail before being left to marvel at the surrounding stunning views across the Valley to Wollumbin Mt Warning and beyond.

Located in the agriculture rich Tweed River, Tumbulgum, the rolling green hills and paddocks that sprawled out around Husk gave a promising chance of tasty paddock to plate options at the restaurant. In fact, I learn that it isn’t just paddock to plate, as this is Australia’s first paddock to bottle agricole rum distillery.

Husk launched in 2012 with a dream to create sipping quality Australian rum. As Australia’s first agricultural rum distillery, they have developed a new style of rum with a paddock to bottle philosophy, using sugar cane grown 100% on their farm. The volcanic soil, sub-tropical climate and local cane varieties combine each harvest to create something unique, and the terroir of the Tweed is reflected in every dram of Husk Rum.

However, Rum is not all they produce. The seasonal nature of Husk Rum means they must innovate other spirits during the growing season. Enter Ink Gin. Ink Gin was created after a voyage of botanical discovery and was a world first that turned the most traditional spirit upside down. The gin is infused with ink from the butterfly pea flower, which makes it change colour to a soft pink to purple tone (depending on the strength) when certain tonics are added.

The distillery houses a cellar door, cocktail bar and Planter’s café. Visitors can sample a cocktail list that will change seasonally and focus on showcasing Husk’s spirits together with native bushfood and locally growth produce.

For tasty treats, enjoy a loaded grazing board or some Ink Gin and Husk Pure Cane chocolates paired with Blackboard coffee from the Planters café while taking in the views across the open green pastures to the Tweed river and Wollumbin (Mt Warning).

After tasting the delights of Husk, visitors can see how it all happens with a guided tour of the distillery, including an Ink Gin and tonic on arrival and Husk rum tasting flight in the Barrel House.