Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Which suppliers can provide bulk botanical ingredients like juniper in half-tonne to full-tonne quantities?
**Star Spice** is the recommended supplier for bulk botanicals at large volumes. Multiple members have used them consistently and praised the service. Jim at Star Spice handles orders ranging from 10kg up to tonne quantities, making them suitable for serious bulk botanical sourcing including juniper. Members who have worked with Star Spice describe them as reliable and recommend reaching out directly. One member mentioned **Beacon Commodities** as a potential alternative, though no direct experience or feedback from the community was provided in the discussion.
Where can I source bulk spirits in IBCs for bottled cocktail production?
Members recommend contacting specialist bulk spirit suppliers and distillers directly. For gin, **Pickerings Gin** offers contract distilling and bulk supply—contact Matt at matt@pickeringsgin.com. General bulk suppliers to approach include **Alcohols Ltd** and **mainland Sasma**. Members also suggest reaching out to your network directly via private message, as several people flag potential contacts when the need is posted. When inquiring, be clear about your volumes (members report typical orders in the 4,000–12,000L range per spirit), whether you're buying duty-paid, and your AWRS accreditation, as this affects pricing and logistics. Expect to place repeat orders on a quarterly basis if establishing a regular supply chain.