By Sonia Isaacs
A NEW chapter in Sunshine Coast craftsmanship has begun with the opening of Stillmaker Distillery in Montville, a family-run venture blending tradition, innovation and a proud legacy. Founded in 2018 by Sandy and Mick Martin, the bespoke distillery honours Mick’s grandfather (Nonno), Valentino, an Italian tradesman who arrived in Australia in 1927 and inspired a multigenerational passion for crafting things by hand.
As the region’s first dedicated whiskey producer, Stillmaker harnesses Montville’s mineral-rich spring water, four times softer and more alkaline than Tasmania’s to create an exceptionally smooth spirit.
Using premium single-origin grains, hand-crafted beer wash and a double-distillation process, the Martins do everything themselves, from barrel assembly to blending. Their whiskey matures in rare 45-year-old barrels sourced from McWilliams Wines, with six years in local conditions equivalent to around 15 years of Scottish maturation.
At the grand opening last Friday (November 7), guests celebrated the culmination of generations of skill and dedication.
Each bottle tells a story of heritage and craftsmanship, positioning Stillmaker Distillery as a beacon for Queensland’s growing artisan spirits industry.