In 2020, Australian based distiller Top Shelf International embarked on an ambitious project – to develop a farm and distillery site in the Whitsundays in northern Queensland and produce Australia’s first Agave spirit, Act of Treason. Appellation rules around country of origin means that this spirit cannot be called Tequila, but that’s ok according to Top Shelf CEO Trent Fraser who sees the opportunity as an exciting venture. “If some feel that we’re being treasonous, then so be it. The greater crime would be not doing it all.”

TFG worked alongside the Top Shelf International team to ensure the design and layout of the distillery was maximised. This included:

• Pre-assembly of the double copper pot distillery in our Yatala workshop
• All pipework for the distillery was fabricated and tested in our workshop, before being shipped to site
• Fabrication of pipe racks and platforms
• Fabrication of the ovens for the drying agave plants
• Installation of all product, steam, CIP & other service lines
• Fabrication and installation of pressure reducing stations
• Installation of all distillery and fermentation tanks

Top Shelf International and TFG Group worked together to bring the client’s sustainability vision to life. Upcycled shipping containers, energy-saving sub cooler, a custom designed ultra small batch still, gravity-fed water preservation, double copper pot distillation, and a repurposed basket press are just a few of the innovative features that have been built into this progressive distillery. TFG are proud to have been involved  in this exciting project which showcases our fabrication and installation services to the beverage industry.