Who we are
At Anther Spirits the art of distillation meets with science and innovation.
For many years, Anther have specialised in consulting, product creation and contract distilling. We provide unparalleled expertise to both small and very large companies to create recipes and bring new products to life. We can assist you with the entire process from research and development stage to final product and storage.
Meet Anther's co-owners and experts, Dervilla McGowan and Sebastian Reaburn below.
Dr Devilla McGowan
CO-OWNER, DISTILLER & CEO
Derv worked in some of London’s best cocktail bars, before returning home to complete a PhD in Medical Microbiology at Monash University. While completing her PhD, she helped create iconic bars 1806 & Heartbreaker, staying part of the cocktail industry. After her PhD, Derv worked as a scientist developing fast composting technology for food waste recycling. But she never lost
her love of spirits and cocktails and brought her expertise and scientific rigour to Anther Experimental Distillation, which she started with partner Seb in 2016. Since then, Derv has created numerous collaboration spirits, completed research distilling and fermentation projects for small and large companies, built a rigorous Research and Development culture, not to mention building and managing the award-winning Anther Spirits, winner of two Championship Trophies for her gins. Derv is a regular presenter in trade on Australian botanicals, distillation & promoting women in the industry, the previous Vice President of Spirits Victoria and a director of Women of Australian Distilling.
Sebastian Reaburn
CO-OWNER & CONSULTANT
Consultant distiller extraordinaire Sebastian Reaburn boasts an impressive background in the Australian liquor scene. Throughout more than two decades in the spirit industry, and with partner Derv, he has owned and operated some of Australia’s most awarded bars 1806 & Heartbreaker, represented internationally renowned brands Bacardi, Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire, was House distiller at Craft & Co and Master Distiller at Top Shelf International ASX.
Seb has played pivotal roles building high growth independent brands including 42 Below, Cape Grim Vodka, Grainshaker, and co-founded Anther Spirits with Dervilla McGowan in 2016. Furthermore, Seb oversaw the research, development, distillery design and build for the award-winning Act of Treason and Australia's first off grid, 100% renewable, dedicated farm to bottle agave spirit.
Throughout Seb’s journey he has been honoured with numerous national and
international awards having achieved an impressive eight championship trophies for spirits, World Vodka Producer of the Year, World’s Best Specialty Spirit Agave and Australian Whisky Producer of the Year. This was alongside such accolades as Australian Bartender of the Year, Brand Ambassador of the Year, and World’s Best Cocktail Menu, to name a few.
Philosophy & Services
Our consulting philosophy is simple, excel in each part of the distilling business cycle, and success will follow. Our passion is for excellence in product, people, and production with the experience to support any or all of the business cycle such as -
Research and Development and recipe creation
Team mentoring and training,
Distillery design and planning,
Distillery safety, training and compliance
Excise compliance, application and licensing
State Liquor Licensing compliance and application
Managing operations, production and product excellence
Set up and management of whisky and spirit maturation
Scaling of operations
Providing Route to Market strategy
Advisory support for investment, mergers and acquisitions, and due diligence.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you bring your vision to life.
hello@anther.com.au
