Satisfy your hunger for knowledge, world class spirits and fine food by joining us for a unique rum-fueled experience in The Daintree Bar on Saturday afternoon.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Port Douglas has invited FNQ Rum Co. Founder and Master Distiller, Mark Watkins from Mt Uncle Distillery, to bring a unique Masterclass to Port Douglas featuring the only gold medal winning rums made from Tropical North Queensland sugarcane.

Dubbed ‘Raise a glass to the past’ this signature experience at the Sheraton will pay homage to the cane cutters who arrived in the region over 100 years ago and their descendants who remain in the region today as successful farmers and business owners.

Guided by Mark, you will learn how the process begins in the local cane fields, then moves to the sugar mill, where it is crushed after harvesting.

Mark then personally does ‘the sugar run’ collecting the freshly pressed cane juice and bringing it home to the distillery where it is fermented, distilled, placed into barrels and, when ready, bottled for your enjoyment.

Mark will then talk you through his three award winning rums (two having received gold medals at the London Spirits Competition), each showcasing the diversity of the category, and will be on hand to answer all of your rum-inspired questions.

The masterclass includes tastings of freshly crushed sugar cane juice and Mark’s three rums, paired with three small plates carefully curated by Sheraton’s Executive Chef, Belinda Tuckwell and will finish with a delicious cocktail and a little sweet treat!

Mark Watkins set out to create some of the best spirits in the world, over 20 years ago.

“It is inspiring that our rum has received the kind of recognition that comes with winning medals at the highly regarded London Spirits Competition,” Mr Watkins said.

“We put so much passion and love into our products and have always wanted to produce some of the best rum in the world… but we didn’t think we’d get the gold this early.”

The goal of this masterclass is to help the enthusiastic amateurs and those more acquainted with this storied spirit understand more about the distilling process and the region, hopefully coming away with a new found love of rum.