From Gourmet Taste Creations to Botanik Craft Spirits

Colleen Walters didn’t just build a brand—she built a flavour empire.

In 2009, she launched Gourmet Taste Creations with a single spice blend and a bold vision: to transform everyday ingredients into unforgettable rituals. That vision grew into a pantry powerhouse of over 300 handcrafted products—from infused oils and vinegars to dukkahs, teas, chocolate powders, and cocktail sugars.

With 575 Australian Fine Food Awards, Colleen became one of the country’s most decorated creators. In 2025, Gourmet Taste Creations was proudly named a finalist in the Moreton Bay Business Awards, celebrating its innovation, community impact, and dedication to craft.

But she wasn’t done.

In 2016, Colleen founded one of the Gold Coast’s first production micro-distilleries, marking her fearless leap into the world of spirits. From there, she embarked on a global flavour journey:

• London – Studied gin production under Dr. Anne Brock at Jensen’s Distillery (now Master Distiller at Bombay Sapphire)

• Napa Valley – Completed WSET Wine & Spirits Training, deepening her sensory and technical mastery

• Scotland (2017) – Earned the IBD General Certificate in Brewing & Distilling

• USA – Advanced training in barrel maturation, fault detection, and spirit evaluation

• Jamaica & St. Lucia – Immersive workshops in yeast science and rum distillation, exploring Caribbean terroir and tradition

Then came 2020. Midway through a global pandemic, Colleen launched Botanik Craft Spirits—a bold new chapter that fused her gourmet heritage with the art of distillation. What began as a creative flavour lab evolved into a full-fledged spirits brand, complete with immersive storytelling, ritual-inspired branding, and a founder-led Spirit Schoolmentoring the next generation of creators.

Today, you’ll find Colleen and her team at artisan craft producer markets across Brisbane and surrounding regions—sharing stories, pouring samples, and turning every weekend into a flavour festival.

From spice jars to spirit bottles, from market stalls to masterclasses—the journey continues: bold, botanical, and unmistakably Colleen.

Colleen Walters
📧 colleen@gourmettastecreations.com.au
📞 +61 406 636 492