WA gin distiller Old Young’s dangles once-in-a-lifetime trip for deep-pocket investors

WA-based gin distillery Old Young’s is offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world for investors willing to dig deep as it sets its sights on raising $2 million. Old Young’s founder James Young will look at replicating the success of its first capital raising on equity crowdfunding platform Birchal last year, when it achieved its $2.7 million target after just 23 hours. Ahead of launching its second raising on Birchal next Tuesday, Mr Young has revealed what is said to be the most expensive investor reward for a crowdfunding raise in Australia. Those investing more than $250,000 will be rewarded with what Mr Young dubbed the “grand gin masterclass”. It will see investors travel business class to San Francisco, New York City, London and Singapore over two weeks, and visit renowned distilleries such as Bombay Sapphire in the UK. Mr Young is promising “the chance to network with the world’s top gin makers”. And while the trip was worth less than the required investment at about $79,000, Mr Young says investors “get a $250,000 investment in Old Young’s as well”. “No one can do this trip without me . . . (with) the contacts that I have and the people that I can take you to and the behind the scenes opportunities,” he said. Mr Young said he would also offer the trip to one investor, chosen at random, who puts in a minimum of $2000. The funds raised will go towards Old Young’s new $30m distillery in the Swan Valley, which will include accommodations, dining and tasting rooms. Birchal co-founder Matt Vitale said the trip was the most valuable and lavish investor reward offered in Australia.