If thereโs one thing that Tasmania and Tasmanians do well, itโs winter. A lush, crisp landscape battered by chilly seas and dotted with English-style estates. Logfires and all.
Itโs become clear that such a wild and cold climate fosters the ideal environment for crafting world-class whiskeys.
Below, weโve picked a handful of our favourites. One thingโs for sure, gone are the days when Tasmanian whisky was an affordable or value-driven spirit. The best Tassie distilleries deserve to be in the midst of the conversation. Right next to their elite counterparts from Scotland and Japan.
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Callington Mill Distillery
Nestled in Oatlands, Tasmania, Callington Mill Distillery is renowned for its commitment to heritage and its unique single malt whisky production. Youโll find the site within the historic mill precinct, which was built by John Vincent in 1837, and at one time, housed an illegal distillery.
From World Whiskies Awards gold to San Francisco World Spirits Competition silver, Callingtonโs highly decorated Enigma Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky seems to make the right kind of splash wherever it goes.
Described as an โintriguing and captivating journey into complexity and elegance,โ the Enigma is matured in both ex-sherry oak casks from Jerez De La Frontera, Spain and ex-port oak casks from the Douro Valley, Portugal.
What you get is essentially a symphony of aromas โ namely burnt orange, caramel, and nutmeg intertwined with dried figs, marzipan, and roasted tobacco โ along with a soft and delicate palate that offers layers of raisins, dried sultanas, and tropical fruits; as well as fresh strawberry notes that blend seamlessly with dry oak and spice that lead to subtle orange tones and a โsoft peppery bitterness.โ
Callington Mill Distillery is currently the biggest whisky distillery in Tasmania.
Overeem Whisky
Inarguably one of our favourite Tasmanian whisky makers here at Boss Hunting HQ, Overeem is a small independently owned operation based just outside of Hobart.
Located in an unassuming industrial park in Huntingfield, it is nonetheless responsible for crafting some of the most highly lauded (and perpetually sold out) single malt whiskies across the Bass Strait.
Along with Messrs Bill Lark and Patrick Maguire, Casey Overeem can be credited as one of the โfounding fathersโ of Tasmaniaโs now globally lauded whisky industry. Today, the company is helmed by Caseyโs daughter Jane; who remains firm to the Overeem legacy of creating single malt drams which โproudly stand alongside the best whiskies in the world.
For us, the standard bearer of that ongoing quest is Overeemโs Sherry Cask Matured whisky (60% ABV). An extensive, week-long fermentation and use of two-stage distillation processes gives this expression its characteristically viscous and โintricateโ palate: stacked with classic Highland-style notes of stewed plum, dark chocolate chunks, maple syrup and baking spice.
Lark Distillery
Bill Lark is commonly regarded as the grandfather of the Tasmanian whisky industry. A challenger of the archaic 1839 legislation that banned hard liquor in the state, Lark originally came from a quantity surveying background.
His namesake distillery began operations in 1992; and kickstarted production with the aid of barley supplied by the Cascade Brewery. The result was a whisky with a smooth, creamy texture and resinous finish on the palate โ both characteristics that would later become emblematic of Tasmanian whisky.
Initially, Lark keep things simple: offering both a 43% ABV whisky (โSingle Malt Classic Caskโ) and 58% ABV expression (โSingle Malt Cask Strengthโ). In our book, either reads like a home run.
In recent years, with Head Distiller Chris Thompson leading the charge, Lark has been able to offer some extremely accessible, forward-thinking and unique releases. Among our favourites? The โRebellionโ: a bright and bittersweet rendition of the signature Lark style, infused with the flavour of Chinotto-seasoned oak casks.
Sullivans Cove
Australiaโs most awarded distillery burst onto the global scene when their American Oak Single Cask (47.5% ABV) became the first homegrown whisky to achieve โLiquid Goldโ status in Jim Murrayโs Whisky Bible, before becoming the only Australian whisky to ever be named โWorldโs Best Single Maltโ at the World Whiskies Awards in 2014 for their French Oak Single Cask (47.5% ABV).
Naturally, these award-winning drops can often be difficult to get a hold of in a retail setting; though fortunately, Sullivans Cove also offers the marginally more attainable Double Cask (48.5% ABV) expression โ released to the public by ballot.
Hellyers Road Distillery
Originally a dairy farm in days gone by, Hellyers Road is now just as renowned around Australia for its single malt whisky as it is all things udder-based. The distillery branched out into the craft of whisky distillation over 20 years ago (courtesy of a healthy capital injection of some $10 million) and now enjoys a reputation as one of Tasmaniaโs preeminent distilleries.
Among an array of unique products (including a range of dessert liqueurs that bridges Hellyersโ present with its heritage as a dairy farm) the signature dram here, all these years later, is still most definitely the single malt finished in Pinot Noir casks.
Pitched at 46.2% ABV, this presents an extremely robust value proposition at the ~$130 mark.
Kurio (by Lark Distilling Co)
While this is technically a Lark offshoot, much like its free-spirited Crimson Jam drop, Kurio refuses to stay in just one lane.
The aforementioned ultra-premium blended malt โ finished in Tasmanian cherry and sparkling wine-seasoned casks โ is a โcelebration of unceasing curiosity,โ as well as the pursuit of โunknown pleasure in every sip.โ Vibrant, full-flavoured, and versatile, with a perfect balance of jammy sweetness and smooth apple-wood smoke.
The palate reveals honeyed apricot, a hint of nutmeg, as well as black forest cake; while the finish is a โluscious medley โof cherry jam, custard, and velvety mocha.
Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
McHenry & Sons
Up next we have the countryโs southernmost distillery, McHenry & Sons. This distilleryโs enviable location allow it to reap the benefits of pristine spring water found on the Tasman peninsular. That natural bounty comes at a premium, though.
The brandโs latest release, โAphroditeโ, for instance retails for around $240 per unit (55% ABV). Full of stone fruit flavours and with an intensely spicy finish, the majority of its maturation takes place in French oak barrels previously used to store Port. Delicious stuff.
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Nant Distilling Company
Started by Welsh settlers back in the 1800โs, Nant distinguishes itself with exceptional single malts that are (invariably) distilled in a trifecta of ex-sherry casks, bourbon barrels and wine-seasoned French oak.
The distillery claims to be the home of โTasmaniaโs only premium Highland Single Malt Whisky,โ primarily due to its stunning location in the heart of Bothwell.
In 2016, beleaguered by high-profile financial difficulties, Nant was sold to a private equity company. Since then, the distilleryโs grounds and adjacent estate have been largely closed to the public but you can still find some of its previous bottlings stocked with specialty retailers.
Our picks are the highly approachable and eponymous Nant Single Malt Whisky (43% ABV) along with the cask-strength version of the award-winning Nant Port Wood (63% ABV). Word to the wise: if you see these floating around, buy first and ask questions later.
If youโve enjoyed this guide to the best Tasmanian whiskies and distilleries, then why not check out some of our other spirited stories? Here are a handful of our favourites to get you started:
