Tasmania

Question 1

How many whisky distilleries in Australia (including what’s in the pipeline)?

Answer 1

-250

Question 2

when was there a ban on distilling in Tasmania?

Answer 2

-between 1796 - 1822

Question 3

-When did Distiller’s Company Limited open a distillery in Australia and why?

Answer 3

-1929
-due to high import taxes
-distillery was called Corio

Question 4

When did the “new wave” of whisky distilleries start in Tasmania?

Answer 4

-from the late 1980’s ]
-Bill Lark lobbied to permit small-scale distilling

Question 5

who are the pioneers of the new Australian industry?

Answer 5

-Bill Lark (Lark)
-Casey Overeem (Overeem)
-Patrick Maguire (Sullivan’s Cove)
-David Baker (Starward)

Question 6

Lark

Answer 6

-Hobart region of Tasmania
-founded in 1992
-successfully lobbied to get a change in the law permitting small stills
-founded Australian Whisky Holdings (AWH) which became Lark in 2020

Question 7

What whiskies fall under the Lark umbrella?

Answer 7

-Coal River
-Shene Estate

Question 8

Sullivan’s Cove

Answer 8

-Founded in 1994 by Patrick Maguire
-Distiller Heather Tillott
-temperature capped ferments are seven days - with further two days of rest
-Mix of different yeasts
-Cognac style alembic still run low and slow
-Casks are full sized, pre-dominantly ex-Bourbon and ex-Tawny Port

Question 9

Overeem

Answer 9

-founded in 2005 by Casey Overeem in Hobart
-“Long” philosophy for ferments, distillation, and maturation.
-Tasmania temperature fluctuations - whisky aged in purpose built cool-temperature warehouses
-Casks are heavily toasted and charred ex-sherry, ex-port and ex-bourbon from 100-500 litres

Question 10

Belgrove

Answer 10

-fifth generation farmer Peter Vignelli
-one of the world’s most remarkable distilleries and a model for sustainability
-grows rye (and other cereal grains such as oats)
-ferments are with wild yeast
-still is homemade
-burners are fuelled by used cooking oil from a roadhouse accross the road
-Spent mash goes to sheep,
-rainwater for cooling and cleaning waste irrigates his field

Question 11

Hellyers Road

Answer 11

-all of the processes take place on site
-Stills are huge - wash 60,000 litres (spirits 20k)
-On average whisky gets 7-10 years before release
-age statements have reached 15 - 21 years

Question 12

-What is Australia’s first solely femaled owned distillery?

Answer 12

-Killara
-owned by Kristy Lark-Booth
-founded in 2016

Question 13

Other Tasmanian Distilleries

Answer 13

-Killara
-Spring Bay
-Furneaux
-McHenry