Renowned for its rich and diverse whiskey industry, Tasmania, Australia, houses some of the most sought-after brands globally, such as the award-winning Sullivans Cove. Bottles from this iconic brand are so coveted that they get sold out within minutes of their online availability.
“Tasmanian whiskey stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest global whiskeys. Contributing to its top-tier quality are the island’s essentials such as clean water, barley, highland peat, and a fitting climate,” explains Nitesh Chalise, bar supervisor at Mary Mary, a prominent establishment in Hobart, Tasmania’s capital.
The allure of Tasmanian whiskey was amplified in 2014 when Sullivans Cove’s French Oak whiskey was crowned the world’s best single malt at the World Whiskies Awards. Further recognition came in 2018 when the head distiller was inducted into the global Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame.
Notably, Tasmanian whiskies are characterized by distillers’ use of local brewers’ barley, commonly used for beer, as opposed to imported distillers’ barley for the mash. This unique approach, as elaborated by Jerome Lebel-Jones, Sullivans Cove’s marketing manager, differentiates Tasmanian whiskeys from their Scotch counterparts.
While Tasmanian distilleries often use imported American oak barrels for aging their whiskies, Australian fortified-wine barrels made from French oak are also employed. Interestingly, Tasmanian whiskies are stored in smaller casks than traditional Scotch whiskies, usually holding a maximum of 150 to 200 liters compared to the Scotch’s 300-litre casks.
Sullivans Cove sets itself apart by adhering to the traditional Scottish approach of utilizing larger casks and producing single cask whiskey, with each bottle requiring about 12 years on average to produce. Despite the extended aging period, Sullivans Cove does not operate on a schedule but rather waits for a unanimous excellent score from their tasting team before deeming the whiskey ready to be bottled.
With a humble and simple tasting room just a short drive east from Hobart, Sullivans Cove offers a select range of vintages for sale, starting around A$400 per 70cl bottle, significantly more expensive than any other Tasmanian whiskey. However, if you make it to their tasting room, you are guaranteed the opportunity to purchase a bottle of this elusive whiskey.
Apart from Sullivans Cove, other notable Tasmanian whiskey makers include the Lark tasting room, McHenry Distillery, Killara distillery, Belgrove, Old Kempton, Overeem, Spring Bay, and Hellyers Road. Each offers a unique experience and contribution to the rich and vibrant Tasmanian whiskey scene, ensuring a flavorful journey for every whiskey enthusiast who ventures on the island.
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