Life
Tasmanian Whisky with Launceston Distillery
Tasmanian whisky soars to new heights with delightful drams from Launceston Distillery.
Launceston Airport is not where one might expect to find a distillery, let alone the region’s first traditional whisky producer granted a production licence in almost 180 years. Yet here, within Hangar 17 - the state’s oldest surviving commercial aviation building - a little world of wonder awaits the dedicated whisky lover.
Since 2013, this unassuming structure - home to past icons like Ansett and Australian National Airways - has served as HQ for one of Australia’s most celebrated small batch whisky producers, Launceston Distillery. Today, what was once the birthplace of Tasmanian aviation is now the crucible for some of the country’s most premium single malt whisky, crafted right in the heart of the Tasmanian Whisky Trail.
Founded by five friends and overseen by Launceston local Chris Condon, former brew team leader at J Boag and Sons and founding distiller of Nant Distillery until 2011, this small yet perfectly formed operation has certainly taken off in a big way. Indeed, the last couple of years has seen the distillery soar with a spate of awards across its range, all handcrafted from the purest Tasmanian ingredients in the finest traditions of Scottish whisky.
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FINISHED TO PERFECTION
Under the watchful eye of Angus the ‘Westie’ - Tasmania’s most experienced distillery dog - Chris gently coaxes liquid gold from the combination of water from the nearby South Esk River and the highest quality local malted barley, double distilled through equipment made in Hobart by pioneering still-maker Peter Bailly and clad in Tasmanian oak for heat retention.
Each whisky is then matured on site in hand-selected European and American casks, resolving in beautiful flavours dependent on each specific cask’s oak species and history: amongst them bourbon richness, Tawny sweetness and spice, Apera caramels. Each is then non-chill filtered to retain its unique depth and character.
It all adds up to whisky made the right way: finished to perfection from local elements, and Angus-approved. Rich, refined, and unapologetically excellent, Launceston Distillery is definitely a location that aspiring and accomplished whisky flyers alike will want to keep on their respective radars.
Tasmania's most experienced distillery dog - Angus the 'Westie' from Launceston Distillery.
Selected Destinations
Take flight with the following selections from Launceston Distillery.
MATURED IN FRENCH OAK CASKS PREVIOUSLY USED TO AGE APERA (AUSTRALIAN SHERRY)
Colour - Rich copper
Nose - Engaging fragrant aromas of black cherries, vanilla and dates
Palate - Pleasant and rich with subtle dried fruit flavours, malt, spice and caramel
Finish - Smooth and lingering with long Apera notes
AGED IN AMERICAN OAK, EX-BOURBON BARRELS ITS ENTIRE LIFE
Colour - Dark golden
Nose - Light and crisp with hints of vanilla, fresh apple and banana skin
Palate - Smooth and rich with vanilla, custard and honey characters
Finish - Light and lingering with sweet honey notes
AGED A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS IN THE DISTILLERY’S OLDEST, MOST SPECIAL CASKS
Colour - Rich and golden
Nose - Vanilla with hints of ripe pineapple and cane sugar
Palate - Warming with subtle bourbon vanilla flavours and banana bread on the finish
Finish - Long, creamy and lingering
AGED ITS ENTIRE LIFE IN EX-BOURBON AND EX-TAWNY CASKS
Colour - Pale yellow
Nose - Delicate honeycomb, eucalypt, beeswax and citrus with a hint of smoke
Palate - Marzipan, stonefruit, bush honey, gentle peat, spices and buttered toast
Finish - Lingering earthy peat
To learn more and find stockists, visit launcestondistillery.com.au