The Australian whisky industry is all grown up. While whisky production in Australia dates back to 1820, the landscape is vastly different two centuries on — for starters, when Australia first started producing whisky, Tasmania was still called Van Diemen’s Land. The Australian whisky industry has experienced several incarnations (and a fair few disruptions), however the state of the industry as we know it today starts just over three decades ago, with the opening of Lark Distillery in 1992 which gave rise to several other craft distilleries cropping up across Tasmania and Victoria.
While other whisk(e)y (like our Scotch counterparts, we eschew the ‘e’) producing countries—like Scotland, America, and Ireland—have drams across several different price points, Australian whiskies tend to be concentrated in the premium and ultra-premium ranges. Unlike Scotland and Japan, the definition of Australian whisky is also fairly broad; most whisky made in Australia is single malt and made in a similar style to Scotch whisky, however rye, wheat, and blended whiskies are also produced.
Lark Distillery and Sullivans Cove are likely the most well known Australian whisky brands on the market, and it’s hard to go wrong with that due. However, we’d recommend expanding your palate—and venturing beyond Tasmania—to uncover gems such as Melbourne’s The Gospel, Bakery Hill, and Starward, not to mention Sydney’s Archie Rose or even Perth’s lesser-known Whipper Snapper.
The best Australian whisky brands to try in 2024
With almost 300 distilleries across the country, you needn’t hop on a flight to find the best whisky. These are the best Australian whisky brands to know about.
1. Lark
It would be remiss to begin a story on the best Australian whiskies with anything other than Lark. Founder Bill Lark was on a fishing trip with his father-in-law Max; as they enjoyed a bottle of single malt surrounded by barley fields and the flowing river, Bill remarked to Max, “I wonder why there isn’t anyone making malt whisky in Tasmania?” Indeed, the island state’s abundance of barley fields, pure spring water, and natural peat bogs made for the ideal setting for whisky production. After working to amend Australia’s archaic distillation laws, Lark was born.
The first Australian distillery to produce single malt spirit in 154 years, Lark consistently releases hit after hit. The Lark Classic Cask balances sweet, spicy, and savoury notes with plum pudding and apple crumble on the palate, and is the perfect foray into the brand—and Australian whisky as a whole—while the annual Christmas Cask is also a must-try. After that, delve into the Tasmanian Peated to taste the Australian take on the smoky stuff.
Established in: 1992
Founder: Bill Lark
Location: Tasmania
Notable expressions: Classic Cask, Tasmanian Peated, Muscat Cask Finish II
2. Archie Rose
While Archie Rose Distilling Co. is best known for its gin, the Sydney-based outfit is proving it can do the brown stuff just as well. The brand released its first rye whisky in 2019 and its first single malt the following year, with the latter snapping up several industry awards prior to public release. The Archie Rose Single Malt won Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the World Whiskies Awards in the USA, the World Whisky Masters in London, and the SIP Awards in California, the resultant effect being that it’s often difficult to actually get your hands on. If you do find it in stock, expect a rich palate defined by lashes of sticky date pudding, espresso, and amaretto. We’d also recommend looking beyond the single malt and trying the Dry Grown Rye Malt Whisky, a nuanced expression that utilises unique grains like ancient purple and black malts in addition to barley and heirloom rye.
Established in: 2014 (whisky since 2019)
Founder: Will Edwards
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Notable expressions: Single Malt Whisky
3. Sullivans Cove
Another seminal Tasmanian whisky brand, Sullivans Cove can be credited with kickstarting the newfound international interest in Australian whisky. The Sullivans Cove French Oak was named the World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in 2014. Since then, it’s been almost impossible to acquire. A rich nose of rum, vanilla, dark toffee, and oak belie an unexpectedly soft palate of tropical fruits and mandarin peel, which give way to tart berries, lemon, spices, oak, and tobacco. Other sippable releases include the American Oak and Double Cask. Most Sullivans Cove whiskies are non-age statements, however the distillery occasionally releases aged anniversary specials. Its immense popularity means Sullivans Cove whiskies are often sold out, however the distillery announces new batches via its mailing list.
Established in: 1994
Founder: Robert Hoskin
Location: Tasmania
Notable expressions: French Oak Single Malt
4. Starward
Drawing inspiration from Australia’s thriving wine scene, Starward takes a decidedly contemporary approach to whisky production. Made with Australia malted barley, Starward often adds brewers’ yeast to its expressions for its tropical fruit flavours. Aged in Australian wine barrels, Melbourne’s continually changing temperatures allow Starward’s barrels to contract and expand at a faster rate, resulting in more woody flavours. Try the Solera which is crafted in the traditional Spanish solera process—historically used to age sherry—and has a layered palate of creme brûlée, caramel, figs, and banana, or the Nova, a fruit-forward single malt matured in Australian red wine barrels.
Established in: 2009
Founder: David Vitale
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Notable expressions: Solera, Nova
5. Limeburners
Inspired by the stories of his Scottish relatives’ whisky distilleries, Cameron Syme founded the Great Southern Distilling Company in 2004, releasing its first whisky under the Limeburners name in 2008. Putting Western Australian whisky on the map, Limeburners uses local grain and pure Albany water from limestone aquifers below the distillery, and matures its spirits in second fill American oak bourbon barrels. The Limeburners Single Malt Whisky American Oak represents the essence of the brand, with a soft, balanced palette of cinnamon, lemon, honey, and spice.
Established in: 2004
Founder: Cameron Syme
Location: Albany, Western Australia
Notable expressions: Single Malt Whisky American Oak
6. Bakery Hill
Founded by former chemistry teacher David Baker, who set out to prove that exceptional whisky could be made outside of Scotland, Bakery Hill is one of the more ‘Scotch-style’ Australian whiskies, using only malted barley, yeast, and water. Since its inception over two decades ago, Bakery Hill has hit its stride and knows what it does best, staying true to its core offering of Classic Malt, Double Wood, and Peated Malt; the former is made in the Speyside style and boasts notes of spiced apple, nutmeg, and honey along with a solid dose of malty sweetness. Meanwhile, the Peated Malt is made in the Highlands style and uses a touch of smoke to complement the sweet, floral, and fresh notes, rather than the medicinal style notes of Islay whiskies.
Established in: 1999
Founder: David Baker
Location: Balwyn North, Victoria
Notable expressions: Classic Malt, Double Wood, Peated Malt
7. Overeem
Known for its bold expressions, the Overeem core range comprises three variants; Port Cask, Sherry Cask, and Bourbon Cask, with each available in either distiller strength (43%) or cask strength (60%). The Sherry Cask is our pick of the lot, for its rich, dessert-like flavours. However if big and bold is your thing, the Port Cask is an undeniably punchy yet refined expression with notes of caramel, butterscotch, sweet toffee, and spices on the palate. Overeem also produces select limited-edition aged expressions, including a 12-Year-Old Bourbon Cask, which is a rarity in the world of Australian whisky.
Established in: 2007
Founder: Casey Overeem
Location: Hobart, Tasmania
Notable expressions: Port Cask, Sherry Cask, Bourbon Cask
8. Morris
Highly regarded for its wines since the 19th century, Morris of Rutherglen made an unexpected move into whisky in 2016. Based in regional Victoria, hot summer days and cool nights make for expressions that are grounded in place. The flagship Morris Single Malt Whisky defines the brand’s house style, with the amber liquid aged in fortified barrels and revealing a well rounded mouthfeel with notes of red stone fruits, jam, cocoa, and berries.
Established in: winery since 1859 (whisky since 2016)
Master Distiller: John McDougall
Location: Rutherglen, Victoria
Notable expressions: Single Malt Whisky, Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel
9. Hellyers Road
Founded by a group of dairy farmers and named after a road surveyed in 1827 by explorer Henry Hellyer, Hellyers Road is one of the largest whisky producers in Australia. Located in the Tasmanian coastal town of Burnie, Hellyers Road benefits from some of the cleanest air in the country. Hellyers Road is one of the few Australian whisky brands to produce aged statements, with the 10-Year-Old Single Malt Slightly Peated well worth trying; featuring distinctly Australian bushland and citrus notes on the nose and a sweet, tangy palate with a creamy, slightly smoky finish. Equally worth trying is the Single Malt Double Cask, which is finished in both American and French oak barrels.
Established in: 1999
Location: Burnie, Tasmania
Notable expressions: Single Malt Slightly Peated
10. The Gospel
Located in the hipster-laden city of Brunswick, The Gospel takes its style cues from America’s top craft distilleries. As Australia’s only dedicated rye whiskey (yes, we put the ‘e’ back in) distillery, The Gospel exclusively uses unmalted Australian rye grown in South Australia; chosen for its harsh climate that results in distinct flavours. The Straight Rye Whiskey is the Australian answer to a bold, spicy American-style rye whiskey, with a nuanced palate of vanilla, baking spices, and green apple.
Established in: 2019
Founders: Ben Bowles and Andrew Fitzgerald
Location: Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria
Notable expressions: Straight Rye Whiskey, Solera Rye
11. Iniquity
One of the best whiskies in the country, South Australian outfit Iniquity makes positively sinful drams. The Iniquity Gold Batch Series is bottled at cask strength (60%) and is sporadically released in batches — they’re currently on Gold Batch No. 007 which promises a smooth mouthfeel with notes of burnt caramel, fig jam, and toffee on the palette. For something different, try the Anomaly Flustercluck Too—the original Flustercluck was a mistake, this time they did it on purpose—which boasts a light, vibrant lemon sherbet taste with floral notes and waves of smoke and a peppery, licorice finish.
Established in: 2015
Founders: Ian Schmidt and Vic Orlow
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Notable expressions: Gold Batch,Anomaly Flustercluck Too
12. Cradle Mountain Whisky
Cradle Mountain Whisky was first distilled in 1989, prior to the first licences to legally distil whisky in Tasmania being granted in 1992. Many of Cradle Mountain Whisky’s releases are inspired by their bucolic locale, with A Walk In The Woods seeing palette of oats, salted caramel, banana pancakes, and oak boasting a forestial finish of Cradle Mountain pepper berries, moss, hops, and pine bark embers. Releases from Cradle Mountain Whisky sell out quickly and are only purchasable upon enquiry through the brand’s website.
Established in: 1989
Founder: Brian Poke
Location: Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
Notable expressions: A Walk In The Woods
13. NED
Named after legendary Australian bushranger and outlaw Ned Kelly, NED was founded with the intention of creating a local answer to the likes of Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s. Like its namesake, NED is bold and innovative, combining traditional single malt production with sour mash techniques to create an idiosyncratic spirit. A smooth yet strong expression defined by notes of sweet oak, spicy grain, dried fruit, mocha, vanilla, and dry coconut, NED belies its budget price tag (the brand’s core Australian Whisky retails for under $60AUD).
Established in: 2015
Founder: Drew Fairchild
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Notable expressions: Australian Whisky
14. Amber Lane
One of the most exciting new additions to the Australian whisky scene, Amber Lane has made a name for itself thanks to its thoughtful barrel sourcing, non-chill-filtration processes, and skillful blending. Its award-winning Liquid Amber Sherry Cask is aged in apera and PX casks with a touch of bourbon cask, resulting in a sweet, nuanced single malt with toffee, honeycomb, cocoa, maple syrup, figs, and citrus peel on the palette.
Established in: 2017
Founder: Rod Berry
Location: Yarramalong Valley, New South Wales
Notable expressions: Liquid Amber Sherry Cask
15. Timboon
Located in an old railway shed in Western Victoria, Timboon Distillery produces single malt whisky in the classic Scottish style. The Timboon Christie’s Cut is named after Inspector John Christie who was hired to track and capture illicit distiller Tom Delaney of the Timboon area. Aged in French port casks, it’s a decidedly robust expression with a full mouthfeel and a palate of dried fruit, spices, and smoke.
Established in: 2007
Founder: Josh Walker
Location: Timboon, Victoria
Notable expressions: Christie’s Cut
16. Whipper Snapper
Founded by brothers-in-law Alasdair Malloch and Jimmy McKeown, Whipper Snapper looks to American whiskeys for inspiration. The brand’s debut release, Upshot, sees a bourbon-style mash bill of 80% corn, 10% malted barley, and 10% wheat (all locally sourced) distilled and matured in virgin southern white oak. The result is a harmonious whiskey with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and sweet notes of butterscotch, caramel, and baking spices on the palate. Another rich, sweet expression, the Wheat Whiskey showcases the prestige of the Western Australian Wheatbelt with premium grain sourced from local farmers contributing to a deliciously smooth, honeyed liquid with flavours of vanilla, maple syrup, caramel, and oak.
Established in: 2014
Founders: Alasdair Malloch and Jimmy McKeown
Location: East Perth, Western Australia
Notable expressions: Upshot, Wheat Whiskey, Single Malt
17. McHenry
Its status as Australia’s southernmost distillery means McHenry benefits from some of the purest air and water in the world, something that’s evident in its drams. The Peated Single Malt Whisky is an expression that befits its coastal surrounds, with a nose of maritime saltiness and earthiness and a palate of vanilla and caramel tempered with a touch of salt and smoke. For something more classic, try the Single Malt Whisky which is aged in Maker’s Mark bourbon barrels and finished in Tokay barrels; it’s sweet and balanced with flavours of vanilla, cream, and baking spices.
Established in: 2011
Founders: Bill and Alison McHenry
Location: Mount Arthur, Tasmania
Notable expressions: Single Malt Whisky, Peated Single Malt Whisky
FAQ
Tasmania is the most prodigious whisky state in Australia (akin to the Highlands in Scotland), with its maritime climate (hot summers with long days, and cold winters with very short days), plentiful barley fields (and ideal growing conditions), and some of the purest water in the world making for the perfect locale to produce whisky. It’s closely followed by Victoria.
The most well-known Australian whiskies on an international scale are Sullivans Cove for its award-winning French Oak Single Malt and Lark Distillery.
Scotch refers to whisky exclusively distilled and matured in Scotland; check out the best Scotch whisky brands here. Australia is home to many worthy homegrown whisky brands, including Lark, Sullivans Cove, Starward, Hellyer’s Road, Archie Rose, Limeburners, and The Gospel.
In Australia, it’s spelled ‘whisky’ (without an ‘e’), just like in Japan and Scotland. Notable exceptions include brands that are inspired by American whiskeys, including The Gospel and Whipper Snapper; both of which use the spelling ‘whiskey’ (as is standard in America and Ireland).
Alternatives to Australian whisky
Sipped them all already? Try these.
- The best Scotch whisky brands
- The best Japanese whisky brands
- The best Irish whiskey brands
- The best American whiskey brands
Words by T. Angel
Feature image courtesy of Samuel Shelley for Lark
