Collection: Lark Distillery | Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky

Lark Distillery — Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky

Lark Distillery is the most historically significant whisky producer in Australia — the distillery that single-handedly revived the Australian whisky industry and inspired a generation of distillers to follow. Established in 1992 by Bill Lark, widely known as the Godfather of Australian Whisky, Lark holds the distinction of being the first licensed distillery in Tasmania since the 1830s, having successfully lobbied the Australian government to change legislation that had prohibited small-scale distilling for over 150 years.

Why Lark Distillery Matters

Without Bill Lark's vision and determination, the extraordinary Australian whisky industry that exists today would not exist in its current form. His successful lobbying of the government opened the door for every craft distillery that has followed, and his willingness to share knowledge and technique with other aspiring distillers has shaped the entire category. Lark Distillery is not simply a producer — it is the origin point of Australian single malt whisky.

The Bill Lark Story

The story begins with a fishing trip. In the late 1980s, Bill Lark was fly fishing in the Tasmanian highlands when he recognised that the island had everything required to produce world-class whisky — clean highland water, locally grown barley, and a cool maritime climate ideal for maturation — yet there was not a single licensed distillery operating in the state. The reason was the Distillation Act of 1901, a piece of colonial-era legislation that effectively prohibited small-scale distilling in Australia.

Bill Lark spent years lobbying the Australian government to change this legislation. In 1992 he succeeded, obtaining the first distiller's licence issued in Tasmania since the 1830s and establishing Lark Distillery in Hobart. The distillery's first whisky was released in 1998 to immediate international recognition, demonstrating that Australia was capable of producing world-class single malt.

Production Philosophy

Lark's production philosophy is built on Tasmanian ingredients, small-batch craftsmanship, and the use of small barrels for maturation. The distillery uses locally grown Tasmanian barley — both unpeated and peated — and pure highland water, ensuring every bottle is a genuine expression of Tasmanian terroir.

The use of small 100-litre casks rather than the larger hogsheads or butts used by most Scotch distilleries is one of Lark's most distinctive production choices. Small barrels have a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, accelerating maturation and imparting greater oak character and complexity in a shorter period. Combined with Tasmania's cool maritime climate, this approach produces whiskies of extraordinary depth and character.

Lark's cask programme is among the most diverse in Australian whisky, encompassing American oak ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, port, and a range of experimental cask types — including hand-seasoned chinotto citrus casks and Tasmanian peat-smoked malt — that have produced some of the most original releases in the range.

The Range

Classic Cask — Lark's most awarded single malt and the definitive expression of the house style. Citrus, butterscotch and a hint of Tasmanian peat. The benchmark for Australian single malt.

Tasmanian Peated — Produced using Lark's own Tasmanian peat bog and a distinctive post-malt smoking process. Earthy peat, dark chocolate and roasted coffee — a peated Tasmanian whisky of genuine originality. Part of The Lark Signature Collection, signed by Master Blender Chris Thomson.

Chinotto Citrus Cask — Matured in hand-seasoned chinotto citrus casks. Candied citrus, bittersweet complexity and vivacious character — one of the most innovative expressions in the range.

Symphony Nº1 Blended Malt — The first blended malt from the House of Lark, combining American oak bourbon, sherry and port cask whiskies into a creamy, fruit-forward expression of considerable complexity.

Dark Lark — The annual Special Edition series from the Lark Luxury portfolio. Fortified cask maturation, dark fruit and layered complexity. Now in its sixth year with No.166, Dark Lark has become one of the most anticipated releases in the Australian whisky calendar.

Serving

All Lark whiskies are best enjoyed neat in a Glencairn glass at room temperature. Allow five to ten minutes to open before nosing, and add a few drops of still water if desired to release additional aromatic complexity. The Classic Cask and Symphony Nº1 are also excellent over a single large ice cube.