Lark Distillery — The Godfather of Australian Whisky
Lark Distillery is the most historically significant and celebrated whisky distillery in Australia — the producer that single-handedly revived the Australian whisky industry and inspired a generation of distillers to follow in its footsteps. Established in 1992 by Bill Lark — widely known as the Godfather of Australian Whisky — Lark holds the extraordinary distinction of being the first licensed distillery in Tasmania since the 1830s, having successfully lobbied the Australian government to change the legislation that had prohibited small-scale distilling for over 150 years. Without Bill Lark's vision, determination, and the distillery he built in Hobart, the extraordinary Australian whisky industry that exists today would simply not exist.
History & The Bill Lark Story
The story of Lark Distillery begins with a fishing trip. In the late 1980s, Bill Lark was fly fishing in the highlands of Tasmania when he was struck by a realisation: the island had everything required to produce world-class whisky — clean, pure water from the highland lakes, 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 a piece of 19th-century legislation — the Distillation Act of 1901 — that effectively prohibited small-scale distilling in Australia, a legacy of the colonial government's attempts to suppress illicit spirit production.
Bill Lark spent years lobbying the Australian government to change this legislation, and 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, and the response from the international whisky community was immediate and extraordinary: here was a whisky of genuine quality, character, and originality that demonstrated beyond any doubt that Australia was capable of producing world-class single malt.
Bill Lark's achievement was not merely personal — it was transformative for the entire Australian spirits industry. His successful lobbying of the government opened the door for every craft distillery that has followed, and his willingness to share his knowledge, his techniques, and his passion with other aspiring distillers has earned him the title of Godfather of Australian Whisky — a recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the industry he created.
Today, Lark Distillery is led by Head Distiller and Master Blender Chris Thomson, whose creative vision and technical mastery have produced some of the most innovative and celebrated whiskies in the Lark range, including the Symphony Nº1 blended malt, the Chinotto Citrus Cask, and the Tasmanian Peated expression.
Production Philosophy
Lark Distillery's production philosophy is built on a commitment to Tasmanian ingredients, small-batch craftsmanship, and the use of small barrels for maturation. The distillery uses locally grown Tasmanian barley — including both unpeated and peated malt — and pure Tasmanian water from the island's highland lakes and rivers, ensuring that every bottle of Lark whisky is a genuine expression of Tasmanian terroir.
The use of small barrels — typically 100-litre casks rather than the 200-litre hogsheads or 500-litre butts used by most Scotch whisky distilleries — is one of Lark's most distinctive and important production choices. Small barrels have a higher surface-area-to-volume ratio than large casks, meaning that the spirit has greater contact with the wood per unit of volume, accelerating the maturation process and imparting greater oak character, complexity, and colour in a shorter period. Combined with Tasmania's cool, maritime climate — which moderates the maturation process and preserves the delicate fruit and floral character of the spirit — the small barrel approach produces whiskies of extraordinary complexity and character.
Lark's cask programme is one of the most diverse and innovative in the Australian whisky industry, encompassing American oak ex-bourbon casks, Oloroso sherry casks, port casks, and a range of experimental and innovative cask types — including hand-seasoned chinotto citrus casks and Tasmanian peat-smoked malt — that have produced some of the most original and celebrated whiskies in the range.
Our Range
Lark Classic Cask Single Malt 500mL — 43% ABV — Lark's most awarded single malt and the definitive expression of the Lark house style. Handcrafted at the Coal Valley Distillery, featuring the characteristic citrus and butterscotch of the Lark house style with a hint of Tasmanian peat. Golden syrup and vanilla on the nose with hints of oranges and grapefruit, plum pudding, Christmas cake, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sweet vanilla transforming into orange peel, butterscotch, cloves, nutmeg, and grapefruit on the palate. Butterscotch and citrus with a long, satisfying smoky finish. Best in Show by Country, London Spirits Competition 2019. Gold, London Spirits Competition 2019. Silver, World Whiskies Awards 2019. Silver, International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018, 2019 & 2020.
Lark Tasmanian Peated Single Malt 500mL — 46% ABV — A new frontier for Lark — a lightly peated single malt produced using the distillery's own Tasmanian peat bog and a distinctive post-malt smoking process: two tonnes of malted barley smoked with 100 kilograms of Lark's own peat over an extended period, imparting more chocolate and earthy roasted coffee notes than conventional peat-drying. Signed by Master Blender Chris Thomson as part of The Lark Signature Collection. Earthy peat intertwined with delicate floral character and sea spray on the nose. Floral peat developing amongst dark chocolate and oyster shell, with hints of coffee and marmalade. Ginger snap biscuit, sea spray, and subtle ash on the finish. A peated Tasmanian whisky of genuine originality and distinction.
Lark Chinotto Citrus Cask Single Malt 500mL — 44% ABV — One of the most innovative and distinctive expressions in the Lark range — a single malt matured in hand-seasoned chinotto citrus casks that impart a vivacious, sun-kissed character of candied citrus and bittersweet complexity. Luscious orange flavour paired with custard and meringue on the nose. Candied citrus peels, vibrant cola, and buttery malt developing towards soft orange custard with a dusting of cinnamon and flashes of zest and spice reminiscent of a lemon meringue pie. Vivacious and bright — best enjoyed neat or over ice.
Lark Symphony Nº1 Blended Malt 500mL — 40.2% ABV — The first blended malt from the House of Lark — a symphony of exceptional Tasmanian single malt whiskies, expertly woven by Head Distiller Chris Thomson from a complementary combination of American oak bourbon, sherry, and port casks. The complexity of American oak bourbon, the balance of sherry, and the heavier depth of port combine to form a creamy, oily melody of flavours — a malt whisky that is full of life from start to finish and carries the uncompromised signature of Lark Whisky. Fresh tropical aromas of mango and pineapple balanced with hints of vanilla and citrus on the nose. Rich fruit flavours of peaches and Tasmanian apples with toffee sweetness on the palate. A Tasmanian icon.
How to Enjoy Lark Whisky
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 outstanding over a single large ice cube, which slowly dilutes and opens the whisky's character. The Peated expression is best enjoyed neat to appreciate the full complexity of the Tasmanian peat character. The Chinotto Citrus Cask is outstanding neat or over ice — its vivacious citrus character makes it one of the most approachable and immediately enjoyable whiskies in the Lark range.
Explore our full Lark Distillery range below and discover why this Hobart distillery — founded by the Godfather of Australian Whisky, built on Tasmanian barley and highland water, and shaped by over three decades of innovation and craftsmanship — is producing some of the most celebrated and collected whiskies in the world.
