Tasmania’s Liquid Gold: A New Chapter in Whisky Craft

From dairy origins to your table; an exceptional glass every time

“There’s a pretty unusual origin story for this business,” says Derek Charge, Managing Director of Hellyers Road Distillery. That’s putting it modestly. While many whisky makers tout tradition dating back to the 1800s or the prestige of Scottish heritage, Hellyers Road was born not from distilling lineage but from the dairy farms of Tasmania.

Founded in 1957 as a milk cooperative in the remote northwest corner of the island, Hellyers Road was created by local dairy farmers to bottle and distribute milk. It ran as such for decades. Then, in the mid-1990s—well before Australia had established a reputation for whisky—the cooperative made a bold, imaginative leap: to try their hand at single malt whisky production.

“In 1997, they decided to build a whisky distillery,” Charge explains. “At the time, there was no such thing as an Australian whisky industry. There were a couple of other whisky brands operating, but nothing like the number we have today.

Its decision was pioneering, audacious—and transformative. The cooperative built what would become the largest whisky distillery in Australia for the next two decades. It remains the oldest operating whisky distillery in the country. In 2019, Hellyers Road completely exited the milk business, becoming a dedicated single malt whisky company driven by craft, provenance, and ambition.

“They were looking for opportunities to diversify,” Charge says. “They thought, ‘We already know how to deal with liquids, we know how to put things in bottles.’ They considered water and fruit juice… but once they latched onto the idea of producing whisky, there was no turning back.”

What began as an act of rural ingenuity has since evolved into a premium, internationally recognized whisky brand. Even more impressively, the business has retained its roots: second, third, and even fourth-generation descendants of the original dairy farmers still control 85% of the company.

A natural whisky haven

If the story of its founding wasn’t unique enough, Hellyers Road also benefits from a strikingly distinctive location.

“Tasmania is about the same size as Scotland, and we sit right on the windward edge of the Southern Ocean,” Charge explains. “Westward, it is  about 20,000 kilometers to the nearest land – Patagonia. That vast expanse of the world’s wildest ocean means we are bathed – and buffeted – by air that has been measured time and time again as the cleanest in the world.”

This environmental purity isn’t just poetic—it’s practical. The island’s climate is cool, stable, and maritime, with temperatures rarely dipping below zero or exceeding 25°C. For whisky maturation, this means gentle aging without dramatic temperature swings, allowing flavors to evolve gracefully over time.

“Everything about the climate supports the production of quality whisky,” Charge adds. “And then there’s the water—rain that has crossed 20,000 kilometers of the ocean before falling on us. It’s about as pure as you can get.”

The company also sources its barley locally, reinforcing its commitment to Tasmanian ingredients. From grain to glass, Hellyers Road leans into its provenance as a brand advantage—not just a romantic narrative.

Rewriting the rules of distilling

Hellyers Road didn’t just follow the playbook for distilling—quite the opposite.

“When the founders built the distillery, they didn’t reference Scotland, Kentucky, or even other Tasmanian distilleries,” Charge says. They designed it themselves and built something truly unique.

Key among those innovations are the stills. “We have enormous stills,” Charge notes. “Our wash still is 60,000 liters—that’s about twice the size of the largest stills in Scotland. Our production process is lengthy and slow, which affects the flavor profile of the spirit.

The result? It is a whisky unlike any other—incredibly recognizable for its tropical notes and complexity. At major events like Whisky Live in Paris, the feedback is consistent: this is not just another Scotch imitator or a bourbon cousin. It’s Hellyers Road, distinctly Tasmanian.

“There’s a whole range of factors—from our distillation process to our maturation practices—that give our whisky those unique characteristics,” Charge says.

Aged to perfection

Hellyers Road is best known for its aged whiskies—an area where it holds a clear competitive edge.

“We hold more than 90% of all aged Australian whisky, by which I mean 18 years or older,” Charge reveals. “That comes back to the original investment. Because they started in the ’90s, they were laying down whisky long before anyone else was considering age statements.

Among the standouts are their 21- and 22-year-old whiskies, typically matured in American oak or sherry casks. One particularly rare release—a 20-year-old collaboration with the U.S. luxury brand Rare Hare—sells for $1,000 USD per bottle and has achieved strong international sales.

Yet their most popular expression is the Double Cask, a rich and balanced whisky that captures the essence of Hellyers Road’s aging process and craftsmanship.

Immersive whisky experiences

Beyond bottling premium spirits, Hellyers Road has become a key tourism draw in northwest Tasmania. The distillery’s visitor experience guided whisky tours that give guests an immersive look behind the scenes.

“Our staff or distillers take visitors through a full explanation of how whisky is made,” Charge says. “But the real highlight is being able to bottle your whisky—straight from the cask.”

That’s no marketing gimmick. Visitors sit in front of a barrel and draw a bottle of unfiltered whisky—complete with barrel char—into a personalized bottle. And we’re not talking about a young spirit. “You can bottle your own 21-year-old whisky. That’s probably unmatched anywhere else in the world,” Charge notes.

Masterclasses and tasting events complement the offering, offering visitors in-depth exposure to the distilling and aging processes. “We love sharing information about our whiskies,” Charge says. That passion is evident in everything we do.

Crafted with patience and precision

In an industry where results take years, even decades, to manifest, growth must be approached with patience. Hellyers Road is steadily increasing production, laying down more whisky now than in the past—but always within the limits of its boutique, ultra-premium positioning.

“You can’t just turn up production when demand grows,” Charge says. What we decide to make today will only be ready in 7, 10, or 20 years from now. And what we have now is based on decisions made years ago. It requires an intergenerational mindset.”

The company is investing in new tour formats and elevated visitor experiences. On the product side, one innovation that’s capturing hearts and palates is its Tasmanian whisky cream liqueur.

“It’s made with fresh cream and single malt spirit—not dried cream like others,” Charge says. It’s tough to get that mix right and make it shelf-stable. But we pulled it off.”

The liqueur was recently named the World’s Best Cream Liqueur at the 2024 World Spirits Awards in London. It’s another example of how Hellyers Road’s dairy roots are still bearing fruit decades after the company left the milk trade behind.

Small team with big passion

With a staff of approximately 20, primarily based on-site, the Hellyers Road team embodies a commitment to craftsmanship. “Everyone here genuinely believes we can make the best whisky in the world, right here in Tasmania,” Charge says. “That authenticity, that passion, it builds a powerful sense of pride in the product.”

From distillers to hospitality staff, that shared belief system fuels the company culture and enhances every guest interaction and product decision.

Recognition that resonates

In recent years, Hellyers Road has become a fixture on the awards circuit, earning praise from critics and judges worldwide.

“We just had the results from the World Whisky Awards, which are essentially the Olympics of whisky,” Charge shares. “We were again the most awarded Australian distillery, receiving 11 medals overall, including four golds and three category wins, and our 21 Year Old Peat Cask Finish, won 2025’s Best Australian Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards.”   Their dominance and consistency in fine whisky is underlined by the fact this is the fourth time in the last seven years that Hellyers Road has won Best Australian Single Malt.

The accolades serve not just as validation for the team but as a critical tool for expanding global awareness—especially in key export markets across Europe, where Hellyers Road continues to build momentum.

Partnering with purpose

Collaborations, both local and international, also play a focal role in the company’s strategy. In Europe, Hellyers Road maintains a strong partnership with distributor La Maison du Whisky, with new exclusive releases set to launch soon.

Closer to home, they’ve partnered with premium hotels, bars, and iconic Tasmanian landmarks, such as Barnbougle Golf Course, celebrating anniversaries with special cask bottlings. These partnerships amplify brand visibility while reinforcing their status as Australia’s leading aged whisky brand.

Tasmania’s time to shine

Looking forward, Charge believes the entire Tasmanian whisky industry is poised to achieve global prominence.

“Even though we’ve been making whisky for over 28 years, the industry is still nascent,” he explains. “There are many distilleries here, but most are small and unknown outside of Tasmania.”

Charge envisions a future where Tasmania earns the same level of prestige as Japan in the whisky world, characterized by limited production, sought-after bottles, and near-mythical status.

“We’ll never have the volume of Scotland, but there’s no reason why we can’t have the same international kudos as Japan. The quality is there. The commitment is there.”

With its pioneering spirit, commitment to quality, and undeniable authenticity, Hellyers Road Distillery isn’t just shaping the future of Tasmanian whisky—it’s bottling its legacy.

At a Glance

Who: Hellyers Road Distillery

What: Australia’s oldest operating single malt whisky distillery, renowned for its aged whiskies and pure Tasmanian ingredients.

Where: Tasmania, Australia

Website: www.hellyersroaddistillery.com.au

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