Launceston Distillery Tawny

The Distillation Prohibition Act of 1839 is a bit interesting in itself. The Act is primarily attributed to the [then] Governor of Tasmania’s wife, Lady Jane Franklin’s hatred of drunkeness. Her (in)famous quote “I would prefer barley be fed to pigs than it be used to turn men into swine” convinced her husband – Governor John Franklin – to outlaw the distillation of spirits in 1839. Thus the 16 or so legal distilleries in Tasmania at the time were forced to close up shop. And so it stayed for around 150 years until Bill Lark famously went trout fishing, noticed how fantastic the climate and natural resources of Tassy matched traditional whisky producing areas and decided to have a crack at overturning the law.

Since the Act was overturned in 1992, as we all know, Tasmania’s whisky industry has gone from strength to strength winning countless international awards and becoming world famous for it’s whisky.

Situated at Launceston Airport, Launceston Distillery is located in historic Hanger 17. This hangar is Tasmania’s oldest aviation building still standing. Built originally by Tasmanian Aerial Services in 1933 – hangar 17 expanded over the years and host to some of the countries pivotal aviation companies – Tasmanian Aerial Services became ANA (Australian National Airlines) which later became Ansett. Hangar 17 could rightfully be said to be one of the homes of commercial aviation in Australia and pivotal in the development of our nation’s domestic airlines.

In contrast to the building it occupies – Launceston Distillery is a very young business. Conversion of Hangar 17 into the distillery was done in 2015. It uses all Tasmanian ingredients in it’s whisky production – even the stills are Tasmanian made. Of course, it uses Tasmanian coopered casks as well.