FEATURE OLD KEMPTON DISTILLERY
THA MEMBERSHIP MANAGER NICK RONEY RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH EMMA GILLIGAN FROM OLD KEMPTON DISTILLERY TO TALK ABOUT ALL THINGS WHISKY. HERE’S WHAT EMMA HAD TO SAY!
What makes whisky in Tasmania, and specifically near you in Kempton, so special? We are so lucky in Tasmania, we have perfect conditions to create wonderful whisky. Our water is soft and incredibly pure making it perfect to distil and blend with. The quality of barley grown around Tasmania is second to none, it is actually quite difficult to grow barley for malting if it’s not done correctly you’ll just end up with animal feed. Although we don’t use peat yet, distilleries like Lark and Belgrove have access to some very unique peat giving Tasmanian peated whiskies a very distinct, soft, botanic flavour. This creates a very different character to the peated whiskies from our friends over in Scotland. Kempton and the entire Southern Midlands and Midlands region offers an ideal environment for whisky maturation. The cooler months allow for slower barrel
What is your role with Tasmanian Whisky Week? I work with the Tasmanian Whisky Week committee to create and manage events. It’s such an exciting job collaborating with businesses in the spirits industry and tourism operators. What is your role with Old Kempton Distillery? I am a Manager at Old Kempton Distillery. My responsibilities are so diverse, but that’s what I love about it. Thinking of your local area, what would you recommend visitors do or see while they are there? There are some amazing distilleries scattered all along the Heritage Highway, you can make your own whisky trail. Shene Estate Distillery is one not to miss, their road side stall is open on weekends. You can get yourself a bottle of their double gold winning Poltergeist Gin. Old Kempton Distillery is a must. Set up in Dysart House, the architecture alone makes it worth a visit, let alone the whiskies and spirits available to sample. Just up the road from Old Kempton Distillery you’ll find Belgrove Distillery. If you’re looking for something a bit different I would recommend a visit, plus their Coffee Liqueur is one of my absolute favourites. If you want to take a break from whiskies (because sometimes you do) I always recommend guests drop in and visit Bonorong Park. The work they do there is incredible, plus you get to feed kangaroos! A visit to Ross and Oatlands is a must as well, some of the largest colonial sandstone towns in Australia and are truly beautiful.
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