For many locals, the thought of seeing the site come back to life was reason enough to celebrate. But there was just one small catch: John had no experience in distilling spirits. “Never [did he think it would be a field he would dabble in]. I’m still trying to get my palate around the whisky, but I’m getting better,” he says with a smile. “But it’s exciting, anything new and business wise is exciting. A lot of learning but it’s been an enjoyable journey so far, hectic that’s for sure.” Fortunately, John knew exactly where to turn. “As long as you put the right people around you I think you will be all right and I’ve got a really good distiller who I know well, we’ve got a good relationship. So that was a key and he’s got distilling down pat. He knows what to do, he knows the property already as he’d worked here before. In terms of distilling, I’m very confident that he’s going to do a great job and that’s one less thing for me to worry about.” While the distillery operations were left in capable hands, the couple tackled the task of making the property visitor ready. That meant everything from new decks and pathways to a battle with some persistent possums who had attempted to make a home of their own. The main homestead needed a
lot of work, while for the other houses it more just a bit of TLC, fixing up all the little things that if you don’t live in a house for a period of time – guttering, wiring, plastering, a bit of painting – need attention. Thankfully, despite no use since the collapse of Nant, the distillery itself was “in really good nick”, which didn’t take too much to get going. “That [the distillery] hasn’t been operating so one of the drivers was also to get it up and going for the community, just to have another venue, another place to go . ” - John Ramsay The Ramsay’s are keenly aware that the site’s history could have potentially been a double- edged sword. While its name once carried prestige, it also became mired in controversy after investors lost money under the previous ownership. But John is confident under the Clyde Mill banner, a new chapter can be written. “I actually had no concerns about that, whether that’s right or wrong. I feel for the people who lost money, that was terrible and a really big shame and it should never have
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Tasmanian Hospitality Review August/September Edition
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