The Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Association (TWSA) proudly awarded Tasmanian Whisky pioneers, Bill and Lyn Lark, Life Membership to the TWSA on Friday, 25 March 2022. This was presented at the TWSA state dinner in front of peers and friends by Patrick Maguire.
Bill and Lyn re-wrote distillery law, over turning archaic laws from the Distillation Prohibition Act of 1839 and 1901 Distillation Act that dictated that distilling could only occur in large volumes. In 1982 Bill and Lyn received the first license and became the first distillery in Tasmania since 1839.
Photo credit: Al Bett Photography
“We had plenty of help from whisky-makers in Scotland, but ultimately, we had to go through it and learn it for ourselves. We had to settle on our own style of whisky, which became our well-known Classic Cask style. To this day, it’s still my favourite whisky.”
The Tasmanian whisky-maker — Berry Bros. & Rudd Wine Blog (bbr.com)
By Issariya Morgan, August 2021
As Lark Distillery became more established and successful, it inspired other budding whisky-makers to set up their own distilleries in Tasmania.
“Our eagerness to help each other has really been the basis of our industry for the last 30 years. It’s a close-knit community, just like in Scotland. I’ve visited most of the distilleries and I feel as if I’m swept up in one big family. It’s a similar sort of feeling.”
The Tasmanian whisky-maker — Berry Bros. & Rudd Wine Blog (bbr.com)
By Issariya Morgan, August 2021