The fifth instalment in our annual Winter Solstice series celebrates the shortest day and longest night of the year

Inspired by the beauty of the Tasmanian winter, Winter Solstice 5 is crafted using peated malt and matured in a combination of ex-Topaque and ex-Tawny casks.

This limited-edition release brings together rich fortified wine influence and warming peat smoke, resulting in a bold and expressive Tasmanian single malt with depth, balance and character.

A whisky made for winter

Inviting and complex, Winter Solstice 5 opens with notes of dark chocolate, toasted oak and dried apricot. Layers of honeyed stone fruits, sultanas and gentle spice unfold across the palate, balanced by earthy peat smoke and a long warming finish.

Bottled at 48% ABV and limited to just 210 bottles, this special release is available now online and at Hangar 17.

Whether enjoyed with friends over a winter meal or added to a growing collection, Winter Solstice 5 is a fitting tribute to Tasmania’s longest night.

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Tasmanian Whisky Week

Bookings are now open for Tasmanian Whisky Week 2026, and we’re excited to once again be part of this incredible celebration of Tasmanian whisky.

This year you’ll find us at:

Boilermaker North at Saint John, Launceston
The Northern Distillery Tour
Meet the Maker, Hobart
The Tasmanian Whisky Showcase at Princes Wharf No. 1, Hobart

Whether you’re joining us for a whisky and beer pairing, exploring northern Tasmania’s distilleries, sharing a dram with Tasmania’s distillers over dinner, or discovering the latest releases at the flagship Whisky Showcase, we’d love to see you there.

View the full program and secure your tickets today.

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Whisky for Wings at Hangar 17

We were proud to host the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania at Launceston Distillery for a special fundraising evening in support of their next chapter.

With construction now well underway on RFDS Tasmania’s new Launceston Airport base, the event was a chance to celebrate the future of this vital service while honouring its remarkable history. Held inside Hangar 17, Tasmania’s oldest aviation building, the evening also coincided with Flying Doctor Day, commemorating the first flying doctor flight in Australia 98 years ago.

With great company, exceptional Tasmanian whisky, and a shared appreciation for aviation history, it was a memorable night supporting the important work of RFDS Tasmania.

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The wait is almost over

Winter Solstice 5 lands on 21 June 2026.

The bold, warming character this limited release is known for returns, with this year’s expression revealing smoky layers of fruit, peat and sweet honeyed richness.

Mark your calendar, more details coming soon.

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Over the past three decades, Tasmania has emerged as one of the most respected whisky regions in the world. Once a quiet newcomer, the island is now internationally recognised for producing high quality Tasmanian single malt whisky that stands alongside some of the most celebrated whisky regions globally.

Today, whisky lovers travel to Tasmania to explore its distilleries, discover new expressions, and experience the unique character that defines whisky made on the island.

What makes Tasmanian whisky different

Tasmania offers a combination of natural conditions that are ideal for producing whisky.

The island’s cool maritime climate helps whisky mature slowly and evenly in oak casks. Seasonal temperature changes encourage the spirit to interact with the wood, developing depth and complexity while preserving delicate flavours.

Tasmania is also known for its clean air and pure water sources. Distilleries often use local rainfall or river water during production, contributing to the clarity and balance found in many Tasmanian whiskies.

These natural advantages help create a spirit that is both refined and expressive.

The craft behind Tasmanian single malt

Most Tasmanian distilleries specialise in single malt whisky. This means the whisky is produced from malted barley and distilled at a single distillery using traditional copper pot stills.

Many producers focus on small batch production, allowing distillers to carefully manage each step of the process. From fermentation through to distillation and maturation, the emphasis is on quality, character and craftsmanship.

Tasmania’s distilling community is also known for experimentation, often using a variety of oak casks that previously held fortified wine, Bourbon or other spirits.

The influence of cask maturation

Oak casks play a major role in shaping the flavour of Tasmanian single malt whisky. Different types of oak and previous cask contents influence how the spirit evolves during maturation.

Ex-Bourbon American oak can bring notes of vanilla, caramel and gentle spice. French oak casks that previously held fortified wines can introduce richer flavours such as dried fruit, chocolate and warm spice.

These casks allow Tasmanian distillers to produce a diverse range of whisky styles, each reflecting the choices made during maturation.

Exploring the Tasmanian Whisky Trail

Tasmania is now home to a growing number of distilleries spread across the island. Together they form the Tasmanian Whisky Trail, a popular journey for visitors wanting to experience the state’s whisky culture.

The trail connects cellar doors and distilleries across regions including the north, south and east coast of Tasmania. Visitors can meet the distillers, learn about the whisky making process, and taste expressions that reflect different approaches to production.

For many travellers, exploring Tasmanian whisky has become an essential part of visiting the island.

Discover Tasmanian whisky at Launceston Distillery

At Launceston Distillery, our Tasmanian single malt whisky is distilled and matured at Hangar 17 using Tasmanian barley and pure South Esk River water.

Each expression is crafted using traditional methods and carefully selected oak casks to create whiskies with depth, character and balance.

Visitors can experience the process through guided tours and tastings at the distillery, or explore the range of Tasmanian single malt whiskies available online.

Tasmania’s reputation as a whisky destination continues to grow, but the best way to experience it is still by tasting the whisky where it is made.

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Launceston Distillery is pleased to announce the return of its Old Fashioned Whisky Cocktail, a refined bottled cocktail crafted with our Tasmanian single malt whisky and inspired by one of the world’s most enduring classics.

The Old Fashioned has long been celebrated for its elegant balance of sweet, bitter, and strong flavours. Our interpretation brings that same balance to a ready-to-pour format, using Launceston Distillery single malt drawn from a marriage of our Tawny Cask Matured and Bourbon Cask Matured whiskies.

The result is a smooth and expressive cocktail that showcases the character of our whisky while remaining true to the spirit of the original serve.

A refined balance of flavour

This special release offers inviting notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak, complemented by gentle sweetness and the aromatic spice of bitters. Together, these elements create a harmonious and warming drinking experience.

Simply pour over ice and garnish with an orange peel to enjoy a cocktail that feels both timeless and effortlessly refined.

Each bottle contains:

• 500ml bottle
• 32.8% ABV
• Approximately 13 standard drinks

Designed to be shared and savoured, the Old Fashioned Whisky Cocktail captures the character of a classic bar serve while reflecting the craftsmanship of whisky made at Hangar 17.

Whether enjoyed at home or given as a gift, it is a reminder that sometimes the simplest cocktails are also the most enduring.

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Launceston Distillery is proud to be a partner of the Glover Prize, celebrating contemporary artists who capture the beauty and essence of Tasmania’s landscapes. Named after John Glover, one of Australia’s most significant landscape painters, the prize is a highlight of the Australian art calendar.

The 2026 Glover Prize exhibition runs from 7–15 March in Evandale, showcasing stunning interpretations of Tasmania’s wild and diverse scenery.

Glover Prize Exhibition
Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 March 2026
Falls Park Pavilion, Evandale

www.johnglover.com.au

We’re thrilled to support this celebration of creativity in our community.

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We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from the team at Launceston Distillery. At this year’s Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, we were honoured to receive four medals – including two prestigious golds – placing our Tasmanian single malt whisky among the world’s best.

Gold – Cask Strength Bourbon Cask Matured Single Malt
Gold – Peated Single Malt
Silver – Apera Cask Matured Single Malt
Silver – Bourbon Cask Matured Single Malt

The Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards is one of the most respected global competitions in the industry. With entries submitted from distilleries around the world, the awards are judged by a panel of internationally recognised experts who set the benchmark for quality, innovation and craftsmanship.

To have four of our expressions recognised at this level is a proud moment for our team.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication and talent of our small but passionate crew,” said Head Distiller Chris Condon. “Every bottle we produce reflects our commitment to quality and the character of Tasmania. It’s an honour to see that recognised on an international stage.”

Our Cask Strength Bourbon Cask Matured Single Malt impressed judges with its bold complexity and balance, while our Peated Single Malt was celebrated for its smoky richness and depth – both earning golds in their respective categories.

Each of these whiskies is crafted at Hangar 17, where we embrace traditional methods and a hands-on approach to create spirits that speak of time, place and precision.

Melbourne Royal Senior Manager, Food and Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said the competition continues to elevate the global spirits scene.

“Beyond winning a coveted Melbourne Royal medal or trophy, entrants in the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards receive valuable feedback from our expert judges, gain international recognition, and connect with a global network of distillers,” she said.

We’re incredibly grateful to our supporters, visitors and whisky lovers who continue to champion local craft producers. Awards like these give us momentum – but it’s your support that makes it all possible.

If you haven’t yet tried our award-winning releases, now’s the perfect time to experience them for yourself. Visit us at Hangar 17 or explore the range online.

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The Winter Solstice marks the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. At this time of the year in Tasmania, we celebrate our beautiful winters and embrace the cold. To mark this occasion, we present our annual Winter Solstice release.

We’re thrilled to announce the release of our Winter Solstice whisky today, Saturday 21 June.

This year’s release is our boldest yet. Rich and intensely peated, this limited-edition whisky leads with a sweet and spicy smokiness, unfolding into notes of citrus, dark fruit, chocolate and tea. Matured in ex-bourbon American oak and ex-tawny French oak casks, and bottled at 46% ABV, it’s made for long, dark nights and fireside sipping.

COLOUR: Dark golden.
NOSE: A sweet and spicy smokiness reminiscent of Lapsang Souchong tea, orange zest, cigars and dark chocolate.
PALATE: Intense and concentrated with dark chocolate, black tea, dried plums, cumquat, blood orange, dark cherries, vanilla, bergamot and caramel.
FINISH: The harmonious complexity on the palate is wrapped up in an earthy, peaty smoke with elegant lingering fruity and vanilla notes.
MATURATION: A marriage of ex-Bourbon American oak and ex-Tawny French oak casks.

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We’re excited to share that our Single Malt Tawny Cask Matured whisky has been awarded 3 Stars at the Spirit of Craft Awards, placing it among the crème de la crème of world spirits. We were up against entries from across Australia and seven other countries, making this recognition even more special.

This award places us in platinum status, with only one other spirit receiving the same honour. We were also awarded the Green Ring for sustainability, highlighting our commitment to crafting exceptional whisky with care for the environment.

Matured in French Oak tawny casks, this release offers a smooth, rich mouthfeel with notes of dark chocolate, berries, toffee and Christmas pudding.

A huge thank you to our dedicated team and our supporters. This one’s for you, Tassie.

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We had a special visitor at Launceston Distillery this week – Supercars driver Cody McKay! Cody is in town for the Supercars weekend and stopped by to check out our historic hangar and see what we’ve been working on.

While he was here, Cody filmed a short video for us, which you can watch below. It’s a great glimpse into his visit and the spirit of the distillery.

To celebrate the Supercars weekend, we have special opening hours:
Saturday 9am – 5pm
Sunday 9am – 5pm

If you’re heading to the track or just exploring northern Tasmania, we’d love for you to stop in, enjoy a tasting, and experience a piece of Tasmanian whisky history.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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Have you spotted the 2025 Discover Tasmania Off Season campaign?

This year, Chris shares what makes winter at the distillery so special – from barley to bottle, there’s a certain magic in slowing down.

To mark the season, we’re offering a limited ‘fill your own 100ml Off Season cask‘ experience – draw whisky straight from the barrel and take home something uniquely yours.

Read more about our story and our Off Season offer.

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