10 Best Australian Whisky Distilleries: From Tasmania to the Mainland

Australia’s whisky scene is booming and continues to delight whisky lovers from around the world, transforming from an underdog story into a global powerhouse. It all started as a bit of a wild idea in Tasmania, but now, Australian whisky has become an industry that stands head-to-head with Scotland’s old legends. Fast-forward to 2026, and Australian distillers aren’t just competing, they’re setting the pace, pushing boundaries with fresh ideas, top-notch quality, and bottles that really capture the ground they come from.

Think about it. Down in Tasmania, the distilleries work with misty forests and cool breezes, while over on the mainland, some distillers harness the hot Aussie sun. No matter where they’re based, these makers pour the country’s character into every bottle. Some are playing with native plants, others are finding smarter, greener ways to work, and plenty of them are tossing out the rule book about what whisky’s supposed to be. The result? You get everything from smoky, traditional single malts to wild new creations that don’t fit any mould.

Whether you're a seasoned whisky connoisseur or just want to buy whisky online in Australia, these top 10 whisky distilleries represent the standard of Australian whisky craftsmanship. Each brings something unique to the glass, from award-winning classic expressions to experimental releases that redefine the Australian spirits category. Let's explore the distilleries that have everyone talking in 2026.

1. Sullivans Cove Distillery

Sullivans Cove still sets the bar for Australian whisky, and honestly, their reputation just keeps climbing. Tucked away in Cambridge, right outside Hobart, this distillery put Aussie whisky on the map when their French Oak cask won World’s Best Single Malt back in 2014. Fast forward to 2026, and they’re still rolling out single cask releases that really let the purity of Tasmanian ingredients and the know-how of their distillers shine. People chase after their American Oak and French Oak bottlings; they’re snapshots of Tasmania, bottled up and ready to surprise you every time. So if you are heading to buy Tasmanian whisky online, this brand is the way to go.

2. Lark Distillery

Bill Lark didn’t just start a distillery; he kicked off a whole movement. Folks call him the godfather of modern Australian whisky for a reason. Lark Distillery’s been at it since 1992, always sticking to Tasmanian barley and pure Mount Wellington water. The result? A whisky that’s smooth, approachable, and, honestly, a bit addictive. They’ve racked up international awards, sure, but what really stands out is their cellar door in Hobart. Whisky fans flock there for rare releases and tastings, and there’s always something new happening with their cask finishes and flavour experiments.

3. Starward Distillery

Starward, over in Melbourne, has shaken things up by leaning into Australia’s wild weather and its winemaking roots. Their Nova whisky, aged only in local red wine barrels, bursts with fruit, nothing like the old-school stuff. Two-Fold and Solera show they’re not afraid to try new things, but they never let quality slip. The distillery’s right in Port Melbourne, so it’s easy for city-dwellers to get a taste. The cellar door is lively, with tours and cocktails that draw in curious newcomers and die-hard fans alike.

4. Overeem Distillery

Casey Overeem’s attention to the smallest details has secured his spot among the best in Australia when it comes to premium whisky. Working out of Hobart, Overeem puts out small-batch whiskies that vanish from shelves in no time. Their Sherry Cask and Port Cask bottlings are a masterclass in getting the most out of their barrels, rich, layered, and up there with the best from Scotland or Japan. These days, Overeem whiskies have become ultra-collectable, and prices on the secondary market show just how much people want them.

5. Hellyers Road Distillery

Hellyers Road is one of Tasmania’s bigger players, but they don’t let size get in the way of quality. Up in Burnie, on the north coast, they’ve been making award-winning whisky since 1999. Their Original is a go-to for value, but they also take risks with limited runs, like their Pinot Noir Finish. Beyond the whisky itself, they’re big on sustainability and backing local farmers, which has earned them plenty of respect. If you want to really dig into whisky knowledge, their visitor centre is one of the best places to do it in Australia. And if you are going to buy Tasmanian whisky online or run to your nearest bottle shop, this one distillery should be on your top priority.

6. Archie Rose Distillery

Archie Rose in Sydney isn’t just another city distillery, it’s right at the heart of Australia’s craft spirits movement. Most folks know them for their gin and vodka, but their whisky is where things get really interesting. Their Signature Single Malt shows off local Australian barley and gets its character from French oak barrels. Then there’s the Rye Malt Whisky, which takes some bold risks with its choice of grains. The place itself, tucked away in Rosebery, has turned into a real hotspot. People swing by not just for a drink but for workshops, cocktail classes, and those special whisky drops that always seem to light up Instagram.

7. Belgrove Distillery

Down in Kempton, Tasmania, Peter Bignell’s Belgrove Distillery takes the “grain to glass” idea about as far as you can go. Everything happens on site. They grow the grain, distill, and bottle all in one spot. That kind of focus brings out flavours you just don’t find anywhere else. Belgrove doesn’t shy away from the weird and wonderful either, experimental batches using old-school grain varieties keep collectors coming back, eager for something that breaks the mould.

8. Bakery Hill Distillery

Over in Victoria, Bakery Hill Distillery is all about proving that mainland Australia can hold its own against Tasmania’s whisky scene. David Baker kicked things off in Melbourne’s North Balwyn back in the late ’90s, and he’s stuck with a hands-on, small-batch approach ever since. Their Classic Malt and Peated Malt have picked up plenty of awards, thanks to a careful mix of Scottish tradition and local flair. They use small copper pot stills, select their casks with care, and it shows, especially in those punchy, limited cask strength releases that collectors love to chase.

9. Limeburners Distillery

Then there’s Great Southern Distilling Company, way over in Albany, Western Australia. They’re the folks behind Limeburners, a single malt that’s put the West Coast on the whisky map. The distillery sits in a spot blessed with cool ocean breezes and some of the cleanest water you’ll find anywhere, and that makes a real difference. Their main Single Malt Australian Whisky has a loyal following, easy to enjoy but never boring. If you want something deeper, their Darkest Winter, aged in Australian port casks, really delivers. They stick to 100% Australian ingredients and aren’t afraid to experiment with how they age their spirits, which keeps Limeburners in the conversation nationally.

10. Callington Mill Distillery

Finally, there’s Callington Mill Distillery in Oatlands, Tasmania. It runs out of an old flour mill, which gives the place plenty of charm, and some practical benefits, too. They blend old-world atmosphere with some pretty modern distilling techniques. Their Old Kempton range shows they know their way around wood and maturation, with everything from gentle, unpeated malts to big, smoky drams that could stand up to anything out of Islay. Because they work in small batches, they can pay close attention to every detail, and you can taste it. Their experimental cask finishes catch the eye of serious collectors, while the core range is a great entry point for anyone curious about what Australian whisky has to offer.

Discover Australian Whisky Excellence at LiquorLoot

This isn’t just hype, Australian whisky really has thrived. These ten distilleries are leading the charge, turning out bottles that belong on any serious collector’s shelf. Some are Tasmania’s trailblazers, others are shaking things up on the mainland, but all of them are making whiskies that can stand tall next to the best from Scotland, Japan, or the US. Still, you’ll always taste something unmistakably Australian.

Maybe Sullivans Cove’s famous single malts catch your eye, or you’re curious about Starward’s experiments with wine casks, or you want to see what Bakery Hill is up to on the mainland. Honestly, there’s never been a better time to dive into Australian whisky. These distilleries aren’t just about making good spirits; they’re about pushing limits, embracing local flavours, and carving their own path.

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