Distillery Tour and Guided Tasting

Step into Tasmania’s whisky story. Old Kempton Distillery combines a handsome 1842 house, a working distillery, and four spirit samples in a compact visit that is easy to fit into a drive near Hobart. I like the link between Dysart House’s past and the modern spirit-making operation, and I like that the tasting includes whisky, gin, and liqueurs made with Tasmanian ingredients.

The main consideration is timing. The tour begins at 1:30 pm, lasts about 90 minutes, and requires you to reach Kempton under your own steam. If your day is packed with stops, that fixed start time may take some planning.

Key points to know before you book

• The setting is part of the attraction: Old Kempton operates from the former coaching stables of Dysart House, built in 1842.
• Four samples are included: Your tasting covers four Old Kempton spirits, with whisky, gin, and liqueurs among the products made at the distillery.
• You see more than a tasting room: The guided visit explains the distilling process and the characteristics of the spirits.
• The tour is small enough for questions: A maximum of 20 people keeps this from feeling like a large bus-group stop.
• The visit takes about 90 minutes: The main distillery stop is listed as one hour, with the full tour and tasting lasting approximately one and a half hours.
• The price is reasonable for a specialist stop: At $32, the fee includes the guided tour and four alcoholic tastings, but not transport.

Why Dysart House makes this more than a cellar-door stop

Old Kempton Distillery is located at Dysart House in Green Ponds, a property dating from 1842. The distillery itself runs from the old coaching stables, giving the visit a clear sense of place before you even taste anything.

I like this arrangement because the building is not simply a backdrop added for atmosphere. The old house and stables are tied directly to the tour. You get an introduction to the property, then see how the distillery has operated there since 2015.

That mix gives the visit two layers. You learn about a historic Tasmanian building, then shift to a newer story about local spirit production. For anyone who enjoys old buildings but does not want a long formal history tour, the balance should work well.

The address is 26 Main Street, Kempton, Tasmania 7030. You start and finish at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, so the arrangement is simple once you arrive. There is no separate transfer between stops, which keeps the visit straightforward.

What happens during the 1:30 pm visit

The tour begins at 1:30 pm, and the activity returns you to the same meeting point. The listed distillery visit takes about an hour, while the complete experience is approximately 90 minutes. That leaves enough time for a proper explanation and tasting without turning the stop into a half-day commitment.

You first tour Dysart House and the distillery area. The guide explains how spirits are produced and discusses their characteristics. The supplied details do not give a step-by-step technical script, so I would not book this expecting a full production course. Instead, expect an accessible introduction that connects the building, the equipment, and the finished drinks.

The old coaching stables are the key setting. Seeing the working distillery in a converted historic space makes the process easier to place in context. You are not only hearing about a bottle on a shelf. You are visiting the place where Old Kempton has been producing its spirits since 2015.

The tour is guided and operates as a group experience. With no more than 20 people, it should be possible to hear the explanation and ask a question without competing with a crowd. Group size can vary below that limit, but the maximum gives you a useful idea of the scale.

The distilling lesson: whisky, gin, and liqueurs

Old Kempton produces several types of spirits, including single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs. The tour explains the distilling process and the traits that separate one style from another.

That matters because a tasting is more useful when you know what to look for. You can compare the drinks with some sense of purpose rather than simply deciding which one tastes strongest. The exact four samples are not specified, so you should not assume that every named spirit will appear in your session.

The use of 100 percent Tasmanian ingredients is another important part of the story. It gives the tasting a local focus and helps explain why this is more than a generic spirits stop. The experience is tied to Tasmania from the raw ingredients through to the finished bottles.

I would especially recommend paying attention during the explanation before the tasting. The guide’s comments about each spirit’s characteristics should give you a better way to compare the samples. If you are new to whisky or gin, this can make the tasting less intimidating.

The information provided does not identify the exact equipment, maturation periods, barrel types, or botanical recipes. That is useful to keep in mind. You will learn about the process, but you should not expect a detailed production tour covering every technical stage.

The four-spirit tasting

Four Old Kempton alcoholic samples are included in the price. That is the central value of the visit, especially for anyone who wants to compare the distillery’s work rather than taste only one product.

The selection may include examples from the distillery’s whisky, gin, and liqueur range, but the exact lineup is not given. I like that the tasting is broad enough to show different sides of the operation. A single malt whisky and a gin make very different impressions, and liqueurs add another style to the comparison.

This is a guided tasting rather than a free-for-all at the bar. The explanations about each spirit’s characteristics should help you understand what is in the glass. You can approach it as a small lesson in Tasmanian spirits, even if you have little previous tasting experience.

There is one practical point to remember: the samples are alcoholic beverages. The tour is not a good fit for anyone avoiding alcohol, and you should plan your onward journey with that in mind. The activity does not include private transportation, so you are responsible for getting to and from Kempton.

If you find a bottle you enjoy, the distillery setting gives you a natural chance to learn more about the producer. The provided information does not confirm purchase options or shipping arrangements, so ask on site if taking a bottle home matters to you.

What makes the guide important

A good guide can make a distillery visit either clear and memorable or rushed and technical. Here, one positive account specifically names John and praises his explanation of the process behind the handcrafted whisky, gin, and other liqueurs.

That detail is useful because it points to the strength of the experience: the human explanation. The machinery and old building give you something to look at, but the guide connects those pieces. If John is leading your session, you may find the tour particularly strong on the production story.

The experience is designed for a maximum of 20 people, which should help the guide keep the tasting personal enough for questions. It is still a group tour, not a private appointment, so you should expect a shared pace and a common explanation.

I would ask questions if you have them. The supplied material does not promise a private tasting or a custom flight, but the small-group limit gives you a fair chance to ask about the spirits, ingredients, or production method.

Is the $32 price good value?

At $32, the price includes the guided tour and four Old Kempton spirit tastings. For a specialist distillery visit lasting around 90 minutes, that is a fair price if you are already interested in Tasmanian whisky, gin, or liqueurs.

The value comes from the combination. You are paying for access to a historic property, an explanation of the distillery’s work, and four alcoholic samples. If you only want a quick drink, the tour may feel like more than you need. If you want context and comparison, the package makes better sense.

The price does not include private transportation. That is the main extra cost to consider, particularly if Kempton is not already part of your route. The meeting point is clear, but the tour does not arrange a pickup from Hobart or another Tasmanian town.

I would view this as a planned stop rather than an activity you can casually join from anywhere. If you are driving through the area and can reach the 1:30 pm start, the timing is manageable. If you need transport arranged for you, the $32 price does not cover that need.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend Old Kempton to you if you like small producers, historic buildings, and tastings with an explanation attached. It suits people who want to learn how spirits differ, not just order a drink and move on.

It also works well for a mixed-interest group. Someone fascinated by Tasmanian whisky can focus on the single malt, while another person may prefer gin or liqueurs. The building and local ingredients give non-experts something to enjoy too.

You do not need to be a spirits specialist. The tour is aimed at explaining the process and the character of the products, so beginners should have a clear entry point. The group format and 90-minute length also make it less demanding than a long technical workshop.

I would be more cautious if you dislike alcohol, have no interest in production methods, or need a flexible schedule. The four samples are a central part of the visit, and the start time is fixed. You also need to arrange your own transport.

The activity states that most people can participate and that service animals are allowed. It does not provide detailed information about every mobility feature of the historic property, so contact the provider directly if you have specific access needs.

Practical planning for your Kempton stop

Plan to arrive at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel before the 1:30 pm start. Your meeting point is 26 Main Street, Kempton TAS 7030, and the tour ends back there after the visit.

Your mobile ticket is accepted for the booking, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking. I would keep the ticket easy to open on your phone, especially if you are making several stops that day.

Because private transportation is not included, check your route before booking. The tour does not begin in Hobart, and the supplied information does not include transfers. You need to make the full journey to Kempton and plan your return.

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is a useful limit for a guided tasting. If you want a quieter visit, an earlier booking may be sensible, though the available data does not promise a particular group size at any departure.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Inside that window, the paid amount is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

What the positive feedback tells me

The strongest praise focuses on the guide’s explanation and the quality of the tasting. One account calls the experience excellent and specifically praises John for explaining how the handcrafted whisky, gin, and other liqueurs are made.

Another describes the stop as a fun and interesting break on the way to Hobart, with particular approval for the whisky tasting. That is a useful clue about how to fit the experience into your day. It works well as a destination stop or as a planned pause during a drive, rather than as an isolated activity requiring a full day.

The overall score is 4.9 out of 5 from 42 ratings, with 95 percent recommending the experience. Those figures suggest a consistently strong visit, though they cannot tell you whether the four samples will match your personal taste.

I would put the praise in the right place. The appeal is not a huge range of attractions or a long list of activities. It is the simple package of a good setting, a clear explanation, and a well-sized tasting.

Final decision: should you book Old Kempton?

You should book this tour if you can reach Kempton for 1:30 pm and want a focused introduction to Tasmanian spirits. The $32 fee is sensible for a 90-minute guided visit with four samples, especially when you value the historic Dysart House setting and the chance to compare whisky, gin, and liqueurs.

I would make it a priority for anyone already driving toward Hobart or planning time in the Kempton area. The stop has enough substance to justify the detour, but it is short enough to fit around other plans.

Skip it if you need transport, cannot drink alcohol, or prefer an entirely flexible schedule. For everyone else, Old Kempton offers a pleasant and practical way to connect Tasmania’s local ingredients, an 1842 property, and modern craft distilling in one manageable visit.

FAQ

How much does the Old Kempton Distillery tour cost?

The tour costs $32. The price includes the guided experience and tastings of four Old Kempton spirits.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The main distillery stop is listed as one hour.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 1:30 pm.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel at 26 Main Street, Kempton, Tasmania 7030. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Four alcoholic tastings of Old Kempton spirits are included.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own transport to and from Kempton.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.