Premium Spirits Tour

Whisky country starts close to Hobart. This seven-and-a-half-hour outing takes you through the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands to three distilleries, with tastings of up to 12 whiskies and spirits along the way. I like the small-group format and the chance to reach producers that can be difficult to find on your own. I also like the guides, including Tim, Pete, Ben, Gino, and Jack, who bring real local knowledge and plenty of good humor.

The main point to watch is lunch. The tour description refers to lunch, and the day includes a well-regarded ploughman’s lunch at Old Kempton in some versions, but the formal inclusions list does not include lunch. I would budget separately and confirm the current arrangement before booking. The exact distilleries can also change with availability, so come for a strong Tasmanian spirits day rather than one fixed set of names.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• Three distilleries in one day: You get a broad look at Tasmanian whisky and gin rather than a single producer visit.
• Up to 12 tastings: The amount and selection can vary, but this is built around guided sampling, not a quick sample at the end.
• The Coal Valley by air-conditioned vehicle: Round-trip transport removes the need to drive after drinking.
• Guides make the difference: Tim, Pete, Ben, Gino, and Jack have all been praised for their humor, warmth, and grasp of Tasmania’s spirits trade.
• Small production is part of the appeal: Several stops focus on limited, quality-led output that can be hard to locate without local help.
• Allow a full day: The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. at Brooke Street Pier and returns there after roughly seven and a half hours.

Why this Hobart whisky tour works

Tasmania has built a strong name in single malt whisky, and this tour gives you a useful look at the people and places behind that reputation. Instead of spending the day at one large operation, you visit three different distilleries and compare their approaches.

That variety matters. One producer may focus mainly on whisky, another may also make gin, and another may put more attention on small-batch methods and local character. You are not simply collecting drinks. You are learning how different Tasmanian makers present their work.

The experience begins at Brooke Street Pier in Hobart at 10:00 a.m. This is a practical meeting point near the city center, and the tour ends there as well. From there, an air-conditioned vehicle carries you into the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands, with views along the way.

I especially like the fact that the tour is designed for people who want context. Tastings are guided, and the day is meant to explain the whisky-making process, not just hand you a glass and point you toward the gift shop. The best guides appear to be part host, part local spirits ambassador. Ben has been praised for making the subject engaging, while Tim and Pete are known for humor and strong Tasmanian whisky knowledge.

The drive from Brooke Street Pier into the Coal Valley

The first part of the day gives you a change of scene from central Hobart. The vehicle heads through the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands, areas that help place Tasmanian whisky in its regional setting.

This is one reason I would choose a dedicated tour instead of arranging three separate tastings yourself. You can look out the window, listen to the guide, and let someone else handle the roads. Since alcohol is served throughout the day, round-trip transport is not just convenient. It is the sensible option.

The journey also gives the guide time to explain the local industry and set up the tastings. You may hear about the growth of Tasmanian whisky, the production process, and the differences between whisky and gin. The exact order and stops can change, so the route is best viewed as a flexible working day rather than a rigid schedule.

A stop at a coffee venue may be part of the morning in some versions of the tour. One account praised the welcoming coffee stop before the distillery visits. It is a small detail, but useful on a day when the first whisky samples may not arrive immediately.

Three distilleries, three different points of view

The heart of the experience is the visit to three distilleries. The names can vary according to industry demand and availability, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed lineup.

That flexibility is also part of the value. The operator can use current access and local relationships to select places that may not be easy for an independent visitor to locate. Several stops have been described as small producers focused on quality rather than mass output.

Expect behind-the-scenes access and guided tastings. The tour promises up to 12 different whiskies, though the actual number and balance can vary. You may also taste gin and other spirits, which is a bonus if your interests extend beyond single malt.

Lark has appeared on some versions of the route. It is a famous name in Tasmanian whisky, but the tasting there may be limited. One account noted receiving only one sample at that stop, while other distilleries offered four or more. That is worth keeping in mind: the best-known name is not necessarily the most generous tasting stop.

Killara and Hobart Distillery have also been singled out as personal highlights. Old Kempton appears in the food and spirits mix, and smaller producers may be added or substituted. The mix of well-known and less familiar places gives the day a useful range.

What the whisky tastings are really like

A maximum of 12 samples sounds generous, and it is, but the figure should be treated as an upper limit rather than a promise. The exact selection depends on the distilleries visited and what is available on the day.

Guided tasting is important here. Whisky can become a blur if you sample one glass after another without help. A good guide gives you a way to compare styles, discuss aromas and flavor, and understand why one spirit differs from the next.

The tour is also suitable for gin enthusiasts. One version became a combined whisky and gin day, which was considered a welcome surprise. If your traveling companion likes gin more than whisky, that wider focus makes the tour easier to recommend.

Still, this is not a casual pub crawl. The point is to learn and taste in measured stages. You will want to pace yourself, eat properly, and drink water when it is available. The vehicle takes care of the driving, but it cannot remove the effects of seven hours of sampling.

Old Kempton and the question of lunch

Food can make or break a tasting day. The description refers to lunch, and Old Kempton has been praised for an outstanding ploughman’s lunch. That sort of meal fits the setting well: substantial, simple, and useful between tastings.

But the formal details are not fully consistent. Lunch is listed as not included, even though the tour overview refers to lunch and the day may include a meal stop. I would not assume the price covers your meal. Ask the operator what is planned for your date and bring a card or money for the extra cost.

This is a practical issue, not a reason to reject the tour. A proper meal gives you time to reset and makes the long schedule more comfortable. Just include it in your budget when comparing this experience with a shorter tasting outing.

Guides who turn a tasting into a day out

The strongest praise is reserved for the guides. Tim has been called an excellent host and a rockstar of the whisky and gin world. Ben has been praised for his energy and his ability to explain the subject without making it feel like a lecture.

Pete, also referred to as Peter, has been described as funny and well connected with the distilleries. Gino and Jack have led sessions covering the history of Tasmanian whisky and the local products. Names can change with the roster, but the pattern is clear: the guide is a major part of the experience.

This matters because access alone does not make a good tour. You need someone who can explain what you are tasting, keep the group moving, and make introductions feel natural. A guide who is already familiar to the distillery staff may also help the visit feel more personal.

The group size is advertised as no more than 11 people, while the additional information gives a maximum of 16. I would expect a small-group setup, but confirm the number if that detail is important to you. Smaller groups usually make it easier to ask questions and speak with the guide.

The $222.35 price: good value for the right visitor

At $222.35 per person, this is not a cheap tasting. You are paying for roughly seven and a half hours, transport from Hobart and back, a small-group format, several distillery visits, and alcoholic beverages.

The value is strongest if you do not have a car or do not want to nominate a driver. Hiring transport separately and arranging three distillery visits would take time, and the best small producers may not be obvious to someone new to Tasmania.

The price also buys range. A single distillery visit gives you one producer’s point of view. Here, you can compare up to 12 whiskies and spirits across three settings, while hearing about the wider Tasmanian industry.

The value is weaker if you only want one famous whisky brand or if you are not interested in gin. It is also less attractive if lunch adds a noticeable extra charge and you were expecting a fully inclusive day. I would compare the cost with the price of separate tastings, transport, and a meal before deciding.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this tour to whisky drinkers who want to understand Tasmanian production rather than simply buy a bottle. It also suits gin fans, couples, and small groups who prefer a guided day to a self-drive route.

You do not need to be a spirits expert. The guides are there to explain the process, and most travelers can participate. The tour is not open to anyone under 18, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation at the meeting point.

I would think twice if you dislike long tasting days, need a tightly fixed itinerary, or want guaranteed access to particular distilleries. The destinations may change, and the tasting count is up to 12 rather than a fixed number.

Practical details for a smoother day

Meet at Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, Hobart, at 10:00 a.m. The activity returns to the same meeting point, which makes it easy to plan an evening in Hobart afterward.

Wear comfortable clothes for a full day out and keep your schedule clear. The tour lasts about seven hours and 30 minutes, so it is not something to squeeze between morning and evening commitments.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation normally arrives when you book. If you reserve within one day of departure, confirmation depends on availability and may arrive later. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Premium Spirits Tour?

Book it if you want a full day of Tasmanian whisky and gin, prefer not to drive, and like the idea of smaller producers alongside better-known names. The strongest reasons are the three-distillery format, the guide-led tastings, and the local guides who make the day feel connected rather than pieced together.

Go in with two expectations: the distillery lineup can change, and lunch may cost extra. If you are comfortable with that flexibility, the $222.35 price buys a useful, well-organized introduction to Southern Tasmania’s spirits scene. If you want a guaranteed visit to one specific brand, arrange that direct instead.

FAQ

Where does the Premium Spirits Tour start?

It starts at Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, Hobart TAS 7000.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

It ends back at Brooke Street Pier, the original meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

How many distilleries will I visit?

The tour visits three different whisky distilleries, although the exact destinations may change based on availability and industry demands.

How many whiskies can I taste?

You can sample up to 12 different whiskies and spirits. The actual selection may vary.

Is lunch included in the price?

The formal inclusions list does not include lunch, although the tour description refers to lunch and some versions include a meal stop. Confirm the current arrangement before booking.

Can children under 18 join the tour?

No. Guests under 18 are not permitted.

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 accepted for a refund.