TAS

At Waverley Distillery, they’re all about whipping up top-notch gin. They take the purest stuff from Tasmania, add a dash of passion for only the best gin, and voilà – their small-batch Assyrian Rhubarb Gin is born. So, where does the Waverley Distillery name come from? Well, it’s a nod to the “Waverley” estate near Oatlands.

Way back in 1878, this spot was snagged by Sir J.W. Agnew – who was gearing up to be the big boss of Tasmania – for his kid, Mr. C.S. Agnew. Fast forward a bunch of years, and the legacy lives on with Michael Agnew and his wife Fiona. These two are the brainy duo behind today’s Waverley Distillery, keeping it all in the family as C.S. Agnew’s great-great-grandson.

Justin Turner, the mastermind behind Turner Stillhouse, hails from America but has set up shop in Tasmania. He’s hitched to a local Tasmanian, part of a family that’s been farming the land for generations. Since tying the knot, he’s gotten totally hooked on the island’s booze and grub scene. Growing up in Northern California, Justin’s no stranger to the spirit-making business—his own family ran a winery that dabbled in brandy and other spirited concoctions. This stuff runs in his veins. After spending a chunk of his career—over ten years—in the Big Apple crunching numbers as a finance hotshot, Justin decided it was time to circle back to his family’s distilling craft. So he upped stakes and set out to create Turner Stillhouse, a place where he could churn out top-notch spirits, batch after batch. At Turner Stillhouse, he’s all about mixing up creative recipes and sprinkling in a dash of his American roots. But don’t think he’s throwing tradition out the window. Nope, he’s blending his fresh approach with the classic, sophisticated art of Tasmanian distilling.

In March 2018, Sarah Gunn kicked off her own little slice of spirit-making heaven with Summerleas Distillery Tasmania. It’s pretty cool because she’s like the seventh generation of her family to call Tasmania home. So this place isn’t just about crafting awesome drinks; it’s about setting up a legacy for the kids and grandkids to take over someday—it’s her way of putting a stamp on the future and giving the next Gunn’s a head start.

Spirit of Bruny® came to life in December 2021, a unique concoction where science meets the artistry of distillation. The adventure of spirit production started with a change of scenery, as the founders transitioned from their self-sufficient home powered by solar and steam in Oyster Cove to the picturesque surroundings of Simpsons Bay on Bruny Island. Mark Mather, a distiller with a quirky sense of energy and humor, has hung up his stethoscope for a retired doctor-turned-local electrician. With more than 25 years of brewing exceptional craft beers, this skilled “Sparky” has shifted his passion to producing top-notch spirits that are sure to delight anyone’s taste buds. Lorrell Linda, his artistic other half, is a lover of design, the magic of nature, and the transformative power of alchemy. The label’s distinctive white wallaby, an iconic feature, springs from Lorrell’s own hand-drawn pencil work — an ode to the white wallabies that share their island home. Their petite distillery is where high-caliber spirits come to life, crafted meticulously in limited runs, mingling age-old traditions with modern twists. The spirits from Spirit of Bruny® aren’t just another bottle on the shelf; they’re a standout addition anyone would be proud to showcase in their collection.

The team behind Dasher+Fisher gins got their start at Southern Wild Distillery back in 2017. They’re all about crafting gins that really capture the essence of where they’re from – a spot that’s pretty out-of-the-way, stunningly beautiful, and just pristinely pure.

For Jean and Kent, running their own craft distillery means being at the heart of a cozy, independent gig where they concoct top-notch spirits in limited batches. They’re all about handpicked ingredients and turning them into something special. This duo is packed with know-how and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, doing most of the work the old-fashioned way – with their own two hands. You won’t find much in the way of robots or high-tech gizmos here; they stick to time-honored methods, day in and day out. These crafty distillers are knee-deep in every step of the spirit-making journey, pouring their souls into each bottle with a side of genuine enthusiasm. They’re all about keeping it real, welcoming a good chat with those who enjoy their creations. And let’s not forget – those bottles on the shelf? They’re the brainchildren of the very same folks who roll up their sleeves to make them.