Lark celebrates and innovates

 

There was a double celebration at the Lark Distillery tasting room in Hobart this week with a function to welcome new CEO and managing director Stuart Gregor, and a sneak peek at an innovative new premium whisky range to be launched in April. 

The tasting room has been given a major makeover with some clubby chic spaces upstairs for private tastings and small groups, in addition to the downstairs area and the garden overlooking the Hobart waterfront. 

The Davey Street cellar door's newly refurbished spaces mark a new era for the home of the brand that started Tasmania's whisky boom. 

"It was so special to share the occasion with industry friends, long-standing partners, media and members of our extended whisky community," the Lark team said. 

Guests at the tasting facility can discover the full Lark collection, from signature expressions to rare venue exclusives, alongside guided tastings, masterclasses and a newly unveiled museum experience. 

The venue is open daily, 11am–7pm, at 14 Davey Street in downtown Hobart. 

Here are some images I took on the night, including one of founder Bill Lark with former Four Pillars founder Gregor.  

See https://larkdistillery.com/

The copy boy who became a man of many talents

A lifetime ago, when I was working as a feature writer at Sydney's Daily Telegraph, I had a copy boy who was exceptionally bright.

The job involved taking typed stories from one section of the newspaper office to another, keeping the hacks plied with coffee and, back in those days, being sent out to buy cigarettes.

This particular copy boy went on to become a very good journalist.

He then moved into communications, founding Liquid Ideas, a leading marketing agency for food, drink, travel and lifestyle brands.

He also co-owns a luxury travel business Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel, and has been a regular panellist on ABC TV program Gruen. He's also a sought-after public speaker and tireless behind-the-scenes worker for charity. He’s often the smartest dude in the room. 

In 2013 was the co-founder of Four Pillars, a boutique gin distillery that prospered.

This week brewing giant Lion announced it is to will take full ownership of Four Pillars Gin, having purchasing 50% of of the business in 2019 for a reported $40 million,

The Australian Financial Review reported this week that Lion has now acquired the second half of the business for an estimated $50 million.

So that leaves my friend and former colleague Stuart Gregor. the former president of the Australian Distillers Association, with plenty of time to improve his golf swing and attend Sydney Swans games.

Cameron McKenzie and Matt Jones, the other two co-founders, will stay with Four Pillars.

Stuart will leave the business on September 1 after what he describes as “a wild but cool ride”. He's done good.