Morris set to release limited-edition flagship whisky

Sometimes you just have to be quiet. 

Like when you taste an outstanding drink that has not been released yet. 

And the distillery had imposed an embargo and you are sworn to silence, much as you'd like to spread the word. 

Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky is releasing its new flagship expression: the Single Barrel Sherry Cask, a whisky drawn from a single ex-sherry cask from Morris of Rutherglen and hand-selected by head distiller Darren Peck and chief winemaker Madden Morris.

The limited-release aims to embody more than 165 years of winemaking heritage, transformed into a single barrel whisky of complexity and character. There will be only 270 bottles available (RRP $298).

The sneak peek I enjoyed recently was full of flavour and super smooth. 

Peck (below) said the release represents a unique whisky experience.



"We selected this specific ex-sherry cask for our Single Barrel release because I wanted to share a whisky unlike anything we've released before," he said. 

"At Morris, we're renowned for our fortified wines, and exploring the potential of this sherry cask has been a project I've loved to nurture and develop over six years of maturation here in Rutherglen. 

"The climate has delivered the perfect maturation conditions, allowing the whisky to develop a level of maturity far beyond its age. The result is an exceptional single barrel whisky with incredible complexity from oak extraction as a result of the unique climate."

Describe by Peck as "bold yet beautifully balanced" the whisky was bottled at a cask strength of 51.8% ABV.

Each bottle is individually numbered and allocated at random.

You can register for exclusive early access from today at morriswhisky.com.

General sales commence on September 15 online and at the Morris cellar door.

Hollywood star Hemsworth makes a spirited move

Actor and film producer Chris Hemsworth is now a co-owner of leading Australian spirits producer Archie Rose.

The former Home and Away and Thor actor has joined Archie Rose founder Will Edwards and his family with a shared ambition to take Australian whisky to the world.

Later this year, Archie Rose will launch three bespoke whiskies co-created with Hemsworth and made using 100% Australian-grown malts.

The range will launch nationally and, for the first time, in the United States, followed by Asia and New Zealand, before expanding into the UK and Europe in 2027.

As the largest independent distillery in the southern hemisphere, multiple award winner Archie Rose is aiming to put Australian whisky firmly on the global stage.

Founded in Sydney in 2014, Archie Rose has built an international reputation and Hemsworth has been a long-time admirer of the brand.

"I’ve been a fan of Archie Rose for a long time,” the Melbourne-born actor says.

“Wherever I am in the world, tasting an Archie Rose whisky immediately transports me right back home, to that feeling of sitting around a campfire in the Australian bush with my mates.

"Their ethos of only using Australian grown malts to produce flavour packed whiskies at their Sydney distillery is truly awesome. They’re a brilliant example of what Australia does best and I can’t wait to share that with the world.”

Edwards is delighted by the new investor.

"Our approach has always been about championing local ingredients to create spirits that taste truly Australian," he says.

"Having Chris join the business as a co-owner allows us to bring that ambition to the world. We aren't just making spirits; we are using Australia’s raw materials and ingenuity as the base for producing the world’s best whisky, gin and other spirits, telling the stories of the growers and the land beneath them."

For more info see archierose.com.au

Discover a Japanese cocktail experience overlooking Darling Harbour

How about a slick venue where you can sip on exotic cocktails and enjoy Japanese-inspired snacks while watching boats traverse Darling Harbour and a parade of planes coming in to land at Sydney Airport?

Zephyr Sky Bar, on the 12th floor of Sydney's busy Hyatt Regency Hotel, could be your "go to".

In addition to its usual offerings, this winter Zephyr is partnering with Japanese distilling legends House of Suntory for a limited-time takeover celebrating Japanese craftsmanship, flavour and hospitality.

Available until September, Suntory Time at Zephyr Sky Bar is transforming the award-winning rooftop venue with an exclusive menu of Japanese-inspired cocktails and paired bites overlooking the waterfront.



The seasonal collaboration showcases House of Suntory's iconic Japanese spirits across a bespoke cocktail list featuring bright, seasonal flavours including yuzu, kaffir lime, lemongrass, mango, and passionfruit.

To complement the drinks there is a limited-edition menu of Wagyu tataki, octopus takoyaki and rather delicious pan-seared gyoza.

I'm more a savoury guy but the sweet and fruity Celestial Sip cocktail rather took my fancy. This is a blend of Suntory Yamazaki distillers reserve, kaffir lime, lemongrass, yuzu, pineapple, passionfruit and foam.

I'd enjoyed two before my wife instructed me to stop.



Before leaving ,however, I did give in to my inner whisky voice, sampling a neat shot of Suntory Hakushiu 120-year-old whisky, which would have set me back $55 was I not being hosted. 

Peaty/minty flavours combined for major palate impact.

There is doof doof and dramatic live electric violin performances every Friday to complete the experience, creating one of Sydney's most elevated winter destinations against a beautiful backdrop.

Zephyr Sky Bar, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 161 Sussex St, Sydney. 

# The writer was hosted by Zephyr Sky Bar 

Tasmanian family businesses combine to craft unique spirit

Two family owned Tasmanian drinks businesses have collaborated to create a limited-release spirit.

Invercarron Wines and Derwent Distillery have partnered to craft a Late Harvest Pinot Noir Gin.

Located just 12km apart as the crow flies, both producers call the foothills of Mount Dromedary home.

Derwent Distillery’s Robbie Gilligan said the mountain's cool climate and distinctive weather patterns play an important role in shaping the quality and character of both the Invercarron vines and the botanicals used in Derwent Distillery's award-winning spirits.

“The collaboration was inspired by a simple idea: create something exceptional while ensuring nothing goes to waste,” Gilligan told a Destination Southern Tasmania launch.

“Our team spent a couple of days hand-picking pinot noir grapes that mechanical harvesters were unable to reach, fruit growing close to vine posts or too low to the ground.

"Rather than being left behind, these grapes were given a second life.”

Invercarron’s Andrew Jones said the collaboration gave a new destination for grapes that would otherwise have remained to wither on the vine.

“It reflects the shared commitment of both Derwent businesses to quality, sustainability and making the most of every harvest,” he said.

“The fruit had remained on the vine until May, allowing an extended ripening period that intensified both flavour and colour. “rom approximately 120 kilograms of hand-picked grapes, each bunch was carefully sorted, with only the darkest, ripest fruit selected for the final spirit.”

Gilligan said the grapes were then married with a specially developed gin recipe.

“The resulting gin offers aromas of raspberry, ripe strawberry and red cherry, balanced with delicate floral notes of violet," he said.

"Traditional juniper, bright citrus and carefully selected botanicals provide structure and complexity, creating a gin that is both elegant and unmistakably Tasmanian.”

The small-batch release cost $75 for 500ml. 

See https://www.derwentdistillery.com.au/ and https://www.invercarronwines.com.au/

Perth Gin Festival returns for spirit lovers

 

Calling all lovers of spirits and cocktails. 

The Perth Gin Festival returns for the sixth time later this month, taking over the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday, August 28, to Sunday, August 30.

This year, distillers from around Australia will be bringing not only their gin but also a range of other spirits, including whisky, rum, vodka, tequila and liqueurs.

A ticket gives hundreds of spirit samples to choose from (be an adult please), a tasting cup, Long Rays tonic and soda mixer samples, and a tote bag. 

The event is an opportunity to chat and taste with 40 Aussie craft distillers who will talk about how they make their gin (and other spirits) while you taste. Bottles will also be available for sale to take home.

There will also be a selection of artisanal food samples to enjoy while you sip, plus other food options to purchase. Ticket bundles are available. 

The event features two specialty masterclasses from Adelaide distiller Heaps Good and Victoria’s Heathcote Gin, while the Long Rays mixers stand will give audiences a demonstration of how to best use tonic and soda in their drinks.

You can Book here.

Two of Australia's storied family wineries celebrate together

Two of Australia's leading winemaking families got together this month to celebrate a decade of working together.

The Morris family from Rutherglen, in north-east Victoria, has been making bold reds and fortified wines since 1859. By 1885, Morris was reported to be the biggest wine producer in the southern hemisphere. 

Current winemaker Madden Morris is the sixth generation to hold the reins after taking over from his father David in the company's 165th year. He describes the family wines as "legacy in a glass". 

Casella Family Brands, from Yenda in the NSW Riverina, is Australia's largest family-owned beverage company. 

Founded in 1969, although the family sold grapes for decades before that, Casella is best known for selling over 10 million cases of [yellow tail] around the world each year and also owns labels including Peter Lehmann and Baileys of Glenrowan.

A decade ago, French conglomerate Pernod Richard Winemaker, the then owners of the Morris business, were keen to sell, and the Morris family was anxious to buy the business back - but lacked the cash.

Up stepped Casella boss John Casella, a long-time family friend, to acquire the rights.

In July 2016, Morris of Rutherglen was back in Australian hands, and the family regained control.

David Morris and John Casella 

David Morris told the 10th anniversary celebration how the Casellas had come to his family's aid.

“It was a very devastating decision that they [Pernod Ricard] made," he said. "It was the final nail that they could put into our coffin. We were making good sales, we were 70% table and sparkling wine and only 30% fortified wine at that point. We were a very small winery in their portfolio.

“When they made the decision, it came about very quickly, and they gave us a couple of weeks to find a buyer. Then we managed to get the deposit in the day before [the deadline]. It is now amazing to be back in family stewardship and have some longevity back in the brand.

“We went from devastating news to fantastic within about a month.”

Morris said Casella was one of the first friends he called, with the result that the historic winery returned to family stewardship and secure its long-term future as a partnership with the Cassela family.

“Morris is an Australian icon and we couldn’t allow it to be lost," John Casella told the event. "And to see where we are today, with the barrels in the cellar, this beautiful cellar door, none of this would have existed."

Over the past decade, Casella Family Brands has invested in the Morris of Rutherglen business, building on its cellar door offering and resuming long-lost distilling operations to produce world-class whiskies made by Scottish-born head distiller Darren Peck.

Morris is now a triple-threat destination offering wines, fortifieds and spirits. 

Its muscats and topaques are regarded among the best in the world and the Morrises have long championed the big red grape variety durif (aka petite sirah), which Madden Morris describes as "shiraz on steroids".

Guests at the event also enjoyed a tour of the Morris distillery - and the still built in 1933 - as well as a spectacular display of barrel charring. 

Visitors should not miss the aromatic - and atmospheric - old cellars.

 
# The writer was a guest of Morris of Rutherglen and Casella Family Wines.

Dark Lark is a seasonal Tasmanian treat

Winter in Tasmania is long, cold and dark.

It's the perfect time, then, for the sixth seasonal release of No. 166 Dark Lark 2026.

The limited-release whisky is housed in a matte black 700mL bottle - a dark, moody exterior that houses a Tasmanian single malt.

It's a bit late, to be honest, in that it is promoted as signalling "the arrival of winter and the ritual that comes with it". It's also a bit behind the Dark Mofo festival.

Crafted by master sistiller Chris Thomson and the Lark team, this year’s expression is promoted as "leaning into deep indulgence: sticky figs, dark chocolate-covered cherries and espresso gelato, lifted by lemon shortbread and soft honey."

It sounds delicious. And it is. Rich with treacle characteristics and very smooth on the finish. Hard to stick at one glass. 

No.166 Dark Lank 2026 is available from today via larkdistillery.com and Hobart venues. The RRP is $150.

Cheers as whiskey distilling brothers hit jackpot

When brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling opened the first distillery in Dublin for 125 years they could not have imagined they’d hit a financial jackpot.

Fourteen years on from starting their business the Teeling brothers this week completed a deal to sell their entire operation to global drinks giant Bacardi Limited.

The Teeling brothers will, however, remain a part of the brand, shaping its future and driving growth for the long term as strategic advisors.

Bacardi acquired a minority stake in the Dublin-based whiskey company in 2017 and subsequently increased its stake to become the majority shareholder in 2022. The latest deal was worth an additional US $30 million.

“Teeling is the perfect fit for Bacardi,” says Mahesh Madhavan, Chief Executive Officer for Bacardi Limited.

“The brand stands for quality, craftsmanship and a fearless approach to the category with fresh ideas and innovative new whiskeys. The hundreds of awards it’s received say everything about its success.

“There is so much long-term potential for the Irish whiskey category globally and with Teeling we are perfectly positioned to take advantage of every opportunity.”

Teeling whiskey is now exported to more than 80 markets around the world.

“My brother and I both know that at Bacardi, Teeling is in the best possible hands,” says Jack Teeling.

“Working closely with the Bacardi team over the last nine years has proven to us that as a family-owned company, Bacardi appreciates the value of everything the Teeling brand stands for and its commitment to raising the bar for Irish whiskey.”

Bacardi Limited is the largest privately held international spirits company in the world with over 200 brands including Barcardi rum, Patron Tequila, Grey Goose vodka and Bombay Saffire gin. www.bacardilimited.com

New whisky concept inspired by Sir Kenny Dalglish

Former Liverpool and Scotland striker Kenny Dalglish is the inspiration for a new whisky concept.

Distilllers Gordon & MacPhail have partnered with Sir Kenny for the inaugural release of a a venture called Vintage Moments.

The Elgin-based whisky producer will release the first collection in October 2026, with just 15 of Dalglish’s Vintage Moments by Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies box sets available to purchase.

The new initiative centres on creating bespoke collections of five ultra-rare single malt Scotch whiskies distilled in years that correspond with significant moments in an individual’s life, the drinks business reports.

Gordon & MacPhail said a small number of private clients will be given the opportunity each year to sample single malts and select five whiskies linked to pivotal years in their own personal histories.

Each whisky will hand-drawn from cask and bottled at cask strength, with Gordon & MacPhail describing each bottling as “the only expression of each particular single malt that will ever exist”.

To launch the concept, Gordon & MacPhail worked with Dalglish to curate five rare single malt Scotch whiskies distilled in years linked to landmark moments in his life.

Dalglish, who was born in 1951, is regarded as one of the greatest strikers in post-war British football and remains one of Celtic’s, Liverpool’s and Scotland’s most admired figures.

Image: Sir Kenny Dalglish, Gordon & MacPhail

Hobart gets a new whisky hotspot in time for Dark Mofo

Just in time for the Dark Mofo winter festival, Lark Distillery has launched a new whisky hot spot.

The Still - Lark's flagship whisky and cocktail bar - has been reimagined as GOTHAM at The Still.

Lark suits say the tasting room and lounge will retain its atmosphere, service, and exceptional spirits but as GOTHAM will have a "darker pulse".

Launching this week with a new food and cocktail menu, GOTHAM will showcase an "ultra high-performance sound system" from local acoustic designers Pitt & Giblin and a moody new ambience.

“GOTHAM is our invitation to locals and visitors alike to gather, pour something wicked, and stay under the spell," says Lark head of hospitality Dan Knight.

"It’s still Tasmanian at its core, and still driven by the Lark spirits that we love, injected with a mood and mischief that Hobart has been waiting for."

In keeping with GOTHAM’s distinctive new personality, chef Benjamin Co-Pavier’s menu is reminiscent of New York cocktail bars, featuring plates of shucked-to-order local oysters from Tasmanian Oyster Co., fried chicken, Robbins Island wagyu skewers, and a classic cheeseburger.

GOTHAM at The Still will host a number of regular events, including gin blending, live jazz every Wednesday evening (5:30-8:30pm), and a Happy Hour with a Lark twist.

GOTHAM at The Still at 30 Argyle Street, Hobart. Open Wednesday-Thursday, 3pm-late and Friday-Sunday, 1pm-late.

Star wineries sign up for Hunter festival

Brokenwood, First Creek Wines, Hungerford Hill, Margan and Bimbadgen are among the wine producers to have signed up for the 2026 Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival.

Offering a day of local food, wines, brews, spirits and entertainment, the event is pencilled in for Saturday, July 11, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley in Lovedale.

Festival goers will be able to taste wines from over 20 local producers also including Allandale, Petersons Family Wines, Gartelmann Wines and Gundog Estate.

Brewers and distillers including Steinbok, Pants Off, Phoenix Distillery, Wooden Axe, Kissofire Hunter Valley Liqueurs, CInCin Beverages, and Sydney Brewery.

Accompanying the drink options will be a range of dishes, including pizza, paella, curry, and artisan foods from local providers such as Goose on the Loose and Hunter Belle Dairy Co.

Masterclasses will be available as add-ons to general tickets. These will include a Dumplings and Wine Pairing hosted by Latitude 32 Wines; Beer & Cider pairing with cheese & crackers hosted by Sydney Brewery & Hunter Belle; and an interactive cocktail masterclass showcasing Pants Off Distillery’s spirits.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the day on the festival stage.

General Admission tickets are available for $30pp ($40pp on the day) through Universe (booking fees apply). Tickets include entry into the festival, first drink up to the value of $8, memorabilia wine glass, access to 45+ wineries, distilleries and craft breweries, gourmet food vendors, live music, and other festival activities.

Families are welcome, with children accompanying adults receiving complimentary entry to the festival (ticket required when booking with an adult). A Kids Activities Pass will be available on the day for $10 per child, providing access to train rides, a jumping castle, face painting and more.

Parking is available at Rydges Resort and local transport operator Sip & Trip will be offering (paid) transfers to and from the festival with pick-up points in Newcastle and East Maitland.

 
Making the festival a potential weekend away,three of the Hunter Valley’s top chefs will partner with local wineries to present the Beyond the Pour Dinner on the Friday evening, July 10.

Matt Dillow from Gartelmann Wines’ Deck Café will join Gather executive chef Ran Kimelfeld, and Frank Fawkner of EXP (recently named Australia's Regional Restaurant of the Year) for a three-course meal celebrating the best local produce and wines.

See https://huntervalleywinefestival.com/beyondthepourdinner/

Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has accommodation packages available for the Friday and Saturday nights from $350 per night including accommodation, breakfast, entry to the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival and a complimentary tasting glass.

See www.huntervalleywinefestival.com

A new take on a classic gin - with an artistic touch

Hendrick's Gin is one of the highest-profile spirits brands globally - and now it has a sibling.

Another Hendrick's' Gin, offering a new take on the ultra premium brand, is the first permanent addition to the range for a decade.

“Another Hendrick’s was created to explore contrasts - bright citrus and floral notes balanced with the depth of cacao," says Hendrick’s head of marketing Jonathan Sully.

Launched in 1999, with its distinctive dark apothecary bottle, Hendrick's Gin was a prime driver of the premium gin renaissance of the early 2000s.

Packaged in a striking white bottle, the new expression "is the complete opposite of what we’ve been doing for the past 25 years,’ said master distiller Lesley Gracie. 

"After experimenting with different elements from the Hendrick’s Gin Palace’s tropical greenhouse, I discovered this brilliant profile featuring a depth of flavour, hint of sweetness and lift of freshness that is completely distinctive.’

In Australia, the launch will be celebrated by a Hendrick's collab with artist Rone: Hendrick’s Gin Presents: Another TIME by Rone, billed as "an immersive exhibition where art and curious flavours collide, creating a layered, sensory experience like no other".

The free, two-day-only exhibition will be held on May 8-9 at Sydney gallery COMA.

“I’ve always been drawn to contrast - the push and pull between opposing elements and the emotion that sits in between - and Another Hendrick’s captures that same duality." says Rone in masterful marketing speak.

Guests who have tickets to the free, limited-run exhibition will also enjoy a complimentary Another Hendrick’s Spritz - a blend of Another Hendrick’s with peach liqueur, prosecco, and soda water, finished with signature cucumber slices and an orange twist.

Sign up to pre-registration for priority access to tickets before tickets go on sale to the public on April 23 here. Or visit www.hendricksgin.com.

Long Island distillery sues global giant LIV Golf

You might remember LIV Golf, a group that promotes golf as a festival of drunkenness and pays some of the leading players obscene amounts of money.

It aimed to change the face of the sport but is now largely an extravagant irrelevancy - unless you are one of the lucky golfers raking in the dollars, or one of the fans fighting each other. 

Now LIV Golf has a legal issue.

A New York-based artisan distillery, Long Island Spirits, has filed a lawsuit against LIV Golf, alleging that the league depressed sales and confused customers, by selling LIV-branded products that infringed on the spirit maker’s trademark.

In a filing to the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the craft vodka producer claimed that the Saudi-backed golf league is infringing on its signature LiV brand by selling its own branded alcohol and apparel.

The LiV acronym originally stood for Long Island Vodka (see image right).

As well as its signature vodka, made from local potatoes, the distillery produces cocktails, whisky, RTDs and gin. It also sells its own branded t-shirts, hats and other clothing.

The Baiting Hollow (great name)-based distillery, accuses LIV Golf of “blatant trademark infringement”.

The complaint states: “Distributors, retailers, hospitality partners, and consumers have already experienced actual confusion about whether the LíV brand has affiliated with LIV Golf.

“Consumers’ mistaken belief that LIV is in league with a highly controversial and heavily commercialised venture backed by an immense foreign sovereign wealth fund is antithetical to the authentic, pioneering, craft spirit LíV brand that LIV has worked hard to build.”

Ouch.

So you are serious about whisky?

Are you serious about whisky? 

Want to know more about distilling in Tasmania and the Lark success story? 

Lunching in time for the Easter long weekend, Lark Distilling has launched a range of ways of exploring the Lark range right on the Hobart waterfront. 

Open across the whole long weekend, LARK’s Cellar Door, located on Davey Street, is offering bookable tastings designed to bring Tasmania’s whisky story to life in an immersive way.

Visitors and local alike can book for Welcome to LARK, a concise, 45-minute guided tasting that traces Lark’s origins and evolution, featuring three museum release malts for $149 per person. Daily from 1pm | $149pp | Booking link here

If you are keen to splash out, Fuse Whisky Blending Experience is a premium, hands-on session where guests create their own bespoke Lark single malt. Guided by a whisky specialist, guests blend from unreleased cask samples to craft a personalised, cask-strength bottle to take home.
Daily from 3pm for $499 per person. Booking link here.

For evening plans, LARK’s dining space, The Still, has just launched a new extended menu. To celebrate, all online dinner bookings will receive a complimentary tasting of Lark's new Fire Trail whisky (it's a ripper), over the next two week. (Closed Good Friday and Easter Monday). Booking link here.

The Fire Trail is part of a new portfolio of four Tasmanian whisky expressions that are presented in re-imagined 700ml bottle with a new design that was this week awarded World’s Best Design at the World Whisky Awards 2026 Global Dinner. 

The Collection comprises Fire Trail (RRP $170), Devil’s Storm (RRP $200), Ruby Abyss (RRP $400), along with Cinder Forest (available in May, RRP $160). 

Check out larkdistillery.com. 

Craft distilling returns to historic Seppeltsfield

Craft distilling has made a comeback to Seppeltsfield Estate’s historic 1877 distillery in the Barossa, reviving the site’s original spirit-making heritage. 

Now open daily from 11am–5pm, Prohibition Liquor Co operates as a working distillery, tasting room, and cocktail bar. 

Guests can enjoy guided gin tastings, seasonal cocktails, classic G&Ts, and a relaxed food menu while soaking up the estate’s iconic palms and heritage buildings.

Set among the estate’s iconic palms and historic buildings, it is described as "the perfect place to settle in for a relaxed tasting, grazing lunch or afternoon cocktail", say the team from Unique Winery Experiences Australia.

Pizzas are served with gluten-free and Vegan options available, alongside crisps and cheese plates designed for pairing with a gin flight or cocktail. 

Bookings are recommended. Click Here. A visit can be combined with a tasting of some of Seppeltsfield's table and fortified wines next door. 

The venue is also available for corporate events, private functions and weddings. 

Meet a new limited-edition gin with a purpose

Fancy an Easter tipple that could help save one of Australia's iconic native animals? 

Meet a new limited-edition gin with a conscious. 

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) has teamed up with Brisbane-based craft gin distillery BY.ARTISANS ahead of the Easter holiday to launch Burrow & Bloom. 

Sales of the gin will support efforts to save Australia's beloved but threatened Greater Bilby, also affectionately known as the Easter Bilby.

The bilby has suffered population declines since colonisation and the introduction of feral cats, the primary driver of native mammal extinctions and ongoing declines in Australia.

While once found across the country, there is now only an estimated 10,000 bilbies remaining in Australia, with around 3,300 individuals living inside six of AWC’s feral predator-free sanctuaries. 

“Burrow & Bloom was designed to reflect the landscapes the Bilby depends on,” said Alexander Bell from BY.ARTISANS. 

“We’ve used a foundation of classic gin structure, layered with native desert botanicals like roasted wattle seed, saltbush, desert lime and lemon myrtle, to evoke arid soils, dry air and nocturnal foraging. A gentle rose infusion softens the profile as a subtle nod to Easter, without losing the austerity of the desert.”

Each bottle sold will contribute $48 to AWC to support bilby conservation and habitat protection across AWC sanctuaries. 

A maximum of 1,000 bottles of Burrow & Bloom will be produced, at full release, equating to $48,000 in sponsorship support for AWC, and the protection and management of wildlife sanctuaries across Australia.

You can find out more here. 

Image: Judy Moosmueller

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/

How to combine Auckland city chic with Waiheke Island spirits

Fancy sampling a two-day experience that showcases some of the best of Auckland?

voco Auckland City Centre, an urban hotel in the heart of New Zealand's biggest city, recently launched its 'Sip, Stay & Sail' Package, a two-night experience that combines city style with the artisan flavours of lovely Waiheke Island.

The package includes ferry and bus transfers, world-class distillery dining, and gin tastings including the new and exclusive Bar Albert Gin, crafted in partnership with Waiheke Distilling Co.

Voco Auckland City Centre’s Sip, Stay & Sail package includes: 

# Two nights of contemporary comfort at voco Auckland City Centre.
# Return reserve ferry transfers with Fullers360 to Waiheke Island.
# Eastern Explorer Lunch Package for two at Waiheke Distilling Co., including coach/bus transport and culinary experience featuring a signature gin tasting board, choice of G&T or vodka soda welcome drink, starter, shared Napoli-style pizza, seasonal salad, and a signature cocktail.
# $50 Bar Albert voucher to enjoy two Bar Albert x Waiheke Distilling signature cocktails at the hotel's vaunted rooftop destination.
# Breakfast for two at the hotel’s Mozzarella & Co. trattoria both mornings.

The package is available Wednesday through Sunday until March 31 with a minimum two-night stay required.

The experience is priced from $599. Rooms are subject to availability and blackout dates apply.

For bookings and more information, visit auckland.vocohotels.com.

French wine and spirits export volumes and values plunge

French wine and spirits exports have plunged to their lowest volume in at least 25 years, with demand damaged by trade tensions with both China and the US.

Sales were impacted by US tariffs and Chinese duties, with a strong Euro also making alcohol more expensive, industry body Federation des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux (FEVS) said.

Total French wine and spirits exports dipped by 3% in volume in 2025 to 168 million cases, FEVS announced. Exports dipped by 8% in value to a five-year low of €14.3bn, with US and tariffs and Chinese duties hurting demand, trade publications drinks business reported. 

Traditionally, wine and spirits has been France’s second-largest export sector. It now trails behind aerospace and cosmetics.

FEVS chair Gabriel Picard said the sector would likely benefit from new EU trade agreements with India and the Mercosur bloc. But he warned the industry could continue to see difficulties in 2026 without improved market access.

In 2025, sales dropped almost a quarter (21%) to €3 billion, with volumes plummeting below 30 million cases. 

“There is a real decline in the United States and the volume correction may not have been sufficient, and perhaps we will see another volume correction in 2026,” Picard told Reuters news agency.

Cognac - France’s flagship spirit - saw sales dipping 15% in volume and 24% in value in 2025.

“Geopolitical tensions between France and China marked the end of cognac in China," Picard said. "Now stopping something doesn’t take long, but rebuilding takes a long time.” 

On the plus side, within Europe, wine and spirits exports held broadly stable at €4.1 billion, with resilience in markets such as the UK, where volumes rose 3% despite fiscal pressure, FEVS said.

The sales to South Africa also climbed 22% to €182 million, while Vietnam, the Philippines and Australia also showed strong momentum.

New whisky release is a tribute to times past

So you like your whisky on the bold side?

Tasmania's Callington Mill Distillery is this week releasing its latest cask strength dram, Town Hall, which is bottled exactly as it comes from the barrel at a whopping 66.1% ABV.

The new release is promoted as "whisky in its most authentic form - uncut, undiluted and unapologetically full in flavour". 

For purists, it is said to be the closest experience to sampling straight from the cask itself.

Released as the fourth instalment in the distillery’s Heritage Series, Town Hall is drawn from a single Portuguese port cask. 

It is distilled in the historic Midlands township of Oatlands, where the many sandstone buildings tell stories of a bygone era. 

Made in a very small batch, it will retail for RRP $195 and will be available online from Monday as well as at distillery cellar doors in Oatlands and Hobart. 

I asked to try it but no luck. But they did send me a bottle of the award-winning Callington Mill Invicta, which I look forward to trying. 

“Our Heritage Series is a tribute to Callington Mill’s birthplace, Oatlands, Tasmania, a town that seems to have stood still in time," says Callington Mill Distillery founder John Ibrahim. 

Built by architect William Henry Lord in 1882, the picturesque sandstone Town Hall has long been the heart of community life, hosting council meetings, dances, and early film screenings. 

It was one of the first rural venues in Australia to show feature films, making it a pioneer of cinema in regional Tasmania. 

“Driving down the main road of Oatlands, you get a real sense that it’s a place that truly values its history," Ibrahim says. "You can’t come here without being amazed at the effort put into keeping that village feel. It’s like stepping back in time.”

See www.callingtonmilldistillery.com