Launceston Distillery
About the distillery
Launceston Distillery is located in Hangar 17 in Western Junction in northern Tasmania and makes Tasmanian single malt whisky with local ingredients and a strong link to the site’s aviation history. It is a working distillery, where visitors can sample their way through the house’s bourbon-, apera-, and tawny-influenced expressions, as well as a smoked special release. The combination of an historic setting, award-winning whisky, and open tastings makes the place particularly interesting for curious whisky lovers.
History
Hangar 17 becomes a whisky home
The distillery is based in Hangar 17, a historic hangar building in northern Tasmania. The site houses both whisky production and the story of the hangar’s former role in aviation, which is now part of the on-site visit.
Raw materials and production
Launceston Distillery works with Tasmanian single malt whisky and emphasizes the use of pure local ingredients. The range shows a clear focus on cask influence and on the difference between peated and unpeated malt. Bourbon Cask Matured is described as matured in American oak casks that previously contained bourbon, and the whisky is non-chill filtered to preserve depth of character. The distillery also states that the casks are made by local coopers from carefully selected American oak bourbon barrels. In addition to this, the range includes Apera Cask Matured, Tawny Cask Matured, and a peated version, pointing to a production process where cask selection and the malt’s smoky character are used to shape style and balance.
Maturation and cask types
Maturation is clearly centered on American oak and on casks previously used for wine or spirits. Bourbon Cask Matured is matured in American oak bourbon casks, while Apera Cask Matured and Tawny Cask Matured show how different fortification casks are used to give the whisky a distinct aromatic imprint. The bourbon-matured expression is non-chill filtered, and the distillery highlights the work of local coopers with casks made from carefully selected American bourbon barrels. Overall, it presents a distillery that works deliberately with cask influence as a core part of the whisky’s identity.
Whiskies
The current range revolves around the Signature Range, where Bourbon Cask Matured, Apera Cask Matured, Peated, and Tawny Cask Matured make up the core. Bourbon Cask Matured is the most detailedly described expression, with both price, strength, bottle format, and medals, while the other releases, described more briefly, show that the series includes fruity, spicy, smoky, and more bourbon-influenced expressions. In addition, there are special releases such as Winter Solstice 5 Fortified Peat, which underlines that the distillery also works with limited releases with a distinctive character.
| Whisky | Type / series | Alcohol | Cask and style | Tasting profile | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourbon Cask Matured Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky | Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky; Signature Range | 46 % | American oak bourbon casks | Bourbon Cask Matured Tasmanian Single Malt matured in American oak bourbon casks and non-chill filtered for to preserve depth in character.; Nose: Light and crisp, with hints of lemon custard, vanilla, citrus zest and apple skin.; Taste: Sharp and bright. Enjoyable oak character on the palate, with honey, banana and sweet bourbon notes.; Finish: Round and mouthcoating; complex and long. | Current; Core range; 100ml or 500ml bottle |
| Apera Cask Matured Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky | Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky; Signature Range | Tasmanian single malt whisky matured in Apera casks.; Nose: Engaging, fragrant aromas.; Taste: Rich Apera-influenced flavours. | Current; Core range; Price range $40 through $156 | ||
| Peated Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky | Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky; Signature Range | smoked/peaty | Crafted with a blend of peated and unpeated malt.; Taste: A delicate balance of smoky character. | Current; Core range; Price range $40 through $156 | |
| Tawny Cask Matured Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky | Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky; Signature Range | Tasmanian single malt whisky matured in tawny casks.; Nose: Appealing fragrant aromas.; Taste: Complex tawny-influenced flavours of fruit and spice.; Finish: Long, smooth finish. | Current; Core range; Price range $40 through $156 | ||
| Winter Solstice 5 Fortified Peat | Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky | smoked/peaty | Special Release Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky.; Nose: Inviting nose of elegant peat smoke and dark chocolate. | Limited; Special Release |
Whisky style and tasting profile
Bourbon Cask Matured leans toward lemon custard, vanilla, citrus zest and apple skin on the nose, while the palate moves toward honey, banana and sweet bourbon notes with a clear oak character. Tawny Cask Matured is described with fruit and spice and a long, smooth finish. The smoky side of the house is shown in Peated and Winter Solstice 5 with a delicate balance of smoky character and elegant peat smoke, along with dark chocolate. Together, it creates a style ranging from light and fresh bourbon sweetness to fruit, spice, and a more elegant smoke.
Visit the distillery
Yes, the public can visit the distillery in Hangar 17 in Western Junction. Guided tastings are available for 30 minutes for $20 per person, and distillery tours for 1 hour for $30 per person, and tasting is included in the tour. Tours and tastings are available Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm, while the cellar door is open until 4pm. The visit also offers the chance to step into a working distillery and see Tasmanian single malt up close in the historic hangar.
The stated opening hours are Tours and tastings available Monday to Saturday, 10am–3pm. Cellar door open until 4pm.
See times and book a visit.
Philosophy and craftsmanship
Launceston Distillery places emphasis on tradition, heritage, and pure local ingredients. Local coopers are used, and the distillery underscores its responsibility and respect for the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community as traditional and ongoing guardians of the land. At the same time, the site is closely linked to Hangar 17 and the history that the building carries, so craftsmanship and place clearly go together in the distillery’s identity.
Latest news
Winter Solstice 5 Has Arrived – 2026-06-21
The fifth edition in the Winter Solstice series is marked as the newest special release of the year and is described as inspired by the year’s shortest day and longest night.