Lark Distilling Co.
June 29, 2026
Lark Distilling Co.
Today the Lark Distillery is in Pontville on the Shene Estate about a 30 minute drive from Hobart. Founded by Bill and Lyn Lark, Lark was Australia's first modern craft whisky distillery. It's had a nomadic history with distillation hapenning in Battery Point, Hobart, Richmond, Cambridge, Bothwell and now Pontville. Despite the numerous production sites and methods, traditional Lark is known for being for rich and oily with a sweetness imparted by old oak Australian Tawny casks.
Want to access Limited Release Lark Tasmanian single malts? Sign up for free to The Whisky Club today.
Did you know?
These days Lark has the capacity to produce various styles of new make and whisky from their stillhouse in Pontville. This carries on their tradition of experimentation with flavour through distillation. Historically their Coal Valley, Bothwell, Overeem, Column Still and Pontville styles of spirit have given the Whiskymaking team incredible flexibility when crafting their range of single malts.
| Region | Tasmania |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Ownership | Lark Distilling Co. |
| Style | Single Malt Whisky |
| Cask Regime | Australian Tawny, Apera and Bourbon casks |
| Flavour Profile | Smooth, rich and oily |
History
Lark distillery was borne of an idea hatched on a fishing trip in 1989. Bill Lark and his father-in-law were discussing the ingredients needed to make good Scotch whisky and decided Tasmania had just as rich an environment. This disussion planted a seed that would grow into the thriving Australian whisky scene we have today.
Bill's first mission was to lobby the Australian government to change an outdated law that banned stills below a certain size. In 1992, the law was overturned and Bill had his license to distil. Lark distillery was founded, and the Tasmanian whisky industry was ready to make a mark. But to be taken seriously, Bill and Lyn knew they would need help. A local coppersmith, a South Australian cooper, a mining license and a team of locals laid the foundations for the Lark we know and love today.
They still use Tasmanian peat to add body to their distillate. The stills are still crafted locally in Tasmania and the casks from Seppeltsfield in South Australia are still the backbone of Lark's maturation policy.
In 2014 Lark distillery made 100L of new make spirit every day, filling 5 casks per week. In 2023 this had ballooned to over 300,000L of whisky each year. They also own and run their own cooperage and cocktail bar in Hobart city centre.
The fishing trip that started an industry
Bill Lark and his father-in-law were sharing a dram of Scotch in the Tasmanian Highlands after a fishing expedition when Bill asked "why is nobody making whisky in Tasmania?" This interaction was the pebble in the pond that led to the whisky industry as we know it today.
Bill changes the law and Lark is born
After researching distillation in Australia, Bill realised he would need to lobby the government to change antiquated laws that banned whisky being produced in small stills. He was successful and in 1992, Lark distillery was founded. This small and determined act is the main reason we have such a thriving Australian industry today.
Lark moves to Cambridge Distillery
Lark moved to a purpose built distillery and bond store in Cambridge Tasmania. Here the distillery would expand from producing 100L of spirit per day to over 200,000L by 2022.
Chris Thomson joins
Chris Thomson, Lark's Master Distiller and Whiskymaker joins the company and starts his lifelong journey in understanding whisky technology and flavour building. If Bill, Lyn and their daughter Kristy laid the foundations for developing Lark's unique flavour profile, Chris can be credited with taking it to the next level.
Lark wins at the World Whiskies Awards
LD100, the 100th cask made by Lark wins best other single malt at the World Whiskies Awards shining a global spotlight on the brand.
Lark acquires Overeem
Lark Distillery bought the Overeem brand and equipment effectively doubling distilling capacity with a new set of stills. Both brands remained separate in production and flavour profile. Nant distillery would follow in 2016.
Column Still installed at Cambridge
During the Covid pandemic, Lark put it's team to work making hand sanitiser. To facilitate this effort, a continuous still was comissioned capable of making 1,000L of high ABV spirit per day. This would go on to provide single malt whisky after the pandemic was over.
Lark acquires Shene Estate
As part of expansion plans, Lark buys the historic Shene Estate at Pontville. It also becomes Australia's first carbon neutral distillery. It is here at Pontville that Lark's whisky village has taken shape with an on-site distillery, cooperage, blending unit and cellar door open to visitors.
Did you know?
Lark Distilling Co. has a mining licence for Tasmanian peat. Lark distillery uses a small amount of Tasmanian peat to add body and weight to their single malt whiskies.
Whisky Style
Lark is most famous for its rich, oily and smooth style of new make spirit. It works best in fortified wine casks.
Although Lark uses Tasmanian peat to dry their barley, the influence is subtle giving the whisky body as opposed to overt smoky flavours.
Standard fermentation is 7 days in stainles steel washbacks. This drives up the acidity and develops complexity and fruitiness in the new make spirit.
These days Lark has numerous still shapes and sizes allowing the distillers to develop different styles of new make spirit.
Classic Lark is matured in Australian fortified casks. These old oak, old wine vessels bring richness, complexity and spiciness to the whisky.
Lark has an on-site cooperage giving the brand an exceptional level of control of their maturation process.
Distillery Process
Lark's Pontville distillery is one of Tasmania's largest producers. Their traditional small stills ensure that Lark can continue to make oily, malty new make keeping Bill's original style of whisky alive.
Their Pontville site also has the ability to make whisky of different peat levels as well as triple distilled single malt. Their cooperage gives them ultimate control when it comes to heat treating their casks and their team of blenders ensure that Lark continues to push the boundaries when it comes to flavour creation.
Previous Whisky Club releases
The Whisky Club has featured 11 expressions from Lark from single casks to special batches created exclusively for our Members.
Lark Head Distiller's Release I - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
This release was distilled at Lark's Cambridge distillery and matured in 100L Australian Port (Tawny) and Sherry (Apera casks). Brought together by Lark's Head Distiller Chris Thomson, it showed off traditional Lark in all it's glory.
We found notes of citrus,ginger cake, syrup and chocolate.
Try this if you like Glenfarclas.
Lark Head Distiller's Release I - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: 45.6%
RRP: $135
Read more: Lark Head Distiller's Release I - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark Head Distiller's Release II - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
The second Head Distiller's release was a testament to the imagination and creativity of Lark in the mid 2010's. This one was finished in casks used for adding toastiness to sparkling wine from the Frogmore Creek winery next door to Lark's Cambridge site.
It has all the hallmarks of classic Lark but with an effervescent fruity finish.
We found notes of peach, pears and butterscotch.
Loch Lomond Sauternes Finish.
Lark Head Distiller's Release II - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%
RRP: 135$
Read more: Lark Head Distiller's Release II - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark Private Cask 9 years old - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Distilled in 2005 when Bill Lark was still on the tools, this whisky was a combination of two Seppeltsfield Tawny casks (LD166 & 167) that were reracked into a Bourbon barrel for finishing in 2008.
At the time, this was one of the oldest Larks in existence.
We found aromas of glazed orange, .crisp apples, vanilla and fairy floss.
Try this if you like Glenmorangie.
Lark Private Cask 9 years old - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: 9 years old
ABV: 46%
RRP: $230
Read more: Lark Private Cask 9 years old - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark Single Tawny Casks LD1063 and LD1162 - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
These single Tawny cask Larks were a hark back to the original Lark Cask Strength releases. Each one showcased the unique fingerprint (or should we say tongue print) of an individual cask from Seppeltsfield. LD1063 was a 6 year old release bottled exclusively for the Whisky Club, and to show off the unique nature of it, we bottled LD1162 beside it. These were bottled at natural cask strength. Real collectors pieces.
Bursting with notes of almonds, brown sugar and baked apple danish pastries.
Try this if you like The Macallan Cask Strength.
Lark Single Tawny Casks LD1063 and LD1162 - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: 6 years old
ABV: 60.3% and 61.7% ABV respectively
RRP: $350
Read more: Lark Single Tawny Casks LD1063 and LD1162 - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark Cask Strength PX Sherry Finish - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark's original Cask Strength releases used to show off how well this oily and robust single malt spirit from the Coal Valley distillery performed at the higher ABV of 58%. They were famously matured in some of the oldest fortified wine casks from South Australia.
This release brought Pedro Ximenez casks to the party. Never released before and never been seen since, it was one of Lark and The Club's most celebrated collaborations.
We found notes of oranges, dark chocolate and mixed berries.
Try this if you like The Glendronach Cask Strength.
Lark Cask Strength PX Sherry Finish - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: 58%
RRP: $200
Read more: Lark Cask Strength PX Sherry Finish - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark 30th Anniversary Edition - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Lark and the wider AUstralian craft whisky industry, Chris Thomson crafted something very special for our Members.
Blended from 100% peated stocks from Lark's Coal Valley distillery, this single malt was matured in 65% Port casks, 25% Sherry casks, 8% Bourbon casks and 2% Rum casks before being finished in award-winning Muscat casks from South Australia.
We found notes of sweet peat, orange blossom and butterscotch.
Try this if you like Springbank or Benromach.
Lark 30th Anniversary Edition - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: 52.5%
RRP: $200
Read more: Lark 30th Anniversary Edition - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark The Rising Tide - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
The second whisky crafted for our Members to celebrate 30 years of Lark was this blended malt from 6 Tasmanian distilleries. Named after Bill's mantra that a rising tide lifts all boats, it showcased the blending skill of Chris Thomson and his team who created a blended malt that was better than the sum of it's parts.
We found notes of maple syrup, apple crumble and coconut.
Try this if you like Scallywag.
Lark The Rising Tide - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: %
RRP: $
Read more: Lark The Rising Tide - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark Origins
The third and final 30th Anniversary Lark we featured was this, a homage to Chris Thomson and Bill Lark's neverending mission to understand flavour in whisky.
It was watered down with water from Lake Sorell. This was the Lake Bill was fishing with his father-in-law Max when he had the brainwave to start a distillery.
We found notes of orange blossom, milk chocolate and lemon curd.
Try this if you like Bruichladdich Islay Barley
Lark Origins
Age: NAS
ABV: 42%
RRP: $290
Read more: Lark Origins
Lark Rare Seppeltsfield Tawny Cask Matured - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
This was a hark back to Lark of old. Distilled at their Coal Valley distillery and matured in old oak, old Tawny casks from Seppeltsfield, this was one for the early adopters of Tasmanian whisky. WIth their recent move to Pontville, it's safe to say they won't make whisky like this again.
We found notes of dried fruit, plum pudding and roasted hazelnut.
Try this if you like Lark Classic Cask.
Lark Rare Seppeltsfield Tawny Cask Matured - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: 47.5%
RRP: $150
Read more: Lark Rare Seppeltsfield Tawny Cask Matured - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark French Oak Single Cask LDF688 - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
This single cask Lark may haev been matured in the most traceable oak cask ever. Coming from one of the oldest managed forests in Europe, the tree was 365 years old. The cask bore the date it was planted, the date it was felled and the exact location it grew.
This virgin oak cask brought notes of apricots, carame and fudge.
Simply unrepeatable.
Try this if you like The Glenlivet 15 French Oak.
Lark French Oak Single Cask LDF688 - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: 58.5%
RRP: $395
Read more: Lark French Oak Single Cask LDF688 - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark Rare Seppeltsfield Apera Cask Matured II - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
The second Lark Rare Seppeltsfield release shone a light on the winemaker's mastery of Sherry style fortified wine.
Distilled at Lark's Coal River distillery and matured AND finished in old oak, old fortified Apera casks, this is the modern take on Lark's legendary Sherry Sherry releases.
The cask make up was 75% Oloroso, 20% PX, 4% Amontillado and 1% Fino.
We found notes of walnuts, caramel fudge and cloves.
Try this if you like Tamdhu Batch Strength.
Lark Rare Seppeltsfield Apera Cask Matured II - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Age: NAS
ABV: 49%
RRP: $150
Read more: Lark Rare Seppeltsfield Apera Cask Matured II - created exclusively for The Whisky Club
Lark Distillery FAQ
What is Lark?
Lark was Tasmania's first craft single malt distillery and is considered as the spark that ignited the recent boom of distilling in Australia and New Zealand.
When was Lark Distilling Co. founded?
Lark was founded by Bill and Lyn Lark in 1992. After a fishing trip in 1989 with his father-in-law, Bill Lark pondered why nobody was making whisky in Tasmania. This started a 3 year mission to change antiquated laws to allow craft distilling in Australia. In 1992, the company was formed and is still going strong.
Where is Lark made?
These days Lark is made at Pontville on the historic Shene Estate. The site consists of a distillery, bottling line, cooperage, cellar door and warehousing.
It has previously produced whisky at Coal Valley distillery, Bothwell Distillery, Overeem Distillery, White Label Distillery, Richmond, Davey Street and in Bill's house.
What style of whisky does Lark produce?
Lark is known for producing oily, malty very lightly peated single malt whisky. They have dabbled in other styles historically including fruitier unpeated whisky from Bothwell and Overeem and bright and vibrant spirit from their mothballed column still.
How is Lark whisky unique?
Lark's use of Tasmanian peat adds a unique twist to their spirit. Their long fermentation and use of Australian fortified wine casks from South Australia also add to their signature style. The fermentation brings fruitiness while the casks lend an unmistakable plum pudding flavour.
What casks are used to mature Lark?
Lark primarily uses old Tawny and Apera casks from Seppeltsfield to mature their single malt whiskies. They have also been known to use rum, wine casks and Bourbon barrels on ocassion.
Does Lark produce limited editions?
Yes. Lark have become known for their vast array of limited editions from their celebrated Sherry Sherry releases to their rum cask finished malts and their annual Wolf of the Willows beer cask finished whiskies, Lark have garnered a reputation for producing flavour driven whiskies in small batches.
Has The Whisky Club released Lark before?
Yes. The Whisky Club has launched single casks, small batches and limited releases with Lark. We procured three limited editions for their 30th anniversary as well as their first sparkling wine cask finished whisky.
Is Lark suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. Lark's whisky is approachable and full of flavour. If you like a Port or Sherry cask dram, and want to support a local producer, then Lark is a great place to start. For many, it was the Tasmanian whisky that gave them faith in the Australian whisky category.
Can you visit Lark distillery?
Yes. The Lark whisky distillery is based at Pontville, about half an hour from Hobart in Tasmania. In addition, Members can enjoy perks at The Still or the Lark Cellar Door in the city as these are two of our Clubhouses in Tasmania.
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