Overeem Port Cask

Recognised as one of the ‘original’ Tasmanian single malts, the Overeem whisky journey began in 2007 when local whisky enthusiast Casey Overeem was seeking a hobby to occupy his time in retirement. Casey’s interest in whisky was sparked back in the early 1980s when he had his first distilling experience in a relative’s basement in Norway, an experience that stayed with him for decades and eventually inspired him to make his own malt whisky. Following years of research and experimentation, he secured his distiller’s license in 2005 and constructed a purpose-built operation in his front yard, overlooking the Derwent River in Hobart.

Casey was joined five years later by his youngest daughter, Jane, a sales and marketing professional with an equally keen interest in whisky, and together the pair became a much-loved and formidable force for the fledgling Australian whisky industry. After launching its first releases in 2012, the Overeem brand quickly gained popularity. Within two years, it had built a cult-like following with entire barrels regularly selling out within minutes online.

In 2014, the business had grown well beyond Casey’s original intention and when a group of local investors who had recently purchased Lark Distillery approached him, Casey reluctantly decided it was time to officially enter retirement, while Jane stayed with Overeem under the new ownership.

After two years working within the new corporate structure, Jane left to realise her own whisky dream with her husband Mark and in 2016 they founded their own family distillery, Sawford Distillery, operating at the same location where Casey’s dream had begun almost a decade earlier.

The Overeem and Lark whisky businesses meanwhile continued to flourish under the ownership of Australian Whisky Holdings. As we’ve seen happen countless times in Scotch, a change of focus at the corporate level lead to a very timely and fortuitous opportunity for Jane and Mark when, after almost three years of crafting whisky at Sawford Distillery, they were offered the chance to regain ownership of Overeem, effectively returning the brand to its founding family. A delighted and emotional Casey made the announcement to the family on New Year’s Eve 2019 and as of June 30th 2020, the brand was officially back to the family. Never at ease with full retirement, Casey returned in a ‘casual’ brand ambassador role, joining Jane and Mark in their Huntingfield distillery.

On the neck of each bottle of Overeem are the words “Born of Promise”. Casey Overeem made a promise to himself in the late 1980s that one day he would make a premium whisky that would stand alongside the best whiskies in the world. That promise was fulfilled and has now been passed on to his children.

Mark and Jane intend to keep that promise for their children.