Lark Distillery celebrated its 30th anniversary on Thursday May 26 in a gala event at its new site in Pontville, Tasmania, formerly known as Shene Estate.
Founding fathers of Tasmanian whisky, Bill Lark and Patrick Maguire, reflected on the last three decades of challenges and success in a fireside chat at the event, which was attended by 200 guests from across Australia.
“It’s quite amazing to be sitting here surrounded by 80-odd distilleries in Tasmania and nearly 400 throughout Australia after just 30 years,” Bill Lark told Drinks Adventures.
Advertisement
“Thirty years ago it was Lyn and I at our kitchen table, all on our own. Now we’ve got this wonderful industry around us,” he said.
“I really like to think that our industry wouldn’t be as strong a brand as it is around the world, without all these great people that believe in collegiality, in the sense that if we help each other to make a good spirit, it’s going to help us all.”
The night started by honouring the Mumurimina Country that Lark at Pontville resides on, with a Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony by Ochre Rain followed by a wild Tasmanian dinner with entrees curated by renowned local chefs Analiese Gregory and Jamie Yates, as well as Aboriginal kitchen Palawa Kipli.
At dinner, MCed by Bill’s son and fellow distiller Jack Lark, the company debuted its Rare Cask Glenfarclas Single Malt Whisky, along with another new commemorative release, Origins Single Malt Whisky.
Lark Rare Cask Series Glenfarclas ($999) is finished in casks that once held Glenfarclas 20-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
It acknowledges the 30-year friendship between Bill Lark and John Grant of Glenfarclas, who helped Lark in his quest to make the first Australian whisky of the modern era.
Origins ($299) meanwhile has been aged in Australian fortified casks and cut with water from Lake Sorrel, the same water source used by Lark when it began its journey in 1992.
“Glenfarclas and Origins Single Malt Whisky are both a unique tribute to the significance of whisky-making not only for Lark but for Australia,” says Lark.
“Both are a celebration of Tasmanian whisky and rich in character and heavy with history.
“On behalf of the entire team, Lark raises a glass to what has become a world recognised whisky, a taste of Tassie’s tiny island.”
More:
Investor backs Lark Distilling following CEO’s shock exit
Lark Distilling MD Geoff Bainbridge on Shene deal & more: S11E4
Lark Distilling Co starts new era for Tasmanian whisky on ASX
