Premium Spirits Tour

Whisky country begins outside Hobart. This seven-and-a-half-hour outing takes you through the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands to three distilleries, with guided tastings of up to 12 whiskies and spirits along the way. I like the small-production focus and the chance to see places that can be hard to reach without a car.

I also like the personal touch from guides such as Tim, Ben, Pete, Gino, and Jack, who bring different personalities to the day. The main thing to watch is the changing itinerary: exact distilleries depend on availability, and lunch details are not fully consistent, so you should confirm what is included before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Three distilleries in one day: You get a broad look at Tasmanian whisky and gin rather than a single-brand visit.
• Up to 12 tastings: The number of pours can vary by stop, and one venue may offer much less than the others.
• Small-batch producers: The tour can reach independent distilleries you might struggle to find on your own.
• Country scenery included: The drive through the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands adds more than just time between tastings.
• Lunch needs checking: A local lunch is described in the experience, but lunch is also listed as not included.
• Flexible venue selection: The advertised stops are examples, so the final route may change with industry demand and availability.

What this Hobart whisky tour is really about

Tasmanian whisky has earned a strong reputation, but the producers are spread across the island. From Hobart, visiting several distilleries independently can mean planning a route, arranging a designated driver, and working around opening hours. This tour handles the driving and links three producers into one day.

That makes it useful for you if you want more than a tasting-room visit. You get a look at how whisky and gin are made, hear about the local industry, and compare different approaches in quick succession. The day also includes views across the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands, so the outing feels like a regional food and drink trip rather than a series of cellar-door stops.

The tour begins at Brooke Street Pier in Hobart at 10:00 am. You return to the same meeting point at the end, with an air-conditioned vehicle provided. A mobile ticket keeps the arrival process simple, though you should allow enough time to find the pier and be ready before departure.

Why the three-distillery format works

A single distillery can give you a detailed look at one producer. Three in one day gives you comparison, which is more useful if you are still learning what you like.

You might notice differences in the style of whisky, the way each producer talks about ingredients and production, and the balance between whisky and gin. The tour is described as a whisky experience, but the actual mix can include gin as well. For many people, that is a welcome surprise. If you only want whisky and have little interest in gin, ask about the expected route before booking.

The venues also appear to vary in scale. Some are small producers focused on quality and limited batches, while a better-known stop such as Lark may feel more commercial by comparison. That contrast is part of the value. You see more than one version of Tasmanian spirits, rather than getting a polished presentation from only one company.

The exact stops are not fixed. This matters. A particular distillery you have your heart set on may not be on the route that day. The operator can change destinations because of availability and industry demands, so treat the listed venues as examples rather than a guarantee.

Behind the scenes, not just a tasting counter

The strongest part of the experience is the access to the whisky-making process. The tour promises behind-the-scenes visits at three distilleries, which gives the day more substance than simply drinking a flight of samples.

You can expect the guides and distillery staff to explain how spirits are produced, along with the story of Tasmania’s growing whisky industry. The amount of technical detail will depend on the venue and the guide, but the format gives you a chance to ask questions as you go.

The guides are an important part of the day. Tim is praised for his strong knowledge of Tasmanian whisky and gin, as well as his ability to keep the group engaged. Ben is described as interesting and entertaining, with a knack for introducing smaller distilleries. Pete, also referred to as Peter, brings humor and a relaxed tone. Gino and Jack have also led the experience, with the history of Tasmanian whisky forming part of their presentation.

That rotation means the tone may differ from one departure to the next. You should expect a host-led day rather than a silent transfer between tasting rooms. For a seven-and-a-half-hour outing, that human element matters.

Tasting up to 12 whiskies and spirits

The headline tasting allowance is up to 12 different whiskies. That is a substantial amount, but do not assume the pours will be divided evenly between all three stops.

One reported pattern included several samples at most venues, while the Lark stop offered only one taste. That does not make the stop worthless, but it does show why the word up to matters. Your final total can depend on the producers visited and what they have available.

The experience can also include gin. This broadens the tasting for anyone who enjoys Australian craft spirits, and it gives you a break from comparing whisky after whisky. It may also help a mixed group, especially if one person is more interested in gin than single malt.

I would approach the tastings as a guided introduction, not a buying mission. Pay attention to the explanations, compare styles, and note what appeals to you. The small-batch focus means you may encounter bottles that are not widely available in Hobart or outside Tasmania.

Because alcohol is central to the day, make practical plans. The tour includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you are not responsible for driving between venues. Guests under 18 are not permitted.

The country drive through the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands

The scenery is an important part of the experience, even though the whisky gets top billing. Leaving Hobart takes you into the Coal Valley and Southern Midlands, giving you a look at the rural setting around the distilleries.

This drive creates breathing room between tastings. You are not spending the whole day inside tasting rooms, and the changing views help the schedule feel like an excursion. If you enjoy seeing how regional products connect to their surroundings, this is a better choice than a short tasting close to the city.

The route is also one reason to use a guided tour. Some of the small producers can be difficult to locate without local knowledge, and you would need to coordinate several visits yourself. Here, the operator handles the road journey and the day’s sequence.

There is a trade-off. Seven and a half hours is a serious block of your Hobart itinerary. If your time in Tasmania is short, compare this with your other priorities. It is not a quick afternoon activity you can squeeze between two major sights.

Lunch in Richmond, with one important question

Richmond appears in the day’s food plans, and the local lunch receives particularly warm praise. One menu item specifically mentioned is a ploughman’s lunch at Old Kempton, described as an outstanding part of the day. Another account highlights a great local lunch in Richmond.

This is more than a convenient meal break. A proper lunch gives you time to settle in, talk with the group, and avoid treating the tour as seven hours of alcohol on an empty stomach. It also adds a regional food element to the outing.

But the booking details contain a clear inconsistency. The overview describes lunch as included, while the inclusions list only alcoholic beverages and an air-conditioned vehicle, and the exclusions specifically say lunch is not included.

You should ask Drink Tasmania Premium Tours exactly what the current arrangement is. If lunch is extra, bring a payment method and budget for it. If a meal is included on your departure, confirm what type of lunch is provided. This is the one practical detail I would not leave to chance.

Small group size and the feel of the day

The experience is promoted as a small-group tour, with a maximum of 11 people. A separate operating note gives a maximum of 16 travelers, so the actual group limit is not perfectly clear.

Even at 16, this is likely to feel more personal than a large coach excursion. A smaller group makes it easier to hear the guide, ask questions, and talk with the people around you during the drive. It also suits distillery visits, where a large crowd can make a tasting feel rushed.

The guide’s role becomes more noticeable in a small group. Tim, Ben, Pete, Gino, and Jack are all associated with friendly, engaging departures, but you should remember that the individual guide is not guaranteed. The quality of the day depends partly on who is leading it and which distilleries are open.

The group format works best if you enjoy shared experiences. You will spend most of a full day with the same people, so this is not ideal if you want complete independence or a private tasting.

Is the $222.35 price good value?

At $222.35 per person, this is not a cheap tasting. The value comes from adding several services together: return transport from central Hobart, a full-day route, three distillery visits, guided tastings, and access to small producers.

If you paid separately for transport, several tastings, and a meal, the total could rise quickly. You also avoid the cost and responsibility of driving after drinking. For someone without a rental car, the price is easier to justify because it solves a real transport problem.

The value is less certain if you already have a car and plan to visit only one or two distilleries. In that case, a self-planned route may offer more control and possibly lower spending, though you would need to arrange a sober driver and confirm opening hours.

The lunch question affects the calculation. Since lunch is listed both as included and not included, do not compare the price with a meal-included tour until the operator confirms the current policy.

The tour is commonly booked about 28 days in advance. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your Hobart dates are fixed, especially because the experience requires a minimum number of participants and the final route depends on availability.

What can be disappointing?

The main weakness is the lack of certainty around the exact stops. If you are booking specifically for Lark, Killara, Hobart Distillery, or another named producer, you may not visit that venue. The route is built around availability, not a permanently fixed list.

The tasting count can also vary. Up to 12 samples sounds generous, but one stop may offer only one pour while another provides several. You should judge the tour by its overall access and variety, not by expecting four equal tastings at every venue.

Lunch needs clarification, as noted above. A local meal can be a highlight, but the booking information does not give you a firm answer about whether it is covered in the price.

Finally, the day is tightly focused on spirits. If you do not drink whisky or gin, you will get little from the tour. It is also not suitable for anyone under 18.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Whisky drinkers who want to compare several Tasmanian producers.
• Gin fans who like the idea of a mixed spirits itinerary.
• Visitors without a car who want to reach rural distilleries safely.
• Curious beginners who want a guide to explain what they are tasting.
• Couples and small groups who prefer a full-day regional outing.
• People who enjoy meeting independent producers rather than visiting only famous brands.

You may want another plan if you have no interest in gin, dislike shared tours, or need a guaranteed visit to one particular distillery. The changing route is a feature for some people and a drawback for others.

The tour is accessible to most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation at the meeting point, and confirmation is normally sent at booking. Changes or cancellations made at least 24 hours before the 10:00 am start qualify for a full refund. A departure can also be changed or refunded if the minimum group size is not reached.

Should you book the Premium Spirits Tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, social way to sample Tasmania’s whisky and gin scene beyond Hobart. The combination of three distilleries, country roads, a host-led format, and transport makes the price reasonable for a spirits enthusiast, particularly if you would otherwise struggle to reach the producers.

I would book with two questions first: Which venues are planned for my date, and is lunch included? Once those points are clear, this looks like a strong choice for a full day of Tasmanian spirits, especially if you value small producers and personal guidance more than a fixed checklist of famous names.

FAQ

Where does the Premium Spirits Tour start?

The tour starts at Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Wharf, Hobart, Tasmania 7000.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at Brooke Street Pier, the original meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

How many distilleries does the tour visit?

The experience visits three different whisky distilleries, although the exact destinations can change based on availability and industry demand.

How many whiskies can I taste?

You can sample up to 12 different whiskies and spirits. The number offered at each stop may vary.

Is gin included?

Yes. The experience can include guided tastings of gin as well as Tasmanian whisky.

Is lunch included in the price?

The available information is inconsistent. The overview describes lunch as included, while the exclusions say lunch is not included. Confirm the current lunch arrangement before booking.

Are children allowed on the tour?

No. Guests under 18 are not permitted.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.