Hunter Island Distillery is the latest project from iconic distillers Damian and Madeleine Mackey, who have already ingrained themselves in Tasmanian whisky folklore with a legacy that only few can aspire to achieve. In 2007, Damian built a distillery in his home garage, deciding to triple distil his single malt as a tribute to his Irish heritage. The Mackey labelled whisky brand was then launched in 2015 and such was the quality of the whisky, it wasn’t long until the Mackey’s realised expansion would be inevitable with so many loyal followers enjoying the fruits of their passion. What followed was a temporary partnership at Shene distillery where Damian created the award-winning Poltergeist Gin whilst taking over distilling duties and vastly expanding his Mackey brand while working on Shene’s own whisky output.

In 2018, prior to the sale of Shene to Lark, Damian and Madeleine sold their shares in Shene aiming for a well-earned break. A year later, they returned to Ireland, and were struck by an industry transforming itself. In 2011 when they had visited, there had been just the three Irish distilleries; but in 2019 there were nearly 40, and most of them were producing single pot still whiskey. Clearly, people around the world were falling back in love with what was once the world’s favourite whiskey.

Upon their return, in 2020, the Mackey’s laid down their first Australian-made casks of pot still whisky in the Irish tradition under their Hunter Island Whisky label, and it’s now ready to drink! There are currently three expressions available, both with an Irish mashbill of 65% malted barley, 30% unmalted barley and 5% oats with Damian Mackey commenting; “…that’s the great thing about pot still whisky. As well as all the other factors you can vary for single malt whisky, you’ve suddenly got the mash bill to play with, and we’re really happy with the new make spirit”.

Today, the Mackey’s continue to produce Tasmanian pot still whisky on their equipment in New Town Tasmania whilst searching for a permanent home for Hunter Island Distillery that will be eventually open to the public. The future is certainly bright, and we cannot wait to visit and watch them grow.