An Australian whisky distillery set up in an old Airport hangar…? Well that made our Spidey senses stand up and take notice – and the fact that this hanger is producing whisky of premium quality, well that’s a win, win in our opinion.

Launceston Distillery was established in 2013 and is the first distillery in the Launceston area to be granted a production license since the Distillation Prohibition Act of 1839. It sits proudly at 287 Evandale Road, Western Junction in the heart of Tasmania, based at Launceston Airport’s Hangar 17 – the state’s oldest commercial aviation building. The distillery was formed by head distiller Chris Condon and friends, whisky enthusiasts with a fine attention to detail with Chris being the first distiller at Nant Distillery, laying the foundations for that company’s early success between 2008 and 2011. The distillery has given new life to the disused Hangar 17, which has played a significant role in the country’s aviation history as home to Australian National Airways and Ansett. It produces a number of whisky varieties matured in either bourbon, tawny (Australian port) or apera (Australian sherry) casks, and will soon be launching a number of releases that will raise money for local charities and organisations.