In October 2021, Tasmanian whisky company Lark Distilling acquired the Kernke Family Shene Estate in a deal purportedly worth up to $40 million AU. It was reported that the purchase included 40 acres of land and buildings, a cellar door, a working cooperage, the 130,000-litre distillery, eight bond houses and the historic stables and homestead. The acquisition of the Shene estate will become Lark’s third working distillery in Tasmania, alongside its Bothwell and Cambridge sites and will sky-rocket the in-house production of Lark whisky from 195,000 litres a year to over 550,000 litres each year.

The newly acquired Shene Estate is located at 76 Shene Road, Pontville and is home to one of Tasmania’s largest copper pot stills. Every time we’re in Tasmania, visiting Shene is one of the highlights of our trip and although we’ll miss David Kerkne and his family, we’re hoping Lark continues their legacy of conservation, humility and country charm that the Kerkne’s were known for. Stay tuned for new releases coming soon!

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