Alba Whisky
Alba Whisky is an Australian, family-owned business working to distribute quality whisky and spirits throughout Australia. The McKinlay Clan have been involved in whisky appreciation in Australia for over 30 years, and are delighted to continue this tradition today. Alba are the Australian caretakers for a number of brands. At Whisky Fair this year they will be showcasing: Benromach, Gordon & MacPhail, Kilchoman and Single Malts of Scotland.
Amber Lane
Amber Lane is a whisky distillery based in the Yarramalong Valley on NSW's Central Coast. It was founded in 2017 by two amateur astronomers and friends, Rod Berry and Phil Townsend. The duo have since committed themselves to crafting excellent spirit and spared no expense in sourcing top quality, large format ex-bourbon barrels (primarily sourced from Heaven Hill) and bodega ex-Pedro Ximenez casks. They took their time with maturation, waiting until the whisky was ready for bottling, rather than rushing to market after the minimum 2 years. Rod will be at Whisky Fair pouring some of their outstanding releases, including the brand new Amber Lane Silk Road, which is being launched at the Fair.
Backwoods Distilling Co
Backwoods distillery in Yackandandah was founded in 2017, by Leigh and Bree Attwood, with the view to creating spirits that speak to the climate and flavours of the Victorian high country. They source their local grains from Voyager in the Riverina region and double distill through a 1,250 litre still (named "Stillvester" built by Burns Welding in Griffith.
Black Gate Distillery
The Black Gate Distillery is owned and run by Brian and Genise Hollingworth. They produce both Single Malt Whisky (headed up by Brian) and Dark Rum (headed up by Genise). An annual capacity of just 3,000 litres of whisky means it can be pretty hard to come by!
Fleurieu
Fleurieu Distillery is located on the Fleurieu Peninsula, south of the state's capital Adelaide. Previously the home of the Steam Exchange Brewery, the Goolwa site of GR Andrews & Sons had quietly been distilling whisky until they came to the knowledge of the national whisky community in 2017.
They have since established themselves as one of the most reliable and tasty producers of whisky in the modern wave of distillers.
Double distilled on site from Australian barley, the barrels are also matured on site in close proximity to the southern coast.
Lark Distilling Co.
Arguably the most famous name in Australian whisky, Lark was founded in 1992 by Bill and Lyn Lark, the first couple of the modern industry. Lynn, remains in the eyes of many, one of the greatest distillers to have worked in Australian whisky. Bill, the Godfather of Australian Whisky, has been inducted into the Whisky Hall of Fame for his tremendous effort and generosity of knowledge that has helped establish the modern Australian whisky industry. Today, Lark has the extremely talented Chris Thomson heading up the stills, and is a publicly traded company.