A still outside her childhood bedroom door meant Kristy Lark grew up with distilling in her everyday view.
Now, she has been named the inaugural Distiller of the Year at the Australian Distillers Association conference in Adelaide.
A second-generation distiller, she has spent 29 years in the spirits industry.
Her parents, Bill and Lyn Lark, are pioneers of the Australian whisky industry.
She was head distiller and general manager at Lark Distillery before it was sold in 2013.
She then started Killara Distillery in the Coal Valley near Richmond, which will celebrate its 10 year anniversary later this year.
“I started Killara Distillery in 2016 because I am passionate about the distilling industry and I wanted to grow the family legacy in my own way, while continuing the traditions of my pioneering parents,” she said.
“I am honoured to be recognised as the inaugural Distiller of the Year at these awards.”
“It shines a light on all the work I have put into the industry over the years.”
Sarah Prowse from Four Pillars Gin shared the award, with judges electing to recognise two winners in the category.
At Killara, the team produces single malt whisky, gin, vodka and seasonal liqueurs, with brandy set to launch later this year.
The distillery sits on 26 acres where botanicals are grown on site, including juniper for gin, with trial patches of barley for whisky.
Lark described the approach as “garden to glass”, with all products made and bottled by hand using locally made copper pot stills.
Beyond distilling, Lark is president of the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association and founded the Australian Women in Distilling Association in 2016 to champion women in the industry.
Tasmania claimed three of the five category wins at the inaugural awards.
Callington Mill Distillery won the Safety Award and Furneaux Distillery took out the Sustainability and Responsibility Award.
Nicole Lestal, the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association industry development officer, said the results spoke to the depth of talent in the state.
“To take home three of five awards at the inaugural Australian Distillers Association Awards – including Distiller of the Year – is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of how far this industry has come,” she said.
“This follows an equally impressive performance at the World Whiskies Awards in January, where Tasmanian distilleries won 72% of all Australian awards.”
“From Flinders Island to the Huon Valley, our distillers are setting standards that the rest of the country looks to.”
Lark said the recognition was a boost for the whole state.
“There’s a lot of people out there doing some amazing things, and the fact that at these awards, Tasmania won three of the categories, which is amazing,” she said.
“It just highlights how fantastic it is down here in Tasmania to be distilling.”
Killara Distillery will mark its 10 year anniversary with a special whisky release during Tasmanian Whisky Week in August.
