Tasmanian Whisky Week has kicked off after the state’s distilleries dominated this year’s World Whiskies Awards, claiming almost three-quarters of Australia’s honours.
The milestone festival marks its 10th year after Tasmanian distilleries claimed 94 of Australia’s 133 awards at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards in London – 72% of the accolades on offer.
Cambridge’s Sullivans Cove won World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt for an unprecedented fourth time.
Greenbanks Tasmanian Whisky co in Bridgewater won World’s Best Single Rye, while Lark claimed World’s Best Range and Packaging Design.
Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association president and Killara Distillery founder Kristy Lark-Booth said the results reinforced Tasmania’s standing as a global whisky destination.
“Tasmania produces the world’s best whisky and it’s not just us saying it,” she said.
“The world has recognised that we’re making something extraordinary down here.”
She said half of the ticket holders for events are from the mainland or further beyond.
Minister for Small Business Guy Barnett said the whisky industry had become one of the state’s greatest export success stories.
“Tasmanian whisky has earned a global reputation for excellence and recent international accolades have reinforced our position as one of the world’s premier whisky-producing regions,” Barnett said.
“Our distilleries are not only producing award-winning whisky – they’re creating jobs, attracting visitors, driving investment and taking Tasmania’s premium food and beverage story to markets across the globe.”
The nine-day festival features tastings, tours and events across the state, with tickets selling quickly for its flagship event, the Tasmanian Whisky Showcase on Saturday, August 8.
“The Showcase brings together 40 of Tasmania’s finest distilleries under one roof at PW1 in Hobart,” Lark-Booth said.
“This is a must-attend event, whether you are a whisky enthusiast or new to whisky.”
Tasmanian Whisky Week began in 2016 with a handful of distilleries and has since grown to feature more than 40, reflecting the rapid growth of the state’s internationally recognised whisky industry.
Tickets to the Tasmanian Whisky Showcase are available at taswhiskyweek.com.
