Spirted drinkers have shown their insatiable thirst for Australian whisky.
Freed from the shackles of tradition, Australian distillers are driven by climate, curiosity and a healthy disregard for “the way it’s always been done”.
And with warmer maturation favouring the bold and experimental casks adding intrigue, Australian whiskies are expressive, flavour-forward, and unmistakably their own.
Different from their Scottish forefathers. And proud of it.
A brief (and rebellious) history of Australian Whisky
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Here’s Trouble - Early 1800s
Australia’s whisky history starts with grit. In the early 1800s, convicts and settlers turned to home distillation. It wasn’t fancy. But it did the job.
Everything’s Above Board - 1822
Tasmania (then Van Diemen’s Land) hosted Australia’s first legal distillery. For a brief, glorious moment, things looked promising.
Then prohibition arrived and shut the whole operation down. By the late 20th century, it had nearly vanished. -
Gold Fever, Liquid Courage – 1850s
The Victorian Gold Rush brought thirsty miners and a sudden need for whisky. Distilleries sprang up, demand surged, and Australia found itself producing whisky at scale.
The Comeback – 1990s
Rules loosened. Distillers returned. Bill Lark kicked the door open in Tasmania, and others followed.
Names like Lark, Sullivans Cove, Starward, and Morris rewrote the script and started getting their names on award lists.
Back Where We Belong – Now
In many ways, Australian whisky is simply picking up where it left off. History is repeating itself, only this time, with better barrels.
The Barrel Lane Approach to Australian Whiskey
Barrel Lane Whisky Club exists to find the whiskeys you won’t stumble across at your local.
We work closely with Australia’s most exciting distilleries to curate small-batch, often one-off releases, bottles made in limited numbers and often, never repeated.
Here you’ll find thoughtful curation, guided by flavour, technique, and story.
Exploring the Full Spectrum of Australian Whisky
Across the club, members explore the full range of Australian whiskey styles: expressive single malts, spicy and structured ryes, delicately peated releases, and world-class Tasmanian whiskies shaped by place and climate.
Every delivery includes tasting notes, distillery stories, and the occasional extra… so you’re not just drinking Australian whisky, you’re learning the language.
Curious what’s come before? See our Releases to see the bottles already gone.
PAST RELEASES
January 2026
OUT OF STOCK
REMNANT WHISKY CO.
KEMPTON, TAS
BLWC2 'The Black Spot' Exclusive Single Malt Whisky 700ml | 46% ABV
Barrel Lane Member’s Price $165
A rare 10+ year old single malt from Tasmania. Matured first in Bothwell, then finished in their cool, dry bond store in Kempton, BLWC2 is built on a foundation of sherry and bourbon casks.
REMNANT WHISKY CO.
KEMPTON, TAS
BLWC2 'The Black Spot' Exclusive Single Malt Whisky 700ml | 46% ABV
Barrel Lane Member’s Price $165
A rare 10+ year old single malt from Tasmania. Matured first in Bothwell, then finished in their cool, dry bond store in Kempton, BLWC2 is built on a foundation of sherry and bourbon casks.
Drawn from some of Tasmania’s rarest rescued whisky stock, this 10+ year old single malt comes from Remnant Whisky Co. — a label founded in the wake of the Nant collapse to salvage and steward abandoned casks with care and integrity.Remnant releases are typically bottled in 500ml, but this one-off 700ml edition was crafted exclusively for Barrel Lane. It’s a rare opportunity to experience a defining chapter in Australian whisky, matured to its peak and bottled with purpose.
What Our Members Are Saying..
★★★★★ 4.8 Average from 300+ Reviews
Discover Australian Whisky, the Barrel Lane Way
Savour exclusive, one-time Australian whisky releases, sourced with care and crafted just for our members.
Want the long version? Read how Barrel Lane came to be, then explore the journal, where Australian whisky gets thoughtful, weird, and worth talking about.
FAQs:
What are the most popular Australian whiskies?
Australian whisky has been making serious waves internationally, and a few names keep popping up on collectors’ shelves and tasting notes. Standouts include Lark, Sullivans Cove, Starward, Morris and Hellyers Road.
These distilleries consistently deliver quality, award-winning releases, from approachable single malts to experimental, small-batch innovations.
But don’t be mistaken. Popularity doesn’t mean predictable. These whiskies are loved for flavour, character and story as much as their medals.
Are Australian whisky brands small or independent?
Most Australian whisky brands are proudly independent and small-batch. That independence allows distillers to prioritise flavour and creativity over mass production, often releasing whiskies in limited quantities that won’t be repeated.
How to get Australian whisky delivered to your house?
The simplest way is to join a whisky subscription service like Barrel Lane, where handpicked, small-batch whiskies arrive at your door every 1–2 months. Each delivery includes tasting notes, distillery information and occasional extras, and you’ll be able to opt out whenever you want.