Our Story
Every distillery has a story, and ours began in 2016 when Mark Kolodziej and Tim Freeman founded Stillsmiths Tasmania, designing and fabricating premium distillation equipment for Tasmania’s growing spirits industry. As they built stills for other distilleries and watched the Tasmanian spirits scene continue to grow, they began to wonder what it might be like to put their own stills to work.
The idea was simple: create a distillery of their own, where they could put their knowledge and equipment to the test and create spirits they were genuinely proud to share.
That idea began to take shape in 2018, when work started on transforming the old Kolmark workshop in Westbury into what would become Western Tiers Distillery. It was a natural evolution, bringing together years of craftsmanship and experience with a new love for the art of distilling.
By 2021, the first spirit was flowing, and the doors to the distillery were open.
Since then, the story has continued to grow, shaped not only by the stills and the spirits they produce, but by the people behind them.
Our distiller, John Scott, has been part of that story from the beginning. A boilermaker and craftsman by trade, John was involved in installing our stills and distilling equipment before stepping into the role of distiller himself. Today, under the guidance of Master Distiller Damian Mackey, he brings together his practical knowledge, patience and genuine love of the craft to every spirit that leaves the distillery.
From those first batches of gin and vodka to whisky patiently resting in oak for years before it is ready, the range has grown alongside the distillery. Along the way, there have been awards, new releases, plenty of learning and a growing community of people who enjoy what we make.
But at its heart, not much has changed.
We still believe in making things well, taking the time to get the details right and creating spirits that are worth sharing.
From the foot of the Great Western Tiers, that's what we're here to do.
And we're only getting started.
The Road We've Travelled
The idea starts to take shape
Work began on transforming the old Kolmark workshop in Westbury into a working distillery. It was the first step towards bringing the idea of Western Tiers Distillery to life, right beneath the Great Western Tiers.
The doors open
After years of planning, building and plenty happening behind the scenes, the cellar door opened to the public.
Our First Gin
The first batch of gin went on sale. After years of building the distillery and preparing the stills, seeing that first spirit ready to share was a pretty special moment for the team.
A new spirit joins the range
Our first batch of poitín was released, giving us another opportunity to explore the craft of distilling and create something a little different.
The whisky journey begins
Our first barrel of whisky was laid down to mature. We knew it would be some time before we could share it, but good whisky takes time, and we were happy to let the barrels do their thing.
Vodka joins the range
Our first batch of vodka went on sale, adding another spirit to the growing Western Tiers family.
The first recognition
Our spirits began receiving recognition beyond Westbury, with Silver medals for Dry's Bluff Gin and Nell's Bluff Gin at the Australian Gin Awards. We also collaborated with Heartwood Malt Whisky and Adams Distillery to create a barrel-aged gin, which was named Australia's Best Matured Gin at the World Gin Awards.
The range continues to grow
Nells Bluff Gin received Gold at the Australian Gin Awards, while Dry's Bluff Gin picked up Bronze. We were also awarded Silver at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards, recognising the experience we had created here at the distillery.
A big year for Western Tiers
There was plenty to celebrate in 2023. We were named Festivale's Best Beverage Stall, while Quamby Bluff Sloe Gin received Gold and Best in Class at the Australian Gin Awards
Our first whisky is released
After years of patiently maturing in oak, Western Lakes Port Cask was released. It marked an important moment for the distillery and the first chance for people to taste the whisky we had been waiting years to share.
Thousand Lakes joins the range
Thousand Lakes Sherry was released, offering another expression of our Tasmanian single malt and showing just how much character can come from time, patience and the right cask.
Taking Western Tiers further afield
We began attending Whisky Live events in Australian capital cities, giving us the opportunity to introduce our whiskies to people across the country and share a little piece of Westbury with them.
Highland Lakes arrives
Highland Lakes Bourbon joined the range, adding another dram to our growing collection of Tasmanian single malt whiskies.
The recognition continues
2025 brought another Festivale Best Beverage Stall win, along with Gold for Thousand Lakes and Bronze for Western Lakes and Highland Lakes at the Australian International Spirit Awards.
Our whiskies also received international recognition at the London Spirits Competition, with Gold for Western Lakes and Silver for both Thousand Lakes and Highland Lakes.
Three whiskies. Three Golds
Western Lakes, Thousand Lakes and Highland Lakes each received Gold at the London Spirits Competition. It was a pretty special result and one we're proud to share, particularly when we think back to that first barrel laid down in 2021.
Our mobile distillery hits the road
Designed to bring the Western Tiers experience to events, weddings and celebrations.
