Western Tiers is one of the more interesting distilleries in Tasmania. It was founded in 2021 by long-time friends and engineers Mark Kolodziej and Tim Freeman. The duo is behind one of the local industry’s most crucial enterprises, Stillsmiths Tasmania.

The still-making firm supplies premium distillation equipment to Tasmania’s spirits producers, and its expertise underpins some of the island’s largest and most sophisticated set-ups, including the Callington Mill and Adams distilleries.

But not content with simply supplying the equipment, Kolodziej and Freeman decided to jump into the game themselves and create their own distillery, Western Tiers. The distillery acts as both a prototype showcase for prospective distillers and a producer of quality single malt whisky, gin and other spirits.

Following the Irish tradition, Western Tiers produces triple-distilled single malt whiskey, and its own version of Ireland’s infamous moonshine spirit, poitin.

The distillery, located in the historic village of Westbury, 25 minutes out of Launceston, lies at the foot of the majestic Great Western Tiers. For anyone interested in getting an in-depth rundown on the distilling process while trying excellent Tasmanian spirits, this is the place to visit.