History

Timboon Railway Shed Distillery is an Australian distillery in Timboon, VIC, which since 2007 has produced true small-batch single malt whisky on site. It sits in a renovated railway shed and offers a wide range of products—from single malt whiskies to gin, rum, liqueurs and merchandise. They tout themselves as the home of the largest collection of Australian Craft Spirits in an Australian distillery and have a clear focus on 'sense of place' and craftsmanship. The family and the team around the distillery—especially Josh Walker, owner and distiller—are at the heart of the production, and guests are invited to experience the historical connection between the region and the production. Their area also celebrates local craftsmanship, for example through their own Cooperage and a strong focus on local meat and food with products such as ABecett's Creek Beef in the kitchen.

Production / Manufacturing

The distillery produces its products in a copper pot still, and owner and distiller Josh Walker normally runs the distillation six days a week, producing new spirit for the range of products. The basic approach focuses on malted barley as the sole grain in the mashing shed, which underpins their identity as true single malt whisky.

Their own Cooperage (ABeeckett's Creek Cooperage) is available to shape and toast new casks and repurpose used casks for, e.g., plant boxes and hogheads. In 2020, another, larger still was installed on site, and the distillery therefore established their own Coopersace to support the growth of their whisky and other products.

In addition to single malt whisky they also produce gin, rum and liqueurs as well as merchandise. They highlight that their Spirit Wall displays over 200 Australian craft spirits, and that they are part of the larger Timboon experience through various tours and tastings.

Products / Whisky Series

Timboon produces a range of single malt whiskies, with the four core products being:

PORT EXPRESSION (200ml and 500ml)

• ABV around 44% (the 200ml bottle lists 44% ABV) and aged in American oak casks, ex-Port. Notes: golden amber color, nose with honey, port fruit and spice notes; the palate is fruit-forward with vanilla and a light smoke haze at the finish.

TOM'S SURRENDER (200ml and 500ml)

• ABV 50% (per the 200ml/500ml pages) and aged in French oak, ex-Sherry. Notes: soaked sultana raisins, florals, Golden Syrup; the palate offers woody spices, rose petals and a finish with cedar wood and burnt caramel.

SMOKY 1881 (200ml and 500ml)

• ABV 47%. Aged in 200 L+ American casks and ex-tawny port cask. Notes: light peat note, floral notes, apricot and a spicy finish with smoke and spice.

CHRISTIE'S CUT (200ml and 500ml)

• ABV 60%. Premium, cask-strength single malt, aged in French port casks. Notes: big, bold character with burnt raisins, smoke and spices; a long finish.

In addition, there are descriptive products and bundles such as 5L Whisky Barrel (cask or cask & whisky), Hog Head Sets and Timboon Taster (6 x 50 ml), which provide the opportunity to experience the full portfolio and especially the four core whiskies.

The distillery also highlights other spirit types such as Railyard Rum, Salted Caramel Whisky Liqueur, Strawberry Schnapps, Limoncello, and Coffee Cream, which shows a broad portfolio beyond whisky. Their spirits list underlines the Australian craft storytelling and supports a broader creativity and flavor profile.

Visiting / Experiences

Timboon Distillery is open daily from 10:00 to 16:30 for tastings, and lunch is served from 11:00 to 14:00 (reservations recommended). They offer a range of experiences and tours around the Distillery, Bond Store and Cooperage.

Nip of Knowledge Tour is a guided tour that includes a tasting and the opportunity to see the stills in operation. The tour is held on Fridays and Saturdays at 14:30–15:30 and Sundays 10:00–11:00. Booking is required, minimum 2 and maximum 10 participants. The tour lasts about 60 minutes and includes a Timboon tote bag, a carved Glencairn glass, and a bottle of water. Tastings cost 20 USD and can be offset against the purchase of a bottle of Timboon Whisky.

The distillery features the Australian Spirit Wall—the largest collection of Australian craft spirits in the country, where guests can taste or purchase from the wall selection.

The Cooperage facility (ABeeckett's Creek Cooperage) provides the opportunity to observe cask customization and refinement and other craft projects, and the distillery markets itself as part of the Timboon Rail Trail and the local food trail, making it a significant part of the region's tourist offering.

Philosophy

Timboon Distillery places a strong emphasis on creating a strong sense of place and culture—a experience where history, craftsmanship and character meet over a glass of whisky. They highlight their production as true small-batch craft whisky, inspired by the older whisky traditions from Scotland and Ireland, and combine that with modern ways of expressing Australian craft in collaboration with other craft distilleries through the Aussie Craft Spirits Wall. The production and the experience around The Shed give guests a deeper understanding of the region and whisky's history in Timboon. The distillery also emphasizes their on-site Cooperage and their collaboration with local producers as part of the overall experience and value chain.