McHenry Distillery

About the distillery, in brief

McHenry Distillery is located in Port Arthur on Tasmania’s wind-swept Tasman Peninsula, and claims to be the world’s southernmost distillery and brewery. The family makes whisky, gin, and other spirits on site using water from five natural springs and slow maturation in the cool, ocean-influenced climate. It’s a place where ingredients, water, and the local climate are part of the whisky’s identity.

History

The story begins with Bill McHenry, who, after years in the pharmaceutical industry in Sydney and the USA, decides to create something more tangible. In 2007, he starts looking for a location where he can make whisky and gin in an environment suited to slow, calm maturation. Along with Alison, he finds a secluded property on the Tasman Peninsula in Port Arthur, with five natural springs, clean air, and a cool, ocean-influenced climate.

What starts as one man’s vision becomes a family business. Alison is involved from the beginning, and all three children leave their mark on the build. Hamish helps with the Salamanca Market stall and with constructing the iconic barrel vault; Katie contributes during the startup years and today works with legal and contractual matters; and Lucy is responsible for brand and marketing. The family is therefore not just around the distillery—it’s woven into it.

At the same time, McHenry builds its production around its own brewery and its own copper pot stills. Tight control from start to finish is a hallmark, and today the distillery stands as one of Tasmania’s respected producers, clearly rooted in place, family, and craftsmanship.

Ingredients and production

McHenry works with its own wash, which is brewed on site using water from the five natural springs on the property. The distillery highlights full control from grain to glass, because the brewery is located on the same grounds as the distillery, and the spirit is produced using traditional distillation methods in two copper pot stills built in Tasmania, of 1,500 and 3,000 litres.

The production style is hand-crafted and small-scale. Whisky and gin are distilled, matured, and bottled by hand, with an emphasis on precision rather than volume. The cool, ocean-influenced Tasmanian air is part of the process, because it allows for slow, natural development of the spirit. Peated Single Malt also showcases a more technical side of the house, with imported Scottish peat and 50 PPM phenol.

This is a production where water, copper, brewery, and distillery are closely connected, and where the raw materials aren’t hidden—but used as core elements of the style.

Maturation and cask types

Maturation takes place in the cool coastal climate of Tasmania, where the ocean-influenced air gives a slower development. McHenry works especially with American and French oak, and the casks leave clear marks. The 10-year-old American version is matured in Ex Heaven Hill American Oak, while the 10-year-old French version is built on Ex Tawny French Oak Cask, showing how tawny, fruit, and spice can be brought into play through long maturation.

The distillery also works with a more experimental cask maturation process in Stout Finished Whisky, where the whisky gets its final maturation in stout-seasoned barrels after beer maturation. After use, the cask goes back to the brewery, so it can be part of a new cycle. McHenry therefore uses casks actively as a flavour tool, not just as containers for time.

Whiskies

The whisky range focuses on single malt and spans from the house’s more accessible signature expressions to longer-matured, more characterful bottles. Signature American Oak and Signature French Oak are the classic cornerstones, while 10 Year Old American Oak and 10 Year Old French Oak show the more mature, cask-driven side of the distillery. Peated Single Malt adds smoky, coastal character, and Stout Finished Whisky goes in a darker, more beer-inspired direction.

Whisky Liqueur is a sweeter version based on McHenry single malt, spices, and sugar. Overall, the range points to a producer that works consistently with clear cask profiles, balance, and hand-crafted production as a common thread.

Whisky style and flavour profile

McHenry’s whiskies move between several distinct notes: sweet American oak with vanilla, caramel, and banana bread; French oak with dried fruit, plums, stone fruit, chestnuts, and spice; and a peated style with earthy smoke, coastal smoke, salted caramel, and sea air. The stout finish layers dark chocolate, roasted malt, and toasted caramel over the malty base. This creates a whisky profile where sweetness, cask character, and coastal character are constantly in harmony.

Visiting the distillery

McHenry can be visited in Port Arthur, and there are both guided tours and other experiences on the program. The Distillery and Brewery Tour runs on weekdays at 12:00 or 14:00, and booking is required. The tour includes both brewery and distillery, and ends with an exclusive gin tasting and a small Glencairn souvenir glass. In addition, you can experience the Distillers Campfire and stargazing under Tasmania’s clear night sky. The site also has a shop and the option to stay on site.

The listed opening times are: Distillery and Brewery Tour is available at 12:00 or 14:00 on weekdays.
See times and book a visit.

Philosophy and craftsmanship

McHenry builds its work on family, place, and precision. Bill McHenry’s background in chemistry and agricultural science is combined with traditional distilling, and the distillery emphasises doing things itself, with its own brewery, its own copper stills, and spring water from its own property. Nature is not just a backdrop, but an active part of the work, and the cool climate, clean air, and five springs are used intentionally to shape the spirit.

Sustainability

Thanks are given for the land and its natural resources, which are used in production.
McHenry recognises the traditional owners of the land in Turrakana/Lutruwita (Tasmania).

Awards and recognition

• Australia's best Sloe Gin (2020, Winner, Sloe Gin)

• Best Navy Strength Gin (Voted twice, Navy Strength Gin)

• Best Australian Gin (2014, Winner, Classic Dry Gin)

• Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA) (2015, Awarded, Classic Dry Gin)

• Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA) (2015, Awarded, Barrel Aged Gin)

• Gold (2026, Gold, 10 Year Old French Oak Whisky)