Whisky tasting, without the driving stress. This Hobart Premium Spirits Tour takes you through the Tasmanian Highlands with a guided look behind three distilleries and tastings of local drams. I like the small-group cap (listed up to 11, with a 16-person activity limit) and the chance to sample up to 12 whiskies, often with gin in the mix. One snag: lunch is described as included in the tour overview, but lunch is also listed as not included in the details, so confirm before you arrive hungry.

You start at 10:00 am from Brooke Street Pier and you’re back there at the end, with an air-conditioned vehicle handling the driving. That makes the day feel smooth and focused on whisky, not logistics.

Key points to know before you book

• Three distilleries, guided tastings across the Tasmanian whisky heartlands
• Up to 12 whiskies sampled in the day, plus spirits/gins depending on the venue
• Small-group feel with a cap listed at 11 (and an activity limit of 16)
• Scenic drive through Coal Valley and the Southern Midlands
• Air-conditioned transport included and you return to the same meeting point
• Destinations can shift based on industry demands and availability

Hobart whisky country: what this tour is really about

This isn’t a quick pour-and-go stop at a single brand. It’s built around seeing how Tasmanian spirits are made, then tasting your way through different styles. You’ll spend the day in and around the whisky-making heartlands tied to the Tasmanian Highlands, with time set aside for guided tastings rather than just browsing shelves.

What makes it interesting is the mix of access and variety. You’re visiting three different distilleries, and the tour promises guided tasting sessions where you can sample a broad lineup. In plain terms: you get more context than you would on your own, and you get enough pours to start spotting what you like (peaty vs. sweeter, lighter vs. more intense) instead of guessing from one bottle.

The format also helps if you’re not traveling with a tasting-nerd friend. A good guide can connect the dots fast—what’s going on in the process, why one distillery tastes different, and what you should pay attention to when you compare whiskies side by side.

Brooke Street Pier at 10:00: the day’s rhythm and group size

The tour starts at Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Whrf, Hobart. Your departure is 10:00 am, and it ends back at the same place.

That timing matters in Tasmania. You get out early enough to feel like you’ve escaped the city, but not so early that you spend half the morning half-asleep. And because it loops back to Brooke Street Pier, you don’t need to plan a second ride or worry about where you’ll land.

Group size is one of the biggest comfort factors on distillery tours. This one is marketed as a small-group experience with a maximum of 11 people, while the activity cap is listed at up to 16. Either way, you’re not stuck in a giant bus crowd. Smaller groups usually mean the guide can pace tastings better, answer questions without shouting, and keep the day moving.

Also, it’s a mobile-ticket tour. That’s a real quality-of-life detail—less paperwork, less fuss, and you can focus on getting to the first stop.

The distillery lineup: behind the scenes at three different makers

You’re set up for behind-the-scenes viewing at three distilleries, with guided tastings that let you sample up to 12 different whiskies over the course of the day. Alcoholic beverages are included, which is important here: you’re not paying extra for each tasting flight.

The exact distilleries can change. The tour notes that destinations are examples only and may shift due to industry demands and availability. Still, you can get a sense of the kind of places on the route from what’s been highlighted—some departures have included stops such as Lark, Killara, and Hobart Distillery, plus Old Kempton (where a ploughman-style lunch has been described as outstanding).

Here’s what that “three distilleries” structure usually means for your experience:

• You start with a tasting frame: what to notice in Tasmanian whiskies and spirits.
• You compare across makers: even when whiskies look similar, the profiles can shift noticeably.
• You end with more clarity: you’ll often leave knowing which styles you want to buy (or which ones you’d skip).

One thing to keep in mind: the number of pours can vary by stop. On at least some departures, one distillery didn’t run as many samples as other stops. That doesn’t make it a bad tour—it just means you should treat the tastings as a guided walk through possibilities, not a guarantee that every stop will pour the exact same lineup.

Stop 1 at Brooke Street Pier: the morning tasting jump-start

The first scheduled stop is at Brooke Street Pier, with a 40-minute session and admission ticket included. This is where the day kicks off with a curated tasting journey tied to Southern Tasmania’s distilleries—often with a focus on small-batch gin alongside award-winning whiskies.

This matters because it sets your “tasting brain” before you hit the road. If you begin the day already trained on how to smell and compare drams, the rest of the tour feels sharper. It also gives you a comfortable start point in the morning, especially if you’re trying to avoid the stress of arriving somewhere you might not find easily by yourself.

A small detail that comes through in how people describe the day: there can be a coffee-friendly first moment before the alcohol tastings really start. If you drink at 10:00 am like it’s a sport, you’ll probably appreciate that buffer.

Drives through Coal Valley and the Southern Midlands

Between distilleries, you’re not stuck staring at the same scenery for hours. The tour includes drives through Coal Valley and the Southern Midlands, which gives you a sense of place while you travel.

For whisky tours in particular, the scenery isn’t just decoration. When you’re learning about the Tasmanian Highlands and the whisky-making heartlands, the road view helps the story stick. You can see how spread out the regions are, and it makes sense why distilleries tend to be tied to place and production scale.

If you’re the type who likes a good photo, you’ll have a few chances. But this is still a tasting day first—expect more “move and look” than “stop for long walks.”

Lunch and pacing: what to do with the mixed info

This is the one part you should double-check before booking, because the provided details conflict.

• The tour overview says the experience includes lunch.
• The details list lunch under not included.

On the ground, people have described lunch during the day, including a ploughman’s lunch at Old Kempton in Richmond, which suggests lunch may be part of at least some departures. But to avoid any unpleasant surprise, I’d treat lunch as: maybe included, confirm what your specific date includes.

In practical terms, here’s how to handle it:

• If you’re sensitive to long tasting sessions, eat a real breakfast before the tour.
• Bring a light snack if your booking doesn’t clearly confirm lunch.
• Pace your tastings. Up to 12 whiskies is a lot in one day, even if pours are small.

Also remember: the tour is described as including alcoholic beverages. If you plan to keep tasting confidently, slow down. Your brain is the best tasting tool you have, and it gets tired faster than your taste buds.

Price reality check: is $222.35 good value?

At $222.35 per person, this tour sits in the mid-to-upper tier for day tours from Hobart. The key question is whether you’re getting more than just a bus ride and a quick branded stop.

You are paying for:

• Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Guided access to three distilleries
• Alcohol included, with tastings of up to 12 whiskies
• A small-group structure

If you’re a whisky or spirits fan, that combination usually makes sense. A retail bottle doesn’t teach you how to compare whiskies from different makers in one sitting, and distillery access often costs more than you expect when it’s not bundled.

Where the price can feel less worth it is if you only want one or two sips and you’d rather spend the day exploring Tasmanian scenery on your own. But if you’re the type who likes to learn what you’re drinking and leave with a short list of favorites, this price becomes easier to justify.

Who should book this Premium Spirits Tour

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Love Tasmanian single malt whiskies and want side-by-side comparisons
• Want guided distillery access without planning three separate venues
• Prefer a small-group format over a large-coach day
• Like a full day plan: tastings, scenic driving, and a structured end back in Hobart

It might be less ideal if:

• You don’t drink much and the day’s alcohol-heavy format feels like overkill
• You want a guaranteed, clearly stated lunch inclusion without checking
• You’re sensitive to a longer day (it runs about 7 hours 30 minutes)

One more practical note: guests under 18 aren’t permitted, so plan adult-only group time. Service animals are allowed, and the start point is near public transportation if you’re coming from somewhere central.

Tips for getting the most out of your tastings

You’ll get better value if you go in with a simple plan:

• Compare like a scientist, not like a barfly. Note what changes between pours: smell first, then taste, then finish.
• Choose your pace early. If you start strong, you’ll enjoy the later stops more instead of feeling wiped out.
• If you’re interested in both whisky and gin, pay attention to how each distillery frames its spirit styles. Some departures are clearly whisky-forward, others run a wider gin mix.
• Bring curiosity, not assumptions. Tasmanian whisky can surprise people who only know Scotch stereotypes.

Also, since destinations can shift based on availability, don’t think of this as a fixed “checklist.” Think of it as a flexible, guided day of Tasmanian spirits where the guide’s job is to keep quality high across the stops.

Should you book this tour?

If you’re excited about whisky and you want a day that’s more than just tasting a drink, I’d book it. The big strengths are the three-distillery structure, the guided tastings up to 12 whiskies, and the ease of round-trip transport from Brooke Street Pier. For $222.35, the math usually works when you actually factor in access, alcohol inclusion, and the time saved planning.

Just do one thing before you commit: confirm what your date includes for lunch. With that answered, this becomes a great Hobart day option—small-group enough to feel personal, structured enough that you leave knowing what you liked and why.

FAQ

What time does the Premium Spirits Tour start in Hobart?

It starts at 10:00 am.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Brooke Street Pier, 12 Franklin Whrf, Hobart TAS 7000, Australia.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes.

How many whisky tastings do you get?

The guided tasting includes sampling up to 12 different whiskies.

Is lunch included?

The tour overview says lunch is part of the day, but the details list lunch as not included. Check your booking confirmation for what’s covered for your specific date.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are listed as included.

Who can join the tour?

Guests under 18 are not permitted. Service animals are allowed, and the tour notes it’s suitable for most travelers.

FAQ

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can the distilleries on the itinerary change?

Yes. The detailed tour destinations are an example only, and places may change depending on industry demands and availability.

What’s the group size like?

It’s described as a small-group experience with a maximum of 11 people, and the activity is listed with a maximum of 16 travelers.

How do I get my ticket?

The tour uses a mobile ticket.

Does the tour provide transportation?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle and round-trip transport are included.

Is the tour accessible by public transport?

The start point is near public transportation.

Is a tour host included the whole way?

The tour is guided throughout, with guided whisky tastings at the stops.