Old Kempton Distillery

Ahhh, we came out of our 3-day lockdown all intact, nobody tried to sell each other on eBay, phew lol. But it got me thinking about how normally we are off having holidays, enjoying and preparing ourselves for the year ahead. I am currently praying I will not have to embrace home-schooling again or my small human may be looking at those eBay options for me after all ,lol. So, thinking about all the past adventures and one really came to mind and I want to really tell you about a place that really gave me all the feels. Old Kempton Distillery.

Old Kempton Distillery is in the beautiful state of Tasmania in a town called Kempton. Let me disclose. This trip was 12 months ago and we’re not out there breaking any rules. We like to live on the edge sometimes but that is not my kind of edge. Once again, this adventure was a gift to my better half for our birthday. He is a whisky man so I knew this was going to be something he would love. Well leading up this I was super confused. I was reading that our tour was booked at 10 on our tickets but the website was saying 1 anyway we just decide to go at 10 and see what happened well turns out this old duck did not realise what she had booked, and it turned out to be an exclusive VIP tour lol and I could not complain. It was magical.

Our amazing tour guide whisked us off to the factory out the back where they make the magic happen, he took us through the process from start to finish explaining in detail of how whisky is made. Explaining the different parts of the process from how barley is socked in warm water for 2-3 days then is tipped out into what they call a malting house and is turned regularly to keep the heat. The barley converts the starch into soluble sugars to make alcohol. They then go on to create I believe he called it a wash and at this stage you can actually make beer. The final stage of the wash is then distilled two or three times, depending on the region. The liquid is vaporised in a still and only the part which has between 63% and 72% of the alcohol is collected as it cools down and condenses back to alcohol. The whisky is then aged in oak casks for a minimum of three years, giving it its characteristic flavour.

were lucky enough to be given taste of a batch of 70% alcohol just a small sip. We then got to measure volumes of alcohol that was super fun and awesome to learn. We then got taken over to where they store their barrels and got to taste a few different types of whisky that where in the ageing process. After this we head back inside where we tasted several different whiskies. Let me tell you, when he poured a lavender whisky, I definitely pulled a face but by far that was my favourite. I even came home with a bottle it, so lovely. Afterwards we sat and enjoyed this beautiful locally sourced platter, it was delightful. This was such beautiful place, I often say I would get married there, that’s how beautiful. As we looked out the window it was surround by lavender and it was just beautiful. As they day end the staff gifted us with beautiful bottle of wine and nothing but warm hearts. Could been the alcohol taking affect by then. But know if you ever find yourself in Tasmania please take yourself out and see this magical place.

Well, I am off dreaming of our next adventure, praying that it will not be home schooling, lol. But I thought next week I could do, what I pack in my small human’s lunch box, as school is back. I’ll touch on my tips for some store-bought options and what I keep handy in the freezer that make life easy.

stay safe loves

Xo Tieana