Kempton: Whisky Distillery Tour with Tastings and Lunch

Old Kempton Distillery puts its whisky in an old coaching inn, Dysart House, so this is more than a tasting at a counter. You move through the house, see the working distillery and bond store, then settle in with four spirits, Tasmanian food, and wine. The building and the barrels give the visit its character.

I like the small group, limited to 10, and the way the experience connects whisky with local produce. I also like that the tasting is guided rather than left to guesswork. The main consideration is transport: Kempton is outside Hobart, and the $134 price does not include getting there.

Key points at a glance

• A working distillery in Dysart House: See where Old Kempton has made spirits since November 2015, then visit the bond store filled with maturing whisky.
• Four spirits with guidance: The tasting includes four Old Kempton spirits, with whisky, gin, and liqueurs made from Tasmanian ingredients.
• A proper Tasmanian lunch: Share an antipasto platter built around local produce, along with a bottle of Tasmanian red or white wine.
• Only 10 people per group: The small size should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• A relaxed finish: Tea or coffee is served in the Cask Lounge, followed by time to browse the Cellar Door.
• Useful planning detail: Bring photo identification, weather-appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes. The tour runs in all weather.

Dysart House gives the whisky tour a sense of place

The most appealing part of this experience is the setting. Old Kempton Distillery operates from Dysart House, a grand former coaching inn in Kempton. You begin with a short look at the house and its past before moving into the practical business of making spirits.

That order matters. You first get a feel for the building, then learn how the distillery fits into it. The house has been home to Old Kempton Distillery since November 2015, and the tour shows how an old property can serve as a working modern craft operation.

I like this approach because it avoids treating whisky as an isolated product. The building, the cellar door, the barrels, and the Tasmanian ingredients all belong to the same story. You are not simply handed a glass and asked to decide if you like it.

The house also comes with ghost stories. They are part of Dysart House folklore, and the tour encourages you to keep your eyes open as you move through the property. Do not book this expecting a dedicated paranormal tour, though. The spirits in the glass remain the main event.

The 45-minute tour explains how the distillery works

The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes. It includes Dysart House, the distillery, and the bond store, with an outline of the distillation process along the way.

You can expect the guide to explain how the operation runs day to day and what goes into making the different spirits. Old Kempton produces single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs on site. The distillery uses 100 percent Tasmanian ingredients, a detail that adds meaning to the later food and wine pairing.

The tour is designed for questions, especially because the group is capped at 10 people. That is a useful size for a working distillery. You should be able to hear the guide without straining, and you will have a better chance to ask about production, barrels, or the difference between the spirits you taste later.

The exact route may vary. The distillery is a working place, and each tour is described as unique. That is a plus if you enjoy seeing real operations rather than a fixed display, though it also means you should not expect every visit to follow an identical script.

Closed-toe shoes are required. Wear clothing suited to the weather, since the tour takes place rain or shine. The information provided does not specify how much of the tour is outdoors, so practical clothes are the sensible choice.

The bond store is the most atmospheric stop

The bond store holds whisky as it matures in barrels of different shapes and sizes. For many people, this will be the most memorable part of the tour. You see the product before it reaches the bottle, and the barrels make the ageing process feel less abstract.

A distillery visit is often strongest when you can connect the finished pour with the steps that came before it. Here, you see the working equipment, then the maturing whisky, then taste Old Kempton spirits in the Cask Lounge. That simple sequence gives the tasting a useful framework.

The bond store is not just a photo stop. It helps explain why whisky takes time and why a distillery needs space, storage, and patience. You may also hear more about barrel types and the way whisky is handled, depending on the guide and the day’s operation.

If you are mainly interested in tasting and have little patience for production details, 45 minutes may feel longer than necessary. If you enjoy craft processes, it is a well-judged length. You get enough explanation to understand what you are tasting without turning the visit into a full technical course.

Four spirits make the tasting more useful

The guided tasting lasts about 45 minutes and includes four premium Old Kempton spirits. The supplied details do not name the four pours, so you should expect a selection rather than a guaranteed list of specific bottles.

Old Kempton makes single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs. That range is important. You are not comparing four versions of the same whisky. The tasting can show how different spirits made at the same distillery vary in aroma, texture, and finish.

A guide leads the tasting, which is helpful if you are new to whisky or spirits. You can take your time and consider each pour instead of treating the tasting as a quick sample session. The production tour beforehand also gives you something to think about as you taste.

The supplied information does not say how much is poured or whether alternatives are available for dietary or drinking preferences. If you need a particular arrangement, ask the team at the Cellar Door when you arrive. Bring a driver’s license, which is listed among the items to bring.

People under 18 may attend free of charge, but they cannot sample the spirits. The activity is also described as not suitable for children under 18, so this is best planned as an adults-focused outing. Anyone who does not drink will still have the house tour and lunch, but the tasting is a major part of the two-hour experience.

Lunch turns the visit into a full afternoon

After the production tour and tasting, you share an antipasto platter for two with fresh Tasmanian produce. A bottle of Tasmanian red or white wine is included for sharing.

This is a better fit for a relaxed couple or two friends than for someone looking for a quick tasting with a snack. The meal gives you time to sit down and talk about the spirits, and it makes the $134 per person cost easier to assess.

The exact contents of the platter are not listed, so do not book this expecting a fixed menu. If you have dietary needs, ask in advance rather than assuming the platter can be changed. The important point is that lunch is part of the experience, not an optional purchase at the end.

I like the local connection here. The distillery uses Tasmanian ingredients, the food highlights Tasmanian produce, and the wine is Tasmanian too. You get a clearer sense of the region through several small choices rather than one grand claim.

The timing is worth noting. The stated schedule adds up to roughly two hours: 45 minutes for the tour, 45 minutes for the tasting, one hour for lunch, and 10 minutes for coffee. In practice, the handover between sections may feel relaxed, but you should allow only the advertised two hours unless you plan to browse and shop afterward.

Coffee and the Cask Lounge slow the pace

The final 10 minutes are set aside for freshly brewed tea or coffee in the Cask Lounge. The lounge is located in the old coaching inn that serves as the Old Kempton Cellar Door.

This short pause is a small but welcome detail. Tastings can feel rushed when the last sip is followed immediately by a shop visit or departure. Here, you have a chance to sit down, finish the meal, and reset before looking around the Cellar Door.

You can browse Old Kempton spirits, locally made produce, and souvenirs. The included 10 percent discount on Cellar Door purchases is valid on the day of your visit. That discount has real value if you already plan to take home a bottle or buy gifts, but it should not be treated as a reason to purchase something you would not otherwise want.

The coffee is not the headline attraction, yet it helps make the experience feel complete. It also gives non-drinkers a proper final option after the spirit tasting.

Is $134 per person fair value?

At $134 per person, this is not a budget tasting. You are paying for a guided visit, a small group, four spirit samples, an antipasto platter for two, a shared bottle of wine, tea or coffee, and a 10 percent Cellar Door discount.

The value depends on how much of that package you would use. For a pair who wants a half-day outing with food and wine, the price is easier to justify than for someone who only wants to sample whisky. The house tour and working distillery add substance that a short bar tasting would not provide.

Transport is the main extra cost. You must make your own way to Dysart House in Kempton, since transport is not included. That matters if you are staying in Hobart or elsewhere in Tasmania and need to arrange a car, taxi, or another option. The supplied information does not provide travel time or a transfer service, so check your route before booking.

The 10 percent shopping discount may improve the value for buyers, but only on same-day purchases. It does not change the fact that the core experience is built around adults who enjoy spirits, local food, and a historic setting.

Who will enjoy Old Kempton most?

I would choose this for a couple, two friends, or a small group with a real interest in whisky and Tasmanian produce. It suits people who like to understand how something is made before tasting it.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a personal tour. With no more than 10 participants, the guide can keep the group together and respond to questions. The two verified ratings supplied for the experience were positive, with one visitor praising the guide’s fun personality and another describing the tour as informative and the Kempton team as lovely. Those comments point to a warm, approachable style rather than a formal lecture.

You may want a different activity if you need included transport, want a long formal whisky education, or are planning a family outing with young children. Under-18 attendance is not suited to this experience, and no spirit samples are available to anyone under 18.

The tour runs rain or shine. That is not a problem if you dress properly, but it does mean you should not wait for perfect weather before deciding what to wear. A jacket and sturdy closed-toe shoes are sensible choices.

Booking advice for a smooth visit

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early and go to the Cellar Door with your booking information. A team member will check you in there.

Bring a driver’s license, weather-appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes. If you intend to taste all four spirits, plan your transport responsibly. The activity information does not include a designated driver service or any return transport.

English is the tour language. The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Tasmania plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to arrange your own way to Kempton.

Should you book this distillery tour?

Book it if you want the full combination: a historic house, a working distillery, maturing whisky, four guided tastings, Tasmanian lunch, wine, and a quiet coffee afterward. The small group and local produce make the $134 price more defensible, especially for two people sharing the platter and bottle.

Skip it if your main aim is a cheap whisky sample or if transport to Kempton is difficult. For the right visitor, Old Kempton offers a friendly, well-shaped experience that links the building, the making, and the tasting without rushing any one part.

FAQ

How long does the Old Kempton Distillery experience last?

The experience lasts two hours. The schedule includes a 45-minute guided tour, a 45-minute spirit tasting, a one-hour lunch, and about 10 minutes for tea or coffee.

What is included in the $134 price?

The price includes the tour of Dysart House, the distillery, and the bond store; a guided tasting of four spirits; an antipasto platter for two; a shared bottle of Tasmanian red or white wine; tea and coffee; and 10 percent off Cellar Door purchases made that day.

Is transport to Kempton included?

No. You must arrange your own transport to Dysart House in Kempton.

Can people under 18 join the experience?

People under 18 may attend free of charge, but they cannot sample any spirits. The activity is also listed as not suitable for children under 18, so it is intended primarily for adults.

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license, weather-appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes. The tour operates in all weather.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants, making it a small-group experience with an English-speaking live guide.