Tasmanian Whisky Week 2026 kicks off today, with nine days of tastings, events and experiences celebrating Australia’s most decorated whisky region.
This year marks ten years of the festival and arrives on the back of Tasmania’s most celebrated year on the world stage.
Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Guy Barnett, said Tasmania’s whisky industry had become one of the State’s greatest export success stories.
“Tasmanian whisky has earned a global reputation for excellence, and recent international accolades have reinforced our position as one of the world’s premier whisky-producing regions,” Minister Barnett said.
“Our distilleries are not only producing award-winning whisky – they’re creating jobs, attracting visitors, driving investment and taking Tasmania’s premium food and beverage story to markets across the globe.
“As demand for premium spirits continues to grow internationally, Tasmania is exceptionally well placed to significantly expand exports, attract new investment into our regions and strengthen our reputation as a producer of world-class premium products.
“As part of our 2030 Strong Plan, we’re backing Tasmania’s whiskey industry to ensure businesses can continue supporting our economy, creating Tasmanian jobs and expanding our export market.”
At the 2026 World Whiskies Awards in London, the most prestigious whisky competition on the planet, Tasmanian distilleries claimed 94 of 133 Australian awards – an extraordinary 72 per cent of the accolades on offer.
Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Association President Kristy Lark-Booth said the results confirm what the industry has long known.
“Tasmania produces the world’s best whisky and it’s not just us saying it,” Ms Lark-Booth said.
“Sullivans Cove won World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt for an unprecedented fourth time. Greenbanks won World’s Best Single Rye. And Lark took out World’s Best Range and Packaging Design.
“The world has recognised that we’re making something extraordinary down here.”
Tickets are selling fast to the festival’s flagship event, the Tasmanian Whisky Showcase on Saturday 8 August.
“The Showcase brings together 40 of Tasmania’s finest distilleries under one roof at PW1 in Hobart,” Ms Lark-Booth said.
“This is a must-attend event, whether you are a whisky enthusiast or new to whisky.”
Tickets to the Tasmanian Whisky Showcase are available now at taswhiskyweek.com.
