Kempton: Craft Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting & Lunch

Old Kempton Distillery puts its whisky in an unusually handsome setting: Dysart House, a former coaching inn with historic rooms, grounds, and a bond store lined with maturing barrels. You get more than a quick tasting here. The visit joins the house story, the working distillery, and a seated food course in one stop.

I especially like the chance to taste four Tasmanian spirits and the antipasto platter, which gives the experience the feel of a proper lunch rather than a few token samples. I also like the ghost stories tied to Dysart House. The main thing to check is the timing: the advertised duration is two hours, while the listed tour, tasting, and lunch segments add up to two and a half hours.

Key points at a glance

• Historic Dysart House setting: Explore a grand old coaching inn that has housed Old Kempton Distillery since 2015.
• Four guided tastings: Choose from Old Kempton whisky, gin, and liqueurs, with single malt whisky made from Tasmanian ingredients.
• Barrels in the bond store: See whisky maturing in casks of different shapes and sizes.
• Tasmanian antipasto lunch: A platter for one is included, described as normally valued at $80.
• Stories beyond the stills: The house has ghost tales woven into its history, so keep your eyes open.
• Useful practical fit: The tour is in English, wheelchair accessible, and limited to adults aged 18 and over.

Why this Kempton stop is more than a whisky tasting

Kempton sits in Tasmania, and Old Kempton Distillery gives you a reason to pause here instead of treating the town as a drive-through point. The distillery operates from Dysart House, a grand coaching inn with enough old-world character to make the setting part of the attraction.

That matters because a tasting room can sometimes feel like a sales counter with bottles on shelves. Here, the visit begins with the building and its grounds. You get a sense of the place before sitting down with a glass. The house’s ghost stories add a bit of fun, too. They do not replace the distillery tour, but they give the old rooms a little more personality.

The distillery has operated at Dysart House since November 2015. Alongside whisky, Old Kempton produces gin, liqueurs, and occasional special releases. The standard experience includes four spirits, and you can choose from whisky, gin, and liqueurs according to your preference. Other tastings may be available on site, but they are not part of the $56 price.

Walking through Dysart House and its grounds

The first part takes you through Old Kempton Distillery, Dysart House, the grounds, and the bond store. Allow about 45 minutes for the guided portion as described. This is the section that gives your tasting some context.

You will see barrels of different shapes and sizes holding whisky as it matures. That is a useful detail for anyone interested in how spirits develop over time. You are not only sampling the finished product. You are also seeing the quiet storage side of production, where the spirit waits in cask.

The house itself adds a second layer. Dysart House has a long connection with the coaching-inn era, and the setting helps explain why the distillery feels different from a modern industrial plant. The tour also includes stories about ghosts associated with the house. I would treat these as part of the local character, not as a promised paranormal show. The practical advice is simple: listen closely and keep your eyes open as you move through the older spaces.

The tour is guided in English. One guide named in the experience information is John, who led a particularly well-received visit. If you are hoping for a specific guide, it is best not to assume he will be working on your date.

The bond store and the whisky waiting in cask

The bond store is one of the more useful stops for anyone who wants to understand whisky beyond its label. Barrels are stored there in different shapes and sizes, holding maturing whisky. You can see the production story in an unfinished stage, before the spirit reaches the bottle.

Old Kempton’s single malt whisky is made with 100 percent Tasmanian ingredients. That local focus gives the tasting a clear sense of place. It also makes the visit more interesting for people who already know whisky and want to compare Tasmanian production with spirits from elsewhere.

Still, keep your expectations measured. The experience does not promise a technical masterclass in distillation, a large production facility, or a long cellar session. The supplied details describe a guided tour of the distillery, bond store, house, and grounds. If you want a highly technical lesson on fermentation, still design, or cask management, ask the cellar door team what will be covered on the day.

Four spirits in the Cask Lounge

After the walking section, you take a seat in the Cask Lounge, located in the old coaching inn and used as Old Kempton’s cellar door. This change of pace is welcome. You move from looking at the working parts of the distillery to sitting down and paying attention to what is in the glass.

The tasting includes four Old Kempton spirits. The available choices can include single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs, so this is not necessarily a whisky-only session. If you want to focus on whisky, make that preference clear. If your group has mixed tastes, the choice of spirits makes the experience easier to share.

The whisky is the natural focus for many people because Old Kempton’s single malt uses Tasmanian ingredients. You may also prefer to compare it with gin or a liqueur, especially if you are less familiar with whisky. The tasting is guided, so you are not simply handed four glasses and left to work out the differences alone.

The standard information describes the session as a tasting of four premium spirits, with about 45 minutes allocated to the whisky tasting. That should give you time to consider the different pours rather than rush through them. Since this is an alcohol-focused activity, it is intended for adults only. Children under 18 are not permitted.

A proper antipasto lunch, not just a few snacks

The food is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this tour. You receive a Tasmanian antipasto platter for one, served with the tasting. The platter is normally valued at $80, while the full experience costs $56 per person.

That makes the price look very attractive on paper, though I would avoid treating the stated platter value as a promise of a huge meal. The supplied details do not list the exact cheeses, meats, breads, or other items. Think of it as a substantial shared-style tasting platter for one rather than a restaurant menu with choices.

The food also changes the rhythm of the visit. You are not standing throughout the experience, and you are not expected to fit a meal into a short gap after the tasting. You sit in the Cask Lounge and finish the visit with something savory alongside the drinks.

This is especially useful if you are building a day around Kempton and want one stop that combines history, alcohol, and lunch. It may be less useful if you have already eaten a full meal or do not drink. The experience is built around spirits, so non-drinkers should choose another activity.

What the $56 price gets you

At $56 per person, the package includes:

• A guided tour of Old Kempton Distillery and Dysart House
• Access to the bond store and grounds as part of the tour
• Four Old Kempton spirits, with whisky, gin, and liqueurs among the choices
• A Tasmanian antipasto platter for one

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a meal and a tasting. The historic setting adds something that a basic cellar-door sample does not, while the four pours give you a decent introduction to the house style.

I would also factor in the lack of transportation. You need to make your own way to Old Kempton Distillery, and transport is not included. This is important because the tour involves alcohol. Arrange a safe way to get back before you start tasting, rather than making driving decisions after the final pour.

The experience information says other tastings can be arranged on site depending on your preferences, but those are not included. If you are tempted by extra whisky, gin, or liqueur samples, check the price before adding anything.

Timing, meeting point, and the small planning details

The meeting point is Old Kempton Distillery. Arrive 15 minutes early and show your ticket to a Cellar Door team member. That gives you time to find the right area and settle in before the guided portion begins.

The advertised duration is two hours. At the same time, the detailed schedule lists roughly 45 minutes for the tour, 45 minutes for tasting, and one hour for lunch. Those sections total two and a half hours. This may reflect flexible timing or rounded estimates, but I would confirm the expected finish time if you have another booking afterward.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The tour is conducted in English and is wheelchair accessible. The activity information does not provide detailed notes about every surface, doorway, or restroom, so anyone with specific mobility needs should contact the provider before booking.

Bring a driver’s license and wear closed-toe shoes. The license is a practical requirement for an adult alcohol experience. Closed-toe shoes make sense for a visit that includes a functioning distillery and bond store.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time, with a full refund stated for cancellations made within that window. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tasmania schedule is still shifting.

The atmosphere: old house, working distillery, friendly service

The strongest mood here comes from the mix of old building and active drinks business. Dysart House supplies the atmosphere, while the distillery and bond store give you something real to inspect. The Cask Lounge then brings the visit back to a relaxed seated setting.

The available comments describe the service as friendly and the atmosphere as warm. A group of 12 found the tour lively, with plenty of laughs, good service, enjoyable tastings, and generous food. That suggests the experience can work well for a small group or a social outing, not only for serious whisky fans.

Another detailed account singled out the guide John and praised the combination of the house, whisky, gin, food, and service. I would read that as a sign that the staff make a real difference to the day. The tour is not only about what is in the bottle. It also depends on how well the guide connects the building, the production story, and the tasting.

The sample is small, with six total ratings and an overall score of 4.9. That is an excellent result, but it is not enough to predict every future visit. Group size, guide, personal taste, and the exact spirit selection can affect your experience.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend Old Kempton Distillery to:

• Adults who want whisky tasting with a meal included
• People interested in historic houses as well as spirits
• Visitors looking for a relaxed two-hour-style stop near Kempton
• Groups who enjoy guided tastings and shared food
• Gin and liqueur drinkers who do not want a whisky-only session
• Visitors who appreciate local products made with Tasmanian ingredients

It is a good fit for couples, friends, and small groups. The 12-person visit described in the experience information also suggests that a larger group can enjoy it, provided the booking arrangements suit the group.

I would be more cautious if you want a long technical distillery course, a full meal with menu choices, or transport from another town. The included food sounds generous, but its exact contents are not listed. The tour is guided in English, so it may not suit someone who needs another language.

My call: book it if you want history with your whisky

Book this tour if you want a complete tasting stop, not just a flight of spirits at a counter. The old Dysart House setting, bond store, ghost stories, four-drink tasting, and Tasmanian antipasto platter give the $56 price a strong case.

Before booking, check the start time, confirm how long your particular session is expected to run, and plan safe transportation. Choose your tasting preference when you arrive, wear closed-toe shoes, and come 15 minutes early. If that setup works for you, Old Kempton offers a friendly, characterful introduction to Tasmanian whisky and other local spirits.

FAQ

Where does the Old Kempton Distillery tour begin?

The meeting point is Old Kempton Distillery at Dysart House in Kempton, Tasmania.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The detailed schedule lists 45 minutes for the guided tour, 45 minutes for tasting, and one hour for lunch, so you should confirm the expected timing when booking.

What spirits are included?

You receive a tasting of four Old Kempton spirits. The choices can include single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Tasmanian antipasto platter for one is included in the experience.

Is transportation provided?

No. Transportation to and from Old Kempton Distillery is not included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. Children under 18 are not permitted.

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license and wear closed-toe shoes.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.