LARK Distilling Co. has released the sixth instalment in its Dark Lark series, No.166 Dark Lark 2026, a Tasmanian single malt available from 8 July.
The whisky moves into a 700mL matte black bottle, the largest Dark Lark format yet, with a recommended retail price of $150 and bottled at 43 per cent ABV. LARK has positioned the release under $200, pitching it as a more accessible entry into its luxury single malt range and a way to bring more drinkers into the brand.
The series began as a release to mark Hobart’s Dark Mofo festival, and this sixth expression combines fortified casks with LARK’s Tasmanian single malt. The distillery describes a lighter, brighter style than the dark packaging suggests. The flavour profile lists lemon shortbread, sticky figs, espresso gelato and dark chocolate-covered cherries.
LARK master distiller, Chris Thomson, said it was Tasmania at night, rather than its shifting daylight and seasons, that inspired the whisky.
Dark Lark is available online at larkdistillery.com and through LARK’s Hobart venues.
RRP $150 (700mL)
ABV 43 per cent
On sale 8 July 2026, larkdistillery.com and LARK’s Hobart venues
Five golds at San Francisco
The release follows a strong showing for LARK at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), where the distillery won five gold medals across its Signature Collection, its Global Travel Retail (GTR) range and a forthcoming cask strength expression.
The gold medallists were No.151 Fire Trail (RRP $170), No.183 Devil’s Storm (RRP $200), No.172 Wild Haven from the Atlas Series (RRP $280), No.294 Ember Eclipse from the Atlas Series (RRP $680), and No.187 Devil’s Storm Cask Strength (RRP $240), which goes on sale online and at LARK’s Hobart venues from August 2026. The two Atlas Series whiskies are sold exclusively through Australian airports and are set to reach Singapore’s Changi International.
Founded in 2000 and run by The Tasting Alliance, the SFWSC is one of the spirits industry’s most prominent competitions, with entries judged by blind tasting.
Thomson said the result reflected the whole team’s work and showed how far Tasmanian whisky had come. “To have whiskies across our Signature Collection and GTR range recognised at this level is incredibly exciting,” he said.
