Award winning distillery, Sullivans Cove, has unveiled its 25 Year Old Single Malt whisky, Australia’s oldest single malt ever bottled. According to the distillery, it is also possibly the oldest to have been produced by a continuously operating and dedicated new world whisky distillery.
There are two casks in the landmark release, with fewer than 500 bottles worldwide. They were laid down in 1999 by the then owner and distillery manager, Patrick Maguire. He said at that time, the potential for decades-long maturation in Australia was uncertain.
“To see two of our casks mature out to 25 years is something we did not expect. These casks were filled during the early days of the distillery and distilling in Tasmania. We had hopes that our locally grown barley and pure Tasmanian water would be the basis for great things,” Maguire said.
Current distillery manager and master distiller, Heather Tillott, said the success of the release reflects on the distillery’s precise cask management and the suitability of Tasmania’s cool maritime climate for long ageing.
“It redefines what is possible at the edge of the world. Climate and maturation combined have delivered a single malt with layered elegance and depth. This whisky carries the spirit of those early years and stands as a testament to what patience and belief can achieve,” Tillott said.
Sullivans Cove CEO, Andy Gaunt, said reaching a full quarter-century of maturation is a milestone for any distillery, particularly outside the traditional heartlands.
“New world whisky is still emerging, with most distilleries founded within the last 10-15 years. Pioneering ventures such as Sullivans Cove in Tasmania, established in 1994, represent rare early examples, laying the foundations for a generation of new-world producers,” Gaunt said.
The release builds on what has been a year of achievement and recognition for the distillery. At the 2025 World Whiskies and Icons of Whisky Awards in March, it took home the award for Best Australian Single Cask Single Malt for its Old & Rare American Oak Second Fill 18 Years Old (TD0033).
(Sidenote: Australia had over 100 awarded entries, receiving 30 Gold, 39 Silver and 32 Bronze titles across 30 distilleries, with Tasmanian producers Sullivans Cove, Hellyers Road, and Callington Mill Distilleries receiving the most awards.)
For Gaunt, this release is a living record of the distillery’s history.
“It’s proof of what patience and conviction can achieve, and a statement of what world whisky has become. Twenty-five years ago, this was an audacious experiment. Today, it stands as proof that with skill, craftsmanship, and patience, great whiskies can come from anywhere in the world – especially here in Tasmania,” he said.
The distillery made an uncommon early commitment to long-term maturation in large-format casks. Its philosophy was slow, deliberate fermentations, careful distillation in Charentais-style alembic stills, and maturation in full-size casks to let the spirit evolve naturally over decades.
Tillott said every stage is monitored and evaluated, ensuring the final whisky meets the highest standards of balance, complexity and character.
“The 25 Year Old now builds on that legacy, setting a new benchmark for what is possible in Tasmania and across the world whisky category,” she said.
Cask No HH0056 was matured in a 200L American Oak ex-Bourbon barrel, yielding just 134 bottles, and will be available by invitation only.
“It is a seamless expression of spirit, oak and ex-Bourbon cask integration, showcasing balance, complexity, texture and layered flavour. A beautifully curated whisky, richly rewarding from start to finish, and a testament to the refinement and possibilities of long-term maturation,” Tillott said.
Single Cask No HH0010, matured in a 300L American Oak Refill cask, yielded 349 bottles and will be released via ballot.
“This cask sets a benchmark of balancing the interesting and delicious, HH0010 is one of the defining casks in shaping Sullivans Cove’s approach to careful maturation. A profound display of age and character, and an enduring piece of Tasmanian and global whisky history.
“This release demonstrates why Sullivans Cove is distinct in process and approach. Long fermentations yield a richly textured wash; the alembic still and worm tub condenser capture subtle nuance; and the choice of large casks allows decades of patient maturation.
“The sensory team monitors each cask continually, bringing it to bottle only when optimal balance, aroma, and depth have been achieved. Trade partners can rely on these principles to understand why each Sullivans Cove single cask is unique,” Tillott said.
25 Year Old Single Cask No HH0056
Matured in a 200L American oak ex-Bourbon cask, just 134 bottles, by invitation only. For enquiries about this special cask please contact concierge@sullivanscove.com
25 Year Old Single Cask No HH0010
Matured in a 300L American Oak Second-Fill cask, 349 bottles, available via ballot. Ballott opens at 6am (AEST), 23 October here.
A limited allocation of the Sullivans Cove 25 Year Old will also be made available to members of The Whisky Club, offering its community of enthusiasts the opportunity to secure a piece of this milestone release, sign up here via.
Sullivans Cove provided travel and accommodation for Kim Berry to the launch event.
