Hellyers Road
The Ultimate Guide to Hellyers Road Tasmanian Whisky
Hellyers Road - Tasmania’s Pioneering Whisky
There’s a whisky revolution brewing off the southern coast of Australia. Tasmania - once better known for apples, rugged wilderness, and Ricky Ponting - is in the midst of a true whisky renaissance. After distillation was banned here for over 150 years, the 1990s saw the spirit of the island reborn.
Today, Tasmanian distillers are stacking up awards and earning global respect, proving this little leftfield island is a force to be reckoned with in the whisky world. At the forefront of this movement is Hellyers Road Distillery, a trailblazer that turned nearly impossible odds into liquid gold.
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The Hellyers Road Distillery Story
Hellyers Road Distillery’s story begins in 1997 with an unlikely crew of founders: a band of dairy farmers from Burnie, a quiet coastal town in northwest Tasmania. Led by master distiller Mark Littler, they decided to swap cows for copper stills, and thank god they did.
The distillery takes its name from Hellyers Road, the street named after explorer Henry Hellyer who mapped the area in the 1820s. And from day one, Hellyers Road set out to do things differently.
They installed state-of-the-art equipment (their massive 60,000-litre still, with a working capacity of 42,000 litres is one of the largest in the country) and weren’t afraid of innovation, either. At the same time, they honoured tradition with an insanely slow distillation method (45 hours!) to eke out maximum purity and flavour.
It didn’t take long for this Tasmanian upstart to make waves. By 2010 (barely a decade into production) Hellyers Road’s peated single malt was crowned the nation’s best whisky Australia’s Best Whisky by the Malt Whisky Society of Australia, signalling to skeptics that Aussie whisky could stand toe-to-toe with the world’s finest.
Not too shabby for a distillery born in a dairy shed!
Tasmania’s Whisky Advantage
Tasmania’s advantage comes down to an alignment of nature and know-how. Pristine water, quality local barley, a cool climate, and a craft-driven ethos all combine to produce whiskies that punch well above their weight.
The Climate
Aside from the odd eucalyptus tree in place of Scottish heather, Tasmania’s cool air, grey skies, lush green hills and pure water sources mirror the conditions of Scotland’s whisky regions.
Unlike the hotter Aussie mainland, where whisky can mature at a breakneck pace (and sometimes over-oak), the Tasmanian climate influence gives a more measured, gentle aging process, yielding smooth, deeply flavoured whisky by the time it’s bottled.
The Water
Then there’s the literal lifeblood of whisky: water. And Tasmania’s water is about as pure as it gets. Those roaring westerly winds (the “Roaring Forties”) sweep clean Antarctic air across the ocean, bringing rain that’s famously pristine.
Hellyers Road and its fellow distillers tap into crystal-clear rainwater and mountain streams untainted by big-city pollution. Soft, clean water like this is perfect for fermentation and distillation, helping create a clean-tasting spirit.
The Barley
Barley is another ace up Tasmania’s sleeve (as if it needed any more). The island grows top-notch grain, and most Tasmanian distilleries use locally malted barley - while giving a lower yield than generic high-yield strains, it imparts huge flavour.
The Peat
Even peat is part of the equation. Yup, Tasmania has peat bogs! High in the Tasmanian highlands and marshes, peat has formed over millennia, just like in Scotland.
Hellyers Road Whisky Range
Whether you’re a newcomer looking to dip a toe into Tassie whisky or a seasoned enthusiast hunting for unique drams, Hellyers Road has something up your alley.
From the easy-going Aurora Australis to the smoky-smooth Peated 7 Year Old, and onward to the rarefied air of 21-year-olds and single casks, the Hellyers Road range covers a lot of ground. Few distilleries can offer such a spectrum.
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Aurora Australis
Named after the stunning natural light show that dances over Tasmania’s night skies, Aurora Australis is a love letter to the island’s beauty, and a masterclass in whisky elegance. This single malt is bright, vibrant and layered, just like the phenomenon it’s named after. Matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, it shows off Hellyers Road’s signature balance of creaminess and complexity.
On the nose, you’ll find fresh orchard fruit, green apples and lemon blossom, with vanilla bean and soft oak riding shotgun. The palate is silky and lively, with bursts of citrus, white peach and sweet malt, wrapped in a subtle ribbon of spice. The finish is clean, bright and zippy like that crisp Tassie air.
Aurora is a brilliant introduction to Tasmania’s cool-climate whisky style - a clean, expressive malt that’s all about precision and poise.
Peated 7 Year Old
For those looking for something bolder, the Peated 7 Year Old delivers the goods. This is Tasmania showing it can go bring rich smoke and still keep it refined. Made using imported peated malt, then aged in ex-bourbon casks for seven slow years, it’s rich, smoky and coastal.
The nose hits with smouldering driftwood, grilled citrus and salted caramel. And there’s a distinct maritime quality here too. On the palate, it opens with smoked honey, toasted malt and charred orange peel, before deepening into earthy spice and lingering pepper. It’s layered, textured, and seriously moreish.
At 46.2% ABV, it’s got presence without being punishing; a beautifully integrated whisky that shows Hellyers Road are serious skilled when it comes to working with peat.
It’s complex stuff, yet wonderfully balanced - the kind of whisky you give to someone who says “I’m not sure if I like peaty whisky,” and watch them convert. If you're peat-curious or already smoke-obsessed, this is a must-try expression.
Premium, Age-Statement Releases
Beyond the core range, Hellyers Road has steadily rolled out premium releases that cement its reputation as a world-class distillery. As their stocks aged, they introduced age-statement whiskies; 10-year, 12-year and 15-year.
These longer-matured whiskies take the Hellyers Road spirit to the next level. Extra time in barrel deepens the colour and draws out richer flavours: expect more dried fruit, toasted oak, spice and leather notes in, say, a Hellyers Road 19-Year-Old compared to the younger whiskies.
Experimental cask finishes
Hellyers Road also loves to experiment with cask finishes and special editions - one highlight has been their Pinot Noir Finish single malt.
As well as the usual sherry or port finish common in Scotch, Hellyers Road took locally sourced Pinot Noir wine casks and finished a whisky in it, resulting in a gorgeous dram with subtle red fruit notes.
It was a bold move that paid off in spades - and wowed the world by winning “Best New World Whisky” at Whisky Live Paris in 2013, putting Hellyers Road on the international map as uniquely Tasmanian and undeniably delicious.
Tasting Notes & Serving
In the glass, Hellyers Road whiskies tend to gleam a lovely golden amber, a shade often enriched by the Tasmanian oak casks and time.
Greeting you with notes of sweet malt and caramel, like freshly made toffee, intertwined with fruity highlights; think ripe pears, baked apples or dried apricots wafting up. There’s a brightness underpinning this fruitiness (think citrus peel & orange marmalade) and a floral hint, wildflower honey.
In many Hellyers releases, you’ll detect a creamy, cereal-rich underpinning (think oatmeal or malty biscuits) that reminds you this is Tassie grain-based goodness. And if you’re nosing one of the peated or port-finished variants, you might pick up a wisp of smoke or sea breeze.
On the palate, Hellyers Road arrives soft and rounded, with a silky mouthfeel that speaks to its craft distillation. Typically first comes a rich sweetness: think butterscotch, vanilla custard, and honeyed grain that make you recall the nose’s promises. Then, a burst of fruit, where those Tassie orchard fruits shine; notes of orange zest, golden sultanas, or spiced apple pie, adding a lush, juicy dimension.
As the whisky spreads across the palate, gentle spices and oak begin to emerge. Hellyers Road often carries a pinch of cinnamon and clove from the oak barrels, plus a touch of pepper or ginger heat, but it’s always in balance.
In peated expressions, mid-palate is where a little charred wood and smoky BBQ note might peek through, never overpowering but lending complexity. Texture-wise, these whiskies are generally creamy and medium-bodied, not as heavy as an oily sherry bomb, but not thin; just right for sipping neat.
Hellyers Road’s finish doesn’t usually belt you over the head with alcohol; instead you get a warm, fading echo of flavours. A bit of sweet vanilla and oak tannin hangs on, maybe a hint of cocoa or dried herbs, and with the peated versions, a last trailing haze of woodsmoke.
Importantly, these whiskies are smooth, a phrase that kinda feels cliche, but here it’s anything but. The cool climate maturation seems to avoid the harsh edges, so you’re not left with any unpleasant burn, just a cozy warmth.
Serving Hellyers Road
When it comes to serving Hellyers Road, the rule of thumb is: keep it simple to savour it. Neat in a Glencairn or tumbler is a fantastic way to enjoy the full profile, as you really appreciate those delicate Tasmanian nuances.
If you’re so inclined, add a few drops of water to open it up. Just a splash can unlock even more aroma, revealing extra layers of fruit and spice. Given the quality of Hellyers Road though, you generally won’t need ice; however, on a warm summer night, a single large ice cube can chill it without diluting too fast.
Pairings
For our money the Aurora Australis, with its creamy sweetness, is a match made in heaven for desserts. Pour a dram alongside a crème brûlée or a slice of cheesecake, and you’ll find the whisky’s vanilla and caramel notes mirror the dessert’s flavours beautifully. Similarly, a sticky date pudding or butterscotch panna cotta would draw out those toffee tones in the whisky.
If you’re nibbling on cheese, try a wedge of aged cheddar or creamy blue; the Roaring Forties’ sweetness and spice can complement the saltiness of the cheese (Tasmania produces some killer cheeses, if you wanna go with a local pairing).
For the Peated 7 Year Old or bolder releases, you can go more savoury or dark. The gentle smoke in Hellyers Road pairs wonderfully with chargrilled steak or BBQ meats; don’t be scared to pair a juicy Tasmanian beef ribeye with a dram on the side.
Similarly you could try a glass of Hellyers Peated 7 Year Old with dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher): the whisky’s smoky, peppery edge meets the chocolate’s bitterness and creates some awesome fireworks, a little trick many of us here love.
But the goal is to have fun and the joy is finding what your palate enjoys. Hellyers Road provides plenty of flavour to play with, so whether you’re sipping it solo after dinner or pairing it with your favourite Aussie dessert, you’re in for a treat.
Support Australian Craft…
When you buy a bottle of Hellyers Road or any Aussie craft whisky, you’re not just treating yourself, you’re also supporting Australian craft spirits in a big way.
By choosing a Tasmanian single malt, you’re effectively saying cheers to the farmers, maltsters and distillers who pour their passion into these bottles. And believe us, the craft distillers notice.
Hellyers Road itself went from a regional curiosity to an internationally awarded distillery largely because people took a chance on something local and loved it. This kind of grassroots success story is happening all over Australia, and at Whiskymofo, we’re all about championing these local heroes and making it easy for you to do the same.
… Get Epic Whiskymofo Value
We know our members love discovering craft whiskies and spirits, so we’ve made sure to secure some awesome perks. Member exclusive access is a big part of that – as a Whiskymofo member, you get the inside line on limited Australian whisky releases and special deals that you simply won’t find on the regular shelf.
We’re talking small-batch Tasmanian malts, experimental cask finishes, and indie distillery bottlings that might otherwise be snapped up before they ever go public. Even better, we offer them with insider pricing - often up to 40% off RRP on these gems. That means you can snag a bottle of high-end Aussie whisky (like, say, a Hellyers Road special release or a coveted single cask from another distiller) at a price that won’t break the bank.
Support local, drink brilliant whisky, share the love. Cheers!
