Kempton: Whisky Distillery Tour with Tastings and Lunch

Whisky meets old-world charm here. At Dysart House in Kempton, you tour a working small distillery, hear the story of an old coaching inn, and taste four spirits made with Tasmanian ingredients. I like the personal scale of the experience, limited to 10 people, and I like that lunch is not an afterthought: the antipasto platter, shared wine, and Cask Lounge finish give the visit a relaxed rhythm.

The friendly, fun guide is one of the tour’s strongest points, with the best praise focused on clear explanations and an easygoing personality. My main caution is timing. The advertised duration is two hours, but the listed tour, tasting, lunch, and coffee segments add up to about two hours and 40 minutes, so I would avoid scheduling another activity immediately afterward.

Key points to know before booking

• Dysart House sets the tone: The experience begins inside a historic property that has housed Old Kempton Distillery since November 2015.
• Four spirits are included: You receive a guided tasting of four Old Kempton products, not just a single whisky sample.
• Lunch is built into the price: A Tasmanian antipasto platter for two and a shared bottle of red or white wine are included.
• The bond store is part of the tour: You see maturing whisky and barrels in different shapes and sizes.
• The group is small: A maximum of 10 participants makes it easier to ask questions and hear the guide.
• The finish is unhurried: Tea or coffee in the Cask Lounge and 10 percent off Cellar Door purchases round out the visit.

Arriving at Dysart House in Kempton

You begin at Dysart House, home of the Old Kempton Distillery since November 2015. The setting matters because this is not a tasting room built solely for visitors. The house, grounds, distillery, bond store, cellar door, and Cask Lounge all form part of one working site.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your start time and check in with a team member at the Cellar Door. Bring your booking information, a driver’s license, weather-appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes. The tour runs rain or shine, so a damp Tasmanian day will not cancel the plan, though suitable clothing will make the grounds and distillery visits more comfortable.

The house introduction gives you a short account of Dysart House and explains the basic distillation process. That early context is useful. Instead of walking straight into a tasting without knowing how the spirits are made, you get a simple guide to the place and the work carried out there.

The house also comes with ghost stories. They are part of Dysart House’s past, and you are encouraged to keep your eyes open as you move through the property. This is a light historical touch rather than a separate ghost tour, so expect atmosphere and stories, not a full paranormal production.

Touring a working distillery for 45 minutes

The guided distillery visit takes you behind the scenes at Old Kempton. You see where the distillery operates day to day and learn about the production of single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs. The spirits are made onsite using 100 percent Tasmanian ingredients, which gives the tasting a clear sense of place.

I like this part because it connects the final drink to a real process. You are not simply sampling polished bottles in a shop. You are seeing a small craft operation and hearing how the products come together. Each tour can vary slightly because the distillery is an active workplace, not a museum display frozen in one arrangement.

The group limit of 10 is a real advantage here. A large group can make a working distillery feel distant and crowded, while this small format should give you a better chance to hear the guide and ask about the equipment, ingredients, barrels, or production methods.

The tour includes the bond store, where whisky rests and matures in barrels of different shapes and sizes. This is an important stop for anyone interested in whisky. Maturing stock gives you a glimpse of the time involved in making the finished spirit. You will not see the full result of every barrel during one visit, but you can see the stage where patience does much of the work.

The tour is conducted in English. The available information does not promise a particular guide, so do not book expecting a named host. What you can expect is a live guide and a small group rather than an audio recording or a self-guided walk.

Four spirits in the Cask Lounge

The guided tasting includes four Old Kempton Distillery spirits. The experience is described as whisky-themed, but the distillery also makes gin and liqueurs, so the four pours may give you a broader picture of the house range rather than four versions of one whisky.

This is where the guided format earns its keep. Four spirits can blur together if you taste them without context. A guide can point out differences in style and production, helping you understand what you are drinking rather than simply marking each sample as pleasant or strong.

The Cask Lounge is located in the grand coaching inn that now serves as the Old Kempton Cellar Door. It offers a more comfortable setting for the tasting and lunch than a quick stand-up sampling counter. The setting also gives the experience a sense of progression: house and distillery first, then the barrel store, then spirits and food in a lounge.

The tasting is not the best match for someone who wants a technical masterclass in whisky production. The supplied details promise an outline of distillation and a guided tasting, but not a lengthy lecture on fermentation, barrel chemistry, or regional whisky styles. If you want an approachable introduction with food and a historic setting, the balance is more appealing.

Tasmanian antipasto and a bottle of wine

Lunch is a premium antipasto platter made with fresh Tasmanian produce. It is listed as a platter for two, along with a shared bottle of Tasmanian red or white wine. You choose between red and white, which makes the meal easy to match to your preference without turning lunch into a formal restaurant service.

The food adds value in two ways. First, it turns the visit into a complete half-day outing rather than a short tasting. Second, it gives you something substantial alongside the spirits. A platter is a practical choice for a small group because it encourages sharing and keeps the meal informal.

I would keep your expectations in the right place. This is a produce-focused antipasto lunch, not a multi-course dining experience. The description does not specify the exact meats, cheeses, vegetables, or wine labels, so the contents may vary. That is normal for a menu based on local produce, but anyone with strict dietary needs should ask the operator before booking.

The wine is shared, and the tasting also includes spirits. Plan your transport carefully. Transport to Kempton is not included, and the experience is not a good fit for anyone who needs to drive immediately afterward. The tour provides alcohol as a central part of the day, so arranging a responsible driver is important.

Tea, coffee, and the Cellar Door browse

After the tour, tasting, and lunch, you finish with freshly brewed tea or coffee. This may sound like a small detail, but it gives the visit a proper ending. You can slow down, settle after the tasting, and enjoy the Cask Lounge instead of being pushed straight back outside.

The Cellar Door is also stocked with Old Kempton products, locally made produce, and souvenirs. You receive 10 percent off Cellar Door purchases on the day of your visit. That discount improves the value if you already intend to take home a bottle or buy a local food product.

I would not treat the discount as a reason to book on its own. It only matters if you plan to shop, and the cost of any purchases is separate from the tour. Still, it is a useful extra after you have tasted the range and learned how the products are made.

What the $134 price includes

At $134 per person, this is not a quick whisky tasting. The price covers the Dysart House and distillery tour, a guided tasting of four spirits, an antipasto platter for two, a shared bottle of Tasmanian wine, tea or coffee, and the Cellar Door discount.

The strongest value comes from the combination of activities. You receive a working distillery visit, a historic-house introduction, food, wine, a spirit tasting, and time in the lounge. If you paid separately for each part, the total could quickly approach the tour price, though exact stand-alone prices are not provided.

The value is less convincing if you only want to sample whisky and leave. In that case, a shorter tasting would likely suit you better, but no alternative experience is specified here. This tour makes sense for someone who wants an afternoon built around local spirits and produce.

There is also a timing issue worth keeping in mind. The advertised duration is two hours, while the stated segments are 45 minutes for the guided tour, 45 minutes for the tasting, one hour for lunch, and 10 minutes for coffee. Those parts total roughly two hours and 40 minutes. I would allow at least that much time, plus a little extra for browsing the Cellar Door.

Group size, access, and age rules

The group is limited to 10 people. That should suit you if you prefer a quieter visit and want a genuine chance to speak with the guide. The small size also fits the character of a craft distillery better than a large coach group would.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. Since the tour includes Dysart House, the distillery, bond store, lounge, and grounds, it is still sensible to confirm any specific access needs with the operator before arrival.

The age information needs careful reading. People under 18 may attend free of charge, but they cannot sample spirits. At the same time, the activity is marked as not suitable for children under 18. I would contact Old Kempton Distillery before booking for anyone under 18, since the practical policy appears to allow attendance with restrictions while the suitability notice says otherwise.

The tour takes place in all weather. Closed-toe shoes are required, and weather-appropriate clothing is important if you will be outside on the grounds or moving between parts of the property.

Who will enjoy Old Kempton most

I would recommend this experience to you if you enjoy local food, small producers, historic buildings, and guided tastings. It works especially well for couples or small groups who want a relaxed outing rather than a fast stop between other attractions.

It also suits whisky newcomers. The house introduction and basic distillation overview give you enough background to follow the tasting without requiring prior knowledge. Experienced whisky drinkers may appreciate the bond store and the chance to sample the distillery’s wider range, though the description does not promise rare or limited bottlings.

The tour is less suitable if you dislike alcohol, need a child-focused activity, or want a tightly timed two-hour stop. It is also a poor choice if you have no safe way to get to Kempton or plan to drive after the tasting and wine.

The tone of the experience is another reason to consider it. The strongest praise centers on a friendly crew, an informative presentation, and a guide with a good sense of fun. That matters in a small group. A stiff or overly technical host could make the same itinerary feel flat, while an engaging guide can turn barrels, stills, and tasting notes into an enjoyable afternoon.

Should you book this Kempton whisky tour?

Book it if you want more than a dram in a glass. The mix of Dysart House, a working distillery, maturing whisky, four spirits, Tasmanian antipasto, wine, and coffee gives you a full local experience for $134 per person.

Before booking, check the actual start time, allow closer to three hours, and arrange transport that does not require you to drive after drinking. I would also confirm the policy for anyone under 18 and ask about food requirements if needed.

For couples and small groups who value good food, friendly guiding, and a look behind the scenes, this is a well-rounded choice. For a quick tasting or a child-friendly stop, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Dysart House in Kempton, Tasmania. On arrival, go to the Cellar Door and speak with a team member using your booking information.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The listed tour, tasting, lunch, and coffee segments total about two hours and 40 minutes, so allow extra time.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes a tour of Dysart House, the distillery and bond store, a guided tasting of four spirits, an antipasto platter for two, a shared bottle of Tasmanian red or white wine, tea, coffee, and 10 percent off Cellar Door purchases on the day.

Is transport to Kempton included?

No. You are responsible for arranging transport to Kempton.

Can someone under 18 attend?

People under 18 may attend free of charge, but they cannot sample any spirits. The activity is also marked as not suitable for children under 18, so confirm the policy with the operator before booking.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring?

Bring your driver’s license, weather-appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes. The tour runs rain or shine.