HOW IT STARTED

Some dreams begin with a plan, others start with a single step into the unknown 

  • For Bill McHenry, whisky-making wasn’t part of a lifelong plan, it was a leap of faith.

    After years leading pharmaceutical companies in Sydney and the USA, Bill felt the pull to create something more tangible.

    He didn’t just want to build a business, he wanted to create something lasting, something real, a legacy for his family. 

  • With a background in Chemistry and Agricultural Science, Bill saw an opportunity to bring his skills into a craft that combined science, nature, and tradition.

    In 2007 Bill set out to find not just a location for the distillery, but the perfect environment to craft world-class Whisky and Gin. The search lead to

IN PORT ARTHUR TASMANIA

where Bill and his wife Alison discovered a secluded 100-acre property on Tasmania’s rugged Tasman Peninsula, a place where nature remains wild and untouched.

Nestled on the property within the landscape are five pristine natural springs, delivering some of the purest water in the world.

Combined with the cool, ocean-tempered climate, the conditions here are nothing short of perfect for whisky making and slow, graceful maturation.

  • Natural Springs

    The land had everything needed to create extraordinary spirits. Five natural springs weave through the property, supplying some of the purest water on Earth which is the foundation of our exceptional Whisky and Gin.

  • Clean Air

    Tasmania’s pristine air, scientifically recognised as the cleanest in the world, further ensures that every batch distilled at McHenry reflects the purity of its surroundings. 

  • Finest Whisky

    Born from this extraordinary environment, McHenry Distillery stands as the Southernmost Distillery and Brewery in the world, where nature’s finest elements meet a legacy of craftsmanship.

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IT's A FAMILY LEGACY

What began as one man’s vision has grown into a thriving family business, where passion, expertise, and tradition come together to create Tasmania’s finest Whisky and Gin.

What started as a quiet operation has since become one of Tasmania’s most respected Distillery and Brewery. The reputation has been built on the quality of the spirits and the strength of the family behind them.

Bill’s wife, Alison, has played a vital role from the beginning, supporting every twist and turn, milestone and bottle produced.

The McHenry family extends beyond blood. Some of the earliest team members who rolled the first barrels, tested the first spirits, and crafted the first batches of McHenry gin and whisky, are still there today. Though they may not share the family name, they share the same dedication, passion, and pride in every bottle, an integral part of the McHenry legacy. 

All three McHenry children have played a part in shaping the business.

Hamish, the McHenrys’ son, was deeply involved in the early years, helping to launch the Salamanca Market stall, assisting with setting up the operations, and helping construct the iconic barrel vault. His contribution, energy, and care remain part of the distillery’s foundation still today.
Hamish’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 24, but his legacy lives on in the structures he helped build, the spirit of place, and the McHenry story that continues to unfold.

Katie, the eldest daughter, was also instrumental in the start-up years, working on the market stall, supporting brand growth, and helping the business gain its early momentum. Now a practising lawyer, she advises the distillery on legal and contractual matters and will soon launch her own venture The Tasmanian Whisky and Gin Co, continuing the family’s connection to the industry.

Lucy, the youngest of the three, now leads McHenry’s brand and marketing presence. With her creative approach and vision, she is helping to grow the distillery and brewery’s reputation nationally and internationally. She also launched Sunday Club Seltzers, a ready-to-drink label that reflects both her innovation and the McHenry spirit.

Together, they’ve built not just a distillery, but a legacy that now includes a brewery, a place to stay, a space to celebrate, and a name that leaves memories for everyone who visits.

The Art Of Distilling

McHenry Distillery is unique for its location and the complete control it has over its distilling process, ensuring uncompromised quality from grain to glass.

Unlike many distilleries, McHenry operates its own brewery on-site, producing its own wash from its own pristine spring water, the essential foundation of whisky-making. This rare level of oversight means that every drop of spirit is crafted with absolute precision, consistency, and integrity from the very start.

Every batch of whisky and gin is handcrafted using traditional distillation methods, honouring the time-tested techniques that have defined great spirits for centuries.


McHenry Distillery is home to two state-of-the-art, Tasmanian-built copper pot stills, both crafted for precision and performance. Our 1,500 litre and 3,000 litre stills allow each spirit to evolve with clarity and character, unlocking the depth, smoothness, and complexity that define every McHenry pour.

At McHenry, time is just as important as technique. Unlike mass-produced spirits, our whisky is allowed to mature naturally in the cool Tasmanian air, where the ocean-cooled climate enhances the process.

This unique environment slows the aging process, allowing for a long, refined maturation that enhances depth, smoothness, and character.

Every cask is carefully selected to complement our spirit’s development, ensuring that oak, climate, and time work in harmony to create whisky that is rich, complex, and distinctly Tasmanian.

To taste a McHenry spirit is to experience more than just a drink, it’s to step into a story the began with a dream of craftsmanship, innovation, and nature working in perfect balance.

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