Kangaroo Island Spirits prepares to release its first single malt whisky this May, marking a new chapter for the distillery best known as Australia’s first dedicated gin producer.
For the past few years, the distillery has been working away at bringing this special new addition to their portfolio. The range isn’t positioned using a particular age statement, and instead targets a certain flavour. Now, the team says simply but directly, “the whisky is ready.”
This first release will feature three expressions: Kangaroo Island Single Malt: Bourbon Cask, Tawny Cask, and Apera Cask.
The inaugural range has been distilled and matured entirely on Kangaroo Island using island-grown grain and rainwater. The whisky has spent its time ageing in Bourbon, Tawny and Apera casks.
Kangaroo Island’s environment plays a subtle role in shaping the spirit. The distillery sits among farmland and coastal scrub, with barrels ageing through warm summers, cool winters and the steady influence of Southern Ocean air.
Over time, the whisky develops its depth and balance, shaped by the island climate and the character of the casks.
Each expression begins with the same base spirit. The cask is what defines the final whisky.
Head Distiller Charlie Schmidt, a second-generation distiller, has spent several years developing the whisky program at Kangaroo Island Spirits.
“We spent a lot of time focusing on the basics when designing our whisky program,” Schmidt says.
“Like a lot of things, it’s about doing the simple things right. Use local ingredients, take your time, be consistent and trust the process. Our whisky has been quietly maturing in the background for years. Now it’s reached the point where we feel it’s ready to share.”
Kangaroo Island Spirits is already one of Australia’s most awarded craft spirit producers. The distillery’s Wild Gin was crowned Best Australian Gin at the Dan Murphy’s Decoded Spirits Awards in 2024, judged from more than 450 entries across 19 categories.
The distillery will officially unveil its Single Malt Whisky range in May 2026.
For more info on Kangaroo Island Spirits, click here.
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