A historic building full of modern spirit-making tricks is the real draw here. At Old Kempton Distillery, you’ll get a guided walk through Dysart House and then taste your way through four Old Kempton samples. It’s an easy, value-focused stop in Tasmania that mixes old-coach-stables charm with hands-on spirit education.

I especially like the small-group feel (up to 20 people) and the fact that the tour includes four tastings for one set price. That combo means you’re not just watching someone pour—you’re getting guided context as you sample.

One thing to consider: you’re there for a scheduled, time-bound experience (about 1 hour 30 minutes), so if you’re after lots of free roaming or a long sit-down meal, this isn’t that kind of stop.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Historic Dysart House (1842): the tour takes place in the building itself, not a nearby visitor room.
• Coach-stables setting: the distillery runs from the old stables, which adds atmosphere without extra cost.
• Four included spirit samples: you leave with a proper tasting lineup, not just a token sip.
• Learn the distilling process and characteristics: the guide ties the why to what you taste.
• Tasmanian ingredients: the spirits are made from 100% Tasmanian inputs.
• Operated since 2015: you get a bridge between the heritage building and the modern distillery.

Entering Dysart House: Where 1842 Meets Today’s Spirits

If you like Tasmania for the details—old buildings, working trades, and local craft—this experience hits the sweet spot. Old Kempton Distillery is set inside Dysart House, a historic property dating from 1842. The tour isn’t in some distant museum corner; it’s part of the working space.

What makes this setting more than scenery is how it changes the tone of the visit. You’re walking through a heritage place that still has a job to do. That matters because the guide can point out how the distillery fits into the house’s story, rather than treating heritage as window dressing.

The distillery is run from the old coaching stables too. That gives you a “this used to have a different life” feeling as you move through the space. It’s one of those small touches that makes a short tour feel more real.

What Your $32 Ticket Actually Buys: Four Samples and Local Ingredients

Let’s talk value, because the price is a big part of why people like this stop. For $32, you’re not just paying for entry—you’re getting a guided tour plus tastings of four Old Kempton spirits. In a place where alcohol tastings can add up quickly, bundling it with the tour is what keeps the experience from feeling overpriced.

You’re also tasting products made from 100% Tasmanian ingredients, which is a strong selling point if you’re trying to understand what makes a region’s spirit identity distinct. Even if you’re not a hardcore whisky nerd, that local ingredient focus gives the tasting a reason beyond flavor-only curiosity.

From the info provided, the distillery produces several styles, including single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs. That matters because it gives you variety in the tasting lineup. You’re likely to notice differences in aroma, weight, and finish as the guide explains how distilling choices shape the final character.

One practical note: this tour includes alcohol tastings, so it’s best for adults who are happy to sample. If you’re traveling as a group with mixed drinkers, plan ahead for who will enjoy the tasting portion.

The Guided Format: How a 1.5-Hour Tour Feels Efficient

This is a guided group experience with a maximum of 20 travellers, and it runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes. That length is ideal for two reasons. First, it’s long enough to learn the process and connect it to what you taste. Second, it won’t eat your whole afternoon if you’re building a day around other stops.

The tour is structured as a single main stop at Old Kempton Distillery, inside Dysart House. You start at the meeting point and then you do the distillery tour and tasting, ending back at the same place. The schedule is simple, which is great if you’re juggling driving times on a Tasmania route.

Also, the tour uses a mobile ticket, which means less fuss on arrival. Bring your phone, keep it handy, and you’re ready to go.

If you’re someone who gets impatient in long, slow tours, this one is usually a better fit than an all-day “see everything” plan. The format is built for focus: learn, taste, ask a few questions, move on.

Dysart House and the Distillery Layout: The Coaching Stables Story

One of the best parts of this visit is how the space itself supports the explanation. Since the distillery is run from the old coaching stables, the guide can connect the past and the present in a way that feels tangible.

Dysart House isn’t just mentioned as history—it dates back to 1842, and the distillery operates there as a working site. That means you’re not just seeing old walls; you’re watching how a modern craft business functions inside that shell.

The distillery has been operating there since 2015, producing multiple spirits. That detail helps you frame the place correctly: it’s heritage with an active craft operation, not a fully static restoration.

You’ll also learn about the process for distilling spirits and what creates each spirit’s characteristics. Even if you’re new to distilling, a guide-led format helps. You can follow the steps while tasting, rather than trying to read it after the fact.

The Spirits You’ll Taste: Whisky, Gin, and Liqueurs

You’re included for four Old Kempton spirit samples, which is a sweet spot. It’s enough variety to compare styles, but not so much that it turns into a blur.

Based on the distillery’s range, you can expect the tasting to include spirits such as single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs. The key is that you’re tasting within a local product lineup, all from the same maker. That makes your comparisons more meaningful than doing random tastings at different spots.

The guide also focuses on how distillation decisions shape flavor and character. That makes the tasting feel like more than sampling. You start noticing things like how the base spirit and any botanical or recipe choices can change aroma and finish—especially when you’re comparing something like gin against whisky.

If you’re the type who usually just orders a drink and moves on, this format may change how you choose next time. You’ll likely walk away with a better sense of what you personally like: lighter and aromatic, or richer and deeper, plus how different spirits settle on the palate.

How to Taste During the Tour (So You Actually Get Something From It)

I’ll give you a simple plan so the tasting time feels useful, not rushed.

First, treat each pour as a mini comparison. Before you take a full sip, spend a few seconds on aroma. Then sip once, let it sit briefly, and ask yourself what hits first: sweetness, spice, fruit, grainy warmth, botanical lift, or a softer liqueur-style profile.

Second, use the guide’s explanations as a map. If they mention how distilling affects character, you can test that idea immediately by paying attention to how the taste changes from start to finish.

Third, pick one thing to remember from each sample. Not everything—just one point per spirit. When you leave, you’ll be able to order confidently later, instead of saying it all tasted good.

One small caution: since you’re sampling alcohol, pace yourself. If you rush, you’ll lose the differences between the four spirits. A calm sip-by-sip approach lets you enjoy the education rather than just the alcohol.

Where This Fits on Your Tasmania Route (And Why It’s a Smart Stop)

This is one of those tours that works well even if you’re not doing a full distillery circuit. It’s a friendly stop that can slot into a road trip without requiring a major detour.

The location is in Kempton, Tasmania, with the tour starting at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030. From a planning perspective, that’s helpful if you’re moving between larger destinations and want a break that feels local, not generic.

I also like that it’s only one stop. No running around, no hopping between multiple sites. You get a complete experience in one place, and you return to the start point at the end.

If you’re driving toward or through Hobart, this kind of distillery visit can act like a palate cleanser. It’s fun, it’s informative, and it’s a way to slow down and enjoy a crafted product without turning the day into a marathon.

Practical Logistics: Timing, Group Size, and What to Expect

Here are the nuts and bolts that help you plan:

• Duration: about 1 hour 30 minutes
• Group size: up to 20 travellers
• Start time: 1:30 pm
• Meeting point: Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030
• End point: back at the meeting point
• Ticket type: mobile ticket
• Service animals: allowed
• Accessibility: most travellers can participate

The start time matters because it affects meal timing. If you’re traveling midday, you’ll want to eat something light before you arrive, since you’ll be doing tastings while the tour runs.

The group size keeps things conversational. With a max of 20, there’s usually enough room for questions, but it still keeps the tour moving at a practical pace.

If you’re trying to decide what order to do stops in your day, this is a solid option for the afternoon. It’s structured enough to fit, and the tasting gives you a fun payoff before you head off to your next destination.

Service and Guide Style: When Clarity Makes the Tour Better

A big part of whether a distillery tour is enjoyable comes down to the guide’s delivery. The information here suggests the tour is taught by someone who keeps the explanation clear and the process easy to follow.

In one account, John is specifically mentioned for being informative while guiding the distillery process and the craft behind whisky, gin, and other liqueurs. That kind of guide-led clarity is what helps you taste with intention, not confusion.

On the operations side, Erin Cole is named as the Cellar Door Manager in a response. That hints at a well-run tasting space where staff care about visitor experience, not just sales.

You don’t need to be a spirits expert going in. The value comes from having someone translate distilling choices into language you can taste.

Should You Book the Old Kempton Distillery Tour and Guided Tasting?

I think you should book this if you want a short, focused distillery experience that pairs heritage with a real tasting. At $32 with four included samples, it’s strong value for people who like learning while enjoying a drink.

Book it if:

• you like Tasmania-made products and want to taste more than one spirit style
• you enjoy guided explanation more than self-guided wandering
• you’re passing through Kempton and want a memorable stop that doesn’t take half your day

Skip it if:

• you want a full-day, in-depth whisky masterclass format
• you don’t drink or you hate alcohol tastings (since tastings are part of the experience)

If you’re on the fence, here’s the decision rule I use: if you’ll actually pay attention to what you’re tasting and you prefer guided structure, this is a smart buy.

FAQ

How long is the Old Kempton Distillery tour and guided tasting?

The experience runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is included in the $32 price?

Admission is included, along with tastings of four Old Kempton spirits.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030.

How many samples will I taste?

You’ll taste four Old Kempton spirit samples as part of the guided tasting.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travellers.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded.

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