REVIEW · OLD KEMPTON DISTILLERY
Kempton: Craft Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting & Lunch
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Old Kempton Distillery · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Whisky and ghost stories in one tidy tour. At Dysart House you explore grounds tied to the Old Kempton operation, then step inside the distillery and bond store for the real production feel. You finish with a guided tasting of four Old Kempton spirits and a Tasmanian antipasto platter that keeps the whole experience relaxed and worth your money.
I love that the tour is guided and hands-on, with barrels of different shapes and sizes and a clear look at how maturing whisky fits into the building’s rhythm. I also love the pacing: after a proper distillery visit, you slow down in the Cask Lounge and get a structured tasting before settling in for lunch.
One thing to consider: transportation isn’t included, and you’ll be sampling alcohol, so you’ll want a plan to get back safely (plus bring your driver’s license).
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Stepping Into Dysart House: The Place With Stories
- Old Kempton Distillery and Bond Store: Where the Whisky Takes Its Time
- Cask Lounge Tastings: Four Spirits, One Guided Sequence
- Lunch at the Distillery: Tasmanian Antipasto and a Needed Reset
- Timing and Group Feel in a Two-Hour Visit
- Price and Value: Getting More Than Just a Few Samples
- Spirits Beyond Whisky: What You Can Do If You Want More
- Comfort, Shoes, and IDs: Little Details That Matter
- Who Should Book This Kempton Distillery Tour
- Should You Book It?
- FAQ
- How long is the Kempton craft distillery tour?
- What does the $56 price include?
- Is transportation included?
- Where do I meet for the tour?
- What should I bring?
- Is the tour suitable for children?
- Is the tour guided, and in what language?
- Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Key things to know before you go
- Dysart House grounds tour ties the distillery to the place itself, not just the equipment
- Bond store access lets you see where maturing whisky hangs out
- Cask Lounge tasting in the grand coaching inn setting is comfortable and guided
- Four spirit pours (often single malt whisky, with choices that can include gin and liqueurs)
- Tasmanian antipasto platter value is normally priced at $80, included with the $56 tour
Stepping Into Dysart House: The Place With Stories
Kempton has a way of making you slow down, and this tour starts by leaning into that. You meet at Old Kempton Distillery and head into Dysart House, the site that has hosted a fully functioning distillery since November 2015.
What makes this stop feel different is that it’s not only about whisky. Dysart House has a long, lived-in feel, and part of the experience is the storytelling—ghost stories are part of the history here, so keep your eyes open and your imagination switched on during the walk around the grounds.
If you like your drinks served with context, this is a good match. You’re not just hearing facts; you’re getting the sense that the building itself is part of the brand.
Old Kempton Distillery and Bond Store: Where the Whisky Takes Its Time
The heart of the tour is a guided visit through Old Kempton Distillery and the bond store, with about 45 minutes for this behind-the-scenes look. Expect to see barrels—lots of them—with different shapes and sizes, and you’ll learn how maturing whisky lives through that waiting game.
This is the section I think most people will remember, because it answers the question you probably have the moment you first notice the barrels: what exactly is happening while it’s not being poured?
It also helps that the distillery isn’t one-note. Besides whisky, they make gin and liqueurs and other specials, so the place feels active even when the main draw is aging whisky. If you’re a curious drinker, that wider range makes the tour feel less like a one-product showroom.
A small note on the guides: the experience has been led by tour staff such as John, and the best tours keep you moving while still letting you take in what you’re seeing—so if your group gets him, plan to get both clarity and atmosphere.
Cask Lounge Tastings: Four Spirits, One Guided Sequence
After the distillery portion, you’ll take a seat in the Cask Lounge, located in the grand coaching inn setting at the Old Kempton cellar door. This is where the experience shifts gears from walking and looking to tasting and learning.
The tasting portion runs about 45 minutes and centers on four Old Kempton spirits. Your exact selection can be based on what you choose—options include whisky, gin, and liqueurs. The experience highlight you’ll hear most often is a tasting of four single malt whiskies, so if that’s what you came for, make sure you go for that tasting set when choices are offered.
What I like about a four-drink format is that it forces comparison without turning the experience into a blur. You get enough variety to notice differences, but it’s still structured and manageable in a couple of hours.
Practical tip: because you’ll be sampling alcohol, pace your sips like you’re trying to understand flavors, not chase volume. If you want to enjoy the lunch properly, don’t overcommit to the first pour.
Lunch at the Distillery: Tasmanian Antipasto and a Needed Reset
One of the smartest parts of this tour is that lunch doesn’t feel like an afterthought. You get a Tasmanian antipasto platter for one, and it’s included with the tour price.
The platter is normally valued at $80, which matters for your decision because $56 starts to look less like a “tasting fee” and more like access plus a proper meal. In other words, you’re paying for a guided distillery experience, not just a couple of tiny samples.
The lunch slot runs about an hour, giving you time to slow down between the tasting and the end of the tour. For me, that pacing is what turns this into a complete outing rather than something you fit into a crowded day.
You also get a nice contrast: the tasting is all about spirit character—heat, aroma, and finish—while the antipasto is there to balance your palate so you leave feeling satisfied.
Timing and Group Feel in a Two-Hour Visit
This is a short, focused experience: listed duration is 2 hours, with time carved up across the distillery tour, the tasting, and lunch. Even if the total time can feel tight in your head, the structure is designed to keep you from wandering aimlessly.
It helps that the tour is guided in English, so you won’t need to work to translate what you’re seeing. You do need to arrive early—plan on being there about 15 minutes ahead—because you’ll show your ticket to a cellar door team member before you head in.
As for group size, it can vary. One verified booking noted a group of 12, which suggests you’ll likely feel like you’re in a small, conversational group rather than a huge cattle-car tour.
The main consideration with a two-hour format is that it’s not long enough for deep dive questions to dominate the schedule. Think of this as a strong intro to Old Kempton and Dysart House, not a full-day behind-the-scenes pass.
Price and Value: Getting More Than Just a Few Samples
At $56 per person, this tour looks good on paper—and it also makes sense once you factor what’s included. You’re paying for:
- a guided look at Dysart House and the distillery grounds
- access to the distillery and bond store
- a guided tasting of four Old Kempton spirits
- a Tasmanian antipasto platter for one
The biggest value signal is that the antipasto platter is normally priced at $80, and it’s included. Even if you don’t treat that as a strict accounting exercise, it tells you the tour isn’t skimping on food.
So who is this best for? People who want an experience with both atmosphere and substance—history in the building, production glimpses with the barrels, and a meal that makes the cost feel fair.
One practical cost that’s on you: transportation isn’t included. If you’re using taxis or rideshare, that can change the effective price depending on where you’re staying.
Spirits Beyond Whisky: What You Can Do If You Want More
Even if whisky is your main goal, this distillery gives you options. Old Kempton makes whisky, gin, and liqueurs and other specials, and the tasting component is built around the idea that you can choose what you taste.
Also, there may be other tastings available on-site depending on your preferences. Those extras aren’t included in the tour price, but the fact that they exist means you can extend your visit if you fall in love with one style and want more.
This is a good plan if you’re the type who likes to learn fast, then linger. Do the tour for the guided overview, then build your own mini tasting afterward—if you’re staying in the area long enough.
Comfort, Shoes, and IDs: Little Details That Matter
This is a working distillery experience with walking and time spent in production spaces. Bring closed-toe shoes, and have your driver’s license with you.
Even if you’re not driving, have the ID anyway because tastings and venue procedures typically require it. Also, the tour is not suitable for children under 18, so plan on this as an adult outing.
On the positive side, it’s wheelchair accessible, which makes it easier for more people to enjoy the experience without guessing whether the terrain will work.
Who Should Book This Kempton Distillery Tour
Book it if you want a compact, high-value tasting day that doesn’t cut out the food or the story. It’s especially good for:
- whisky lovers who want a guided understanding of maturing barrels and the bond store
- travelers who like historical sites with a bit of spooky charm
- couples or small groups who want a short activity with a clear ending
Skip it if you want a self-paced wander without guides, or if alcohol sampling is a hard no for your travel plan. Since transportation isn’t included and the tasting is part of the package, it’s best suited to people who can handle safe logistics.
Should You Book It?
Yes, I’d book it if you’re in Tasmania and you want a guided distillery experience that feels genuine and complete in two hours. The combination of Dysart House atmosphere, a real bond store look at maturing whisky, and a meal that’s included at a stated $80 value makes this one of the easier choices to justify.
One final check before you go: make sure your schedule can spare the full block, and plan your transport so you can enjoy the tasting without stress.
FAQ
How long is the Kempton craft distillery tour?
The tour runs for about 2 hours.
What does the $56 price include?
It includes a guided tour of Old Kempton Distillery and Dysart House, a tasting of 4 Old Kempton spirits (your selection can include whisky, gin, and liqueurs), and a Tasmanian antipasto platter for one.
Is transportation included?
No, transportation is not included.
Where do I meet for the tour?
You meet at Old Kempton Distillery. Arrive about 15 minutes early and show your ticket to a Cellar Door team member.
What should I bring?
Bring your driver’s license and wear closed-toe shoes.
Is the tour suitable for children?
No, it is not suitable for children under 18.
Is the tour guided, and in what language?
Yes, there is a live tour guide, and the tour is in English.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.
