The Pinnacle of Australian Whisky: Sullivans Cove 25 Year Old Single Malt Arrives

Twenty-five years of Tasmanian craftsmanship culminate in Sullivans Cove’s most extraordinary whisky to date

Sullivans Cove, the multi-award-winning distillery, has announced the release of the Sullivans Cove 25 Year Old, the oldest single malt whisky ever bottled in Australia – and one of the oldest ever to emerge from any new world whisky distillery. In fact, the Sullivans Cove 25 Year Old is believed to be the oldest from any continuously operating and dedicated new world whisky distillery. This unbroken custodianship underscores the release’s rarity and highlights the distillery’s unique early commitment to long-term maturation in large format casks, cementing its leadership in the maturing world whisky movement.

This release exemplifies Sullivans Cove’s production philosophy: patient, unrushed fermentations; high-reflux Charentais-style alembic distillation; worm-tub condensation for texture and clarity; and maturation exclusively in full-size casks. Each cask is monitored for decades, and brought to bottle only when optimal integration, balance, and complexity are achieved. Reaching a full quarter-century of maturation is a milestone for any distillery, particularly outside the traditional whisky heartlands. New world whisky is still emerging, with most distilleries founded within the last 10–15 years. Pioneering ventures such as Sullivans Cove in Tasmania, established in 1994, represent rare early examples, laying the foundations for a generation of new-world producers.

The 25 Year Old now builds on that legacy, setting a new benchmark for what is possible in Tasmania and across the world whisky category. Cask No HH0056 was matured in a 200L American Oak ex-Bourbon barrel, yielding just 134 bottles, and will be available by invitation only:“A seamless expression of spirit, oak and ex-Bourbon cask integration, showcasing balance, complexity, texture and layered flavour. A beautifully curated whisky, richly rewarding from start to finish, and a testament to the refinement and possibilities of long-term maturation.” – Heather Tillott, Distillery Manager.

Single Cask No HH0010, matured in a 300L American Oak Refill cask, yielded 349 bottles and will be released via ballot: “A benchmark of balancing the interesting and delicious, HH0010 is one of the defining casks in shaping Sullivans Cove’s approach to careful maturation. A profound display of age and character, and an enduring piece of Tasmanian and global whisky history.” – Heather Tillott, Distillery Manager.

This release demonstrates why Sullivans Cove is distinct in process and approach. Long fermentations yield a richly textured wash; distillation in small alembic stills captures subtle nuance; and the choice of large casks allows slower, more harmonious integration of oak and spirit. Sensory monitoring and careful ABV determination ensure each cask is at its peak when bottled. The two landmark casks were laid down in 1999 by early Distillery Manager and Owner, Patrick Maguire, when the potential for decades-long maturation in Australia was still uncertain: 

“To see two of our casks mature out to 25 years is something we did not expect. These casks were filled during the early days of the distillery and distilling in Tasmania. We had hopes that our locally grown barley and pure Tasmanian water would be the basis for great things.” – Patrick Maguire. Their success demonstrates Sullivans Cove’s precise cask management and the suitability of Tasmania’s cool maritime climate for long ageing – redefining what is possible at the edge of the world. 

“That, combined with our temperate climate and long-term maturation has delivered a single malt with layered elegance and depth. This whisky carries the spirit of those early years and stands as a testament to what patience and belief can achieve.” – Heather Tillott, Distillery Manager.

“This release is more than just a rare single cask,” said Andy Gaunt, Sullivans Cove CEO. “It’s a living record of our history, proof of what patience and conviction can achieve, and a statement of what world whisky has become. Twenty-five years ago, this was an audacious experiment. Today, it stands as proof that with skill, craftsmanship, and patience, great whiskies can come from anywhere in the world – especially here in Tasmania.” 

“This extraordinary release speaks to the very soul of Tasmanian whisky – shaped by our pristine environment, our climate, and a culture of patience and craft. Sullivans Cove not only elevates Tasmania’s reputation on the global stage for world-class whisky but also reminds visitors that some of the most remarkable stories of flavour and time are being written right here on our island.” Sarah Kingston Clark, Tourism Tasmania CEO.

Founded in 1994 on Hobart’s waterfront, Sullivans Cove has always pursued a distinctly Tasmanian style built on patience, precision, and respect for the spirit. Establishing a dedicated single malt distillery on the far southern edge of the world was bold. With a dedication to quality and long-term maturation, Sullivans Cove became one of the founding distilleries of the world whisky movement, laying the foundations for a globally recognised Australian whisky industry. Now, on the anniversary of that award-winning cask’s filling 25 years ago, Sullivans Cove unveils this milestone release – a whisky that embodies the journey of New World whisky itself: from bold experimentation to maturity and distinction. 

Globally, the release is extremely limited: just 50 bottles will be allocated globally across London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Singapore, reflecting the rarity and care in production. Each bottle represents decades of disciplined cask management and is intended for specialist whisky stockists and collectors. 

25 Year Old Single Cask No HH0056 – Matured in a 200L American oak ex-Bourbon cask, just 134 bottles, by invitation only. For enquiries about this special cask please contact concierge@sullivanscove.com

25 Year Old Single Cask No HH0010 – Matured in a 300L American Oak Second-Fill cask, 349 bottles, available via ballot at sullivanscove.com

The international allocation is strictly limited to a small number of bottles available per market: London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The ballot for Single Cask No HH0010 opened on 23rd October via Releases, Sullivans Cove.

A limited allocation of the Sullivans Cove 25 Year Old will also be made available to members of The Whisky Club, offering its community of enthusiasts the opportunity to secure a piece of this milestone release, sign up here via Sullivans Cove 25, The Whisky Club.