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Aussie enthusiasts already know that Tasmanian whisky is among the best in the world, and now, pioneers Lark Distilling Company are seeking to prove it with the launch of a new lineup of luxury single malts.
Three expressions – Fire Trail, Devil’s Storm and Ruby Abyss – will lead the release, all encased in a stunning new 700ml bottle design and upgraded packaging that reflect Lark’s ambitions to become a leading label in luxury global whiskies. A fourth expression, Cinder Forest, will be sold exclusively at airports.
We were lucky enough to sit down with Lark’s master distiller, Chris Thomson, for a tasting session a few weeks ago, and it’s clear this isn’t just a label change. Lark is ditching the boutique 500ml bottles for a global-standard 700ml format, signalling they’re ready to move past the ‘local craft’ tag. After tasting our way through the lineup, the Fire Trail stands out as a solid daily pour, but the Ruby Abyss (AUD$400) is the real statement – using century-old Seppeltsfield casks to lean into a much darker, moodier profile than we’ve seen from them lately.
The New Lark Whisky Range
Fire Trail
Price: from AUD$170
- ABV: 41.5%
- Cask type: Matured in Port and Sherry casks.
- Flavour profile:
- Nose: Baked pears infused with golden caramel, vibrant citrus, and a delicate wisp of cedarwood.
- Taste: Chocolate ganache over stewed mulberries, seamlessly layered with vanilla custard and succulent apricot compote.
- Finish: Dark cocoa-kissed hazelnuts meet velvety coconut cream, while luscious sultanas mingle with bush honey.
- Key feature: Balanced by a subtle savoury note from apple-wood smoked water, unpeated.
Devil’s Storm
Price: from AUD$200
- ABV: 42%
- Cask type: Vintage first-fill Port and Sherry casks from Seppeltsfield and finished in American Oak.
- Flavour profile:
- Nose: Stewed plums steeped in wildflower honey, scorched orange, and roasted pecans dusted with delicate cacao.
- Taste: Dark chocolate over sun-drenched blackberries, balanced by caramel fondant and perfectly charred peaches touched with refined peat smoke.
- Finish: Old oak deepens into burnt maple syrup, with sticky toffee pudding and toasted sesame brittle, leaving a lasting warmth.
- Key feature: Powerful and perfectly balanced, this expression is lightly peated.
Ruby Abyss
Price: from AUD$400.
- ABV: 43.8%
- Cask type: 100% first-fill vintage Seppeltsfield Port (Tawny) and Sherry (Apera) casks.
- Flavour profile:
- Nose: Steeped pears in aged dessert wine, amber raisins, caramelised Demerara sugar, and a whisper of salted macadamia.
- Taste: Lush plum preserve folded through chocolate sauce, with buttery croissant layers and a drift of earthy peat.
- Finish: Deep fortified oak warmth lingers through spiced golden treacle, as candied quince and umami leave a velvety depth.
- Key feature: The inaugural release in the LARK Super Luxury range, finished with delicate Tasmanian peat smoke.
Cinder Forest (Exclusive to International Airports)
Price: from AUD$160
- Cask type: Shaped by first-fill Port and Sherry casks with a rich American Oak finish.
- Flavour profile: A harmony of sweet vanilla and honey followed by a citrus mist, chocolate, and spiced dates.
- Key feature: Available starting May 2026 exclusively at key international airports.
What the New Range Means for Lark Distillery
The new range represents a strategic shift for Lark – from a craft Tasmanian distillery to a luxury global brand name – and they certainly have the credentials to back up the hype.
It was Lark Distillery’s founders, Bill and Lyn Lark, who recognised the potential of Tasmania’s unique climate, where massive temperature fluctuations force the whisky to constantly move in and out of the cask’s wood, bringing a depth of flavour that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
In 1992, the Larks successfully lobbied to overturn Tasmania’s ban on whisky distilling, paving the way for the state’s whisky industry, which now encompasses more than 80 distilleries.
Lark won three double gold medals and two gold medals at the 2025 World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, and five medals at the World Whiskies Awards. Earlier this year, Lark’s Master Distiller Thomson was named World Whiskies Awards Master Blender and Master Distiller of the Year (Rest of the World).
“Taste is our compass,” Thomson said. “Being New World means we’re not bound by historical rules. That freedom allows us to release whiskies only when they truly sing. We taste every spirit up to 70 times before bottling, ensuring each glass expresses the true essence of Tasmania, its community, climate and terroir.”
Having actually sat down with Chris to taste through these whiskies, it’s clear this isn’t just a fancy new coat of paint for Lark. They’ve managed to take that uniquely Tasmanian DNA and refine it into something that can go toe-to-toe with the world’s biggest luxury malts. If this is the new global benchmark for Tassie whisky, the rest of the world has a lot of catching up to do.
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