A historic house and four pours in 90 minutes. Old Kempton Distillery pairs a walk through Dysart House (built in 1842) with a guided spirit tasting, so you get both context and samples. I especially liked the way the tour explains the distilling process and the character of the final drink, and I really enjoyed the tasting portion with four Old Kempton samples led by John. One thing to keep in mind: it’s a scheduled group experience, so you’ll want to be ready to stick to the flow and time limits rather than linger for long, one-on-one pours.

This is the kind of stop that feels practical on a road trip. The group stays small (maximum 20), which helps questions land and keeps the pace friendly instead of rushed.

You’ll check in with a mobile ticket, and the whole thing starts and ends at the same spot, Dysart House Green at the Ponds Hotel area.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Dysart House dating from 1842: the distillery tour happens in a building with real age and presence
• A guided distilling explanation: you’re not just tasting, you’re learning what changes the spirit
• Four Old Kempton spirit samples included: enough to compare styles without turning it into an all-day session
• Run from old coaching stables: the setting makes the history feel physical, not just a story
• Small group size (max 20): better chances to ask questions during the tour

Old Kempton in Dysart House: What makes the setting matter

If you like distillery visits, this one hits a useful sweet spot. You get history you can walk through, and you get tasting that’s tied to what you just saw and learned. The distillery runs from Dysart House, built in 1842, and the production space is in the old coaching stables. That matters because the building itself gives the tour a sense of place: you’re not sitting in a generic tasting room.

I also like that the focus stays on the product. You’ll learn how spirits are distilled and how those choices show up in the finished character. That turns the tasting from casual sipping into a “try this, then notice that” session—which is exactly what helps if you’re new to whisky, gin, or liqueurs.

Where you’ll start at 1:30 pm (and how the flow works)

The experience begins at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030. The start time is 1:30 pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

That simple routing is more useful than it sounds. You’re not trying to coordinate taxis or navigate a maze of stops. For a one-and-a-half-hour experience, starting and ending in the same place keeps the day moving smoothly. It also helps if you’re fitting this into a larger Tasmania itinerary and want the detour to feel predictable.

Inside the coaching stables: the guided tour part

The guided portion is built around the historic Dysart House. You’ll tour the property and hear about its history, then you’ll see the distillery operations that have been running there since 2015.

Here’s what I like about how the tour is framed: you’re shown the physical environment first, then you connect it to the process. Distilling can sound abstract until you see the workflow and hear how the decisions affect the end result. The tour also points out that the distillery makes a range of spirits—single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs—using 100% Tasmanian ingredients. Even if you only plan to drink one style, knowing the ingredients and local sourcing approach gives context for what you’re smelling and tasting.

One practical tip: wear something comfortable for walking through a historic building. These older structures can have uneven spots or tight corners, and you’ll get more out of the tour if you’re not constantly adjusting your footing.

The tasting experience: four Old Kempton samples, guided

The tasting is one of the main reasons this tour is such good value. Your ticket includes tastings of four Old Kempton spirits, which is a solid number for a 90-minute activity. You get enough variety to compare styles, but not so much that you’re stuck in a haze by sample three.

From the experience, you can expect a guided format—so you’re not just handed pours and sent back to the bar. John’s tour approach is specifically praised for being informative about the process behind their hand crafted whisky, gin, and other liqueurs. That aligns with what you want from a tasting: short explanations that help you notice differences in aroma, mouthfeel, and finish.

If you’re a whisky person, listen closely to how they connect distillation choices to characteristics. If you’re more of a gin drinker, pay attention to any notes tied to botanicals or flavor direction (only what they actually mention, of course). And if liqueurs are your thing, focus on sweetness and balance rather than trying to treat it like a whisky tasting—liqueurs are their own category.

What you can learn about spirit character (without getting lost)

I appreciate tours that teach you enough to make your next sip smarter, not tours that overwhelm you. This one is built to do exactly that: it explains the process for distilling spirits and the characteristics that come from it.

That’s valuable because distilling influences everything you experience. The choices made during production affect aroma compounds, how flavors develop, and how the drink lands on your palate. Even a simple comparison—spirit A versus spirit B—feels more fun when you understand what might be driving the difference.

Also, since the distillery uses 100% Tasmanian ingredients, there’s a clear “point of view” to what you’re tasting. You’re not just tasting a brand; you’re tasting an approach to local ingredients and production. That helps the tasting feel grounded, especially for visitors coming from big-city brand experiences.

Single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs: tasting smart with limited time

This is a short tour, so it helps to know what to do with the tasting lineup once it’s in front of you. You’ll get four spirit samples, and the distillery’s portfolio includes single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs.

Here’s how I’d handle it to get the most value:

• Start by smelling first, then sip.
• Pick one feature to track in your head for each sample: sweetness, dryness, spice/botanical notes, smoky or oaky impressions (only if they describe those), or the way the finish changes.
• When you hear the guide explain a process point, map it to what you’re experiencing right then.

The sweet spot with four samples is that you can compare without needing to take notes like a sommelier. If you’re the type who likes to buy a bottle after a tasting, this setup is also practical: you can narrow down your favorites quickly.

Price and value: is $32 a good deal?

For $32, you’re buying a guided experience plus included tastings. In plain terms, that’s what makes the math work: you’re not paying for entry only, and you’re not paying extra for each drink. Admission to the historic Dysart House and tastings of four Old Kempton spirits are part of the package.

Is it pricey if you compare it to a free walk-by? Sure. But most distillery tours are priced for guidance and time. Here, the duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the maximum group size is 20. That suggests you’ll get real attention, not a rushed conveyor-belt format.

If you’re already planning to stop in Kempton and you enjoy trying local spirits with context, $32 is a reasonable ask. If you’re only interested in one tiny taste and don’t want any guided explanation, you might find the guided portion less necessary. But for most curious drinkers, it’s a strong fit.

Getting there from elsewhere in Tasmania: make it a road-trip win

This is often the kind of activity that works best as a stop on the way to somewhere else. Kempton is positioned so you can call in without turning the day into a long logistical project. The tasting duration is short enough that you’re unlikely to wreck your plans, and the meeting point being at Dysart House Green keeps the start clean.

If you’re traveling without a car, you’ll likely need to arrange transportation on your own, since private transportation isn’t included. If you do have a car, you’ll appreciate that the schedule is straightforward and the tour returns you to where you started.

What the guide style adds (John’s impact)

One of the best signals in the feedback is how the tour is described as excellent and informative. John is specifically called out for explaining the process behind their hand crafted whisky, gin, and other liqueurs. That’s a big deal because many tastings fail at the same spot: you get drinks, but not much help learning how to think about them.

With John leading, the tour aims to connect explanation to what you’re tasting. If you like that kind of guided comparison, you’ll likely enjoy the experience. If you prefer total silence while you drink (rare, but some people do), this may feel a bit more structured than you want.

Who should book this Old Kempton tour (and who might skip it)

I think this tour is a great match if:

• You want a short distillery stop with history and a guided tasting
• You’re curious about how distilling affects character
• You like tastings where someone explains what to notice
• You’re road-tripping and want something that fits in about 90 minutes

I’d skip or reconsider if:

• You don’t drink spirits and won’t enjoy tastings
• You’re looking for an all-day deep whisky session with lots of freedom
• You dislike scheduled group formats and prefer private, slow pacing

Should you book? My decision guide

Book it if you want a practical Tasmania experience that mixes Dysart House history, a real distillery setting, and a guided tasting that teaches you how to taste—not just what to taste. The value is strongest when you like learning a little during the experience, and when you’re happy with a structured timeline.

Don’t book it if you need private transportation or you’re set on a self-guided, slow-and-long tasting. For most people doing Tasmania by car or as a flexible itinerary, this is the kind of stop that gives you a memorable local flavor without swallowing your whole afternoon.

FAQ

What is the price of the Old Kempton Distillery tour and guided tasting?

The price is $32.

How long does the experience take?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030, Australia.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 1:30 pm.

What’s included in the tour ticket?

The ticket includes admission and tastings of four Old Kempton spirits.

What kind of spirits are part of the tasting?

You’ll receive four Old Kempton spirit samples. The distillery produces single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Do I need a printed ticket?

A mobile ticket is used, and confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Are service animals allowed, and can most people participate?

Service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate.

Is private transportation included, and what about cancellations?

Private transportation is not included. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; within 24 hours, the amount paid isn’t refunded.

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