A first taste in Kempton can set the tone fast. This Old Kempton Distillery experience pairs a guided look at the property with a four-spirit tasting, then follows it up with lunch and wine. It’s built for an easy 11:00 am start and a relaxed pace.

I especially like the mix of education and eating: you get a guided tour of Dysart House and the grounds, plus a proper lunch using Tasmanian produce. Another big win is that you share a bottle of wine with your meal, so it feels like more than just a quick sample-and-go.

One thing to consider: the bond store is currently closed for safety upgrades, so you won’t get that specific stop. If you were hoping for every room of the operation, plan for that gap before you go.

Key things to know before you book

• Four spirits, guided tasting style: You’ll sample four Old Kempton Distillery spirits with guidance.
• Lunch + wine for two: Antipasto platter with Tasmanian produce plus a bottle of wine to share.
• Dysart House guided tour: You’ll tour the grounds, stables, and the main property story.
• Bond store is closed right now: Safety upgrades mean that part is not included on the day.
• Private tour for your group: Only your group participates, making questions and pacing easier.
• After-lunch time at the Cask Lounge: You’ll have a chance to go there for more tastings.

Old Kempton Distillery at 11:00: Your easy start in Kempton

This tour is designed around a straightforward meeting point and a simple flow. Meet at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton (right in the town area), and expect the experience to run for about three hours.

The timing matters because it keeps the day from stretching out. An 11:00 am start gives you lunch included, and you’re done early enough that you can keep exploring Tasmania after.

It’s also a private tour/activity, meaning it’s just your group. That usually makes the experience feel calmer and more personal than a larger group schedule, especially during tastings and when you want to ask practical questions.

Dysart House and the distillery story you’ll actually use

You’ll begin with a fully guided look at Dysart House, including the grounds and stables. You’ll also learn about the history of the property and the distillation process—this is the part that turns a spirit tasting into something you can understand while you sip.

There’s a specific catch: the bond store is currently closed for safety upgrades. That means the guide can’t bring you through that storage space today. It’s not unusual for older properties to have periodic closures for safety work, but it does reduce what you might expect from a full tour route.

Still, you shouldn’t treat the rest of the visit as a consolation prize. The grounds and stables are part of what helps you picture how operations worked, and that context can make the tasting more meaningful. If you like connecting place and product—who made it, why the building mattered, how production works—this opening stage will likely click for you.

The four-spirit tasting: how to get more from it

The heart of the experience is a guided tasting of four Old Kempton Distillery spirits. You’re not just given a drink and sent on your way. You’ll be guided through what you’re tasting, which helps you pick up differences instead of just tasting whatever is poured.

Here’s the practical way to handle the tasting: take small sips, pause between spirits, and pay attention to how each one changes. If one spirit feels sweeter, spicier, smoother, or more intense, that’s the clue. During tastings like this, you’ll generally get the most value when you treat each pour as its own comparison, not as a single checklist.

The tour format also makes it easier to ask for clarification. Because it’s private, you can speak up if you want the guide to slow down or explain something about the distillation process you heard earlier.

From the feedback, the spirit tasting is one of the big reasons people rate this highly. When the guide keeps the tasting flowing and the information ties back to what you’re tasting, it turns the experience into a real value-add—not just a freebie with lunch.

Lunch in Kempton: antipasto with Tasmanian produce

After the property time, you get lunch: an antipasto platter made with Tasmanian produce, plus tea or coffee. Then comes the part that turns this from a snack into a proper meal—there’s a bottle of wine to share.

That shared bottle matters. It changes the mood. You’re not just recovering from tastings; you’re actually settling in for a meal while the flavors you just learned about are still fresh in your mind.

One more detail that’s easy to miss until you’re there: lunch includes both food and a drink, and that’s part of the overall pricing value. If you normally skip lunches on tours because they feel overpriced, this one is built to justify it—especially for a couple.

And yes, there’s also something small but important for planning: you’re not rushing after lunch. You’ll then have time to go to the Cask Lounge for more tastings.

Cask Lounge time: optional tastings after your meal

Once you’ve eaten, you can visit the Cask Lounge for more tastings. The key word here is more. The main four-spirit tasting is the structured part of the program. The Cask Lounge is your extra opportunity to keep exploring what Old Kempton offers.

What I like about this setup is that it gives you choice without turning the day into chaos. You’ve got the guided tasting and lunch done, so you’re not making decisions while you’re hungry or still learning the basics.

If you enjoy trying new things but you don’t want the pressure of a long bar-hopping situation, this is a good way to extend the experience at your own pace.

How long it really takes (and how to plan around it)

The duration is listed as about 3 hours, which is a very manageable block. You’re also told the tour ends back at the meeting point, so you don’t need to arrange transport for the second half of your day.

Because you start at 11:00 am, plan to treat this as the main event of your morning. Eat a light breakfast if you can, or if you’re arriving hungry, you’ll still be fine—lunch is included—but a light breakfast usually makes the wine and tasting experience more comfortable.

Also, consider the alcohol piece in your planning. This is a tasting plus wine with lunch, so build in a relaxed pace afterward. If you’re thinking of driving long distances right after, give yourself time.

Price and value: $210 for two is either a deal or a match-up

The price is $210 for this premium tour and lunch package for two. That’s about $105 per person for roughly three hours of: guided property tour time, a guided tasting of four spirits, an antipasto platter with Tasmanian produce, tea or coffee, and a bottle of wine to share.

Value is less about the number and more about what you’ll actually enjoy. If you want a guided distillery-style experience plus a real lunch (not a token snack), this package is built for you.

If you mainly want a quick photo stop or you’re not interested in spirits, the pricing won’t feel as efficient—because the tasting and wine are central to what you’re buying.

Also, keep the bond store closure in mind when you judge value. It slightly reduces what’s available on the tour route, but you still get the guided Dysart House, grounds, and stables time, plus the structured tasting and meal.

Who this tour suits best (and who might feel mismatched)

This tour fits best if you’re the type of traveler who likes three things in one block:

• learning something practical (how the process ties to the place),
• tasting with guidance (so differences make sense),
• and finishing with a solid lunch.

It’s a good match for couples and small groups because it’s private and focused. It also works for most travelers, and service animals are allowed.

A possible drawback showed up in at least one account: the guidance felt disorganized and the guide knowledge didn’t meet expectations on the day. That’s not a reason to avoid the experience entirely, but it is a reason to come prepared with questions.

When you arrive, ask a couple of pointed questions early—something like what you should notice between the four spirits, or how the distillation process connects to flavor. In a private setting, good answers can turn a so-so explanation into an enjoyable session.

Should you book this Old Kempton premium tour for two?

If you want a laid-back 11:00 am experience in Kempton that combines a guided distillery tour with a four-spirit tasting and a proper Tasmanian antipasto lunch plus wine, this is an easy yes.

I’d especially book it if:

• you and your travel partner like tastings and want a guided explanation,
• you want lunch handled for you,
• and you’d rather do one well-paced afternoon than stack multiple stops.

I’d think twice if:

• the bond store stop is the main reason you wanted this specific tour, since it’s closed for safety upgrades right now,
• or you’re very sensitive to how guided the tasting feels, because one account found the delivery lacking.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 11:00 am.

How long is the tour?

Plan on about 3 hours.

Where do I meet for the Old Kempton Distillery tour?

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

Is there a guided spirit tasting included?

Yes. You’ll enjoy a guided tasting of 4 Old Kempton Distillery spirits.

What’s included with lunch?

Lunch includes an antipasto platter made with Tasmanian produce, plus tea or coffee, and there’s a bottle of wine to share.

Do I get to visit the Cask Lounge?

After lunch, you can visit the Cask Lounge for more tastings.

Does the tour include a bond store visit?

The bond store is noted as currently closed for safety upgrades, so it won’t be part of the tour during this time.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

What ticket type do I need?

You’ll receive a mobile ticket.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

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