Nant Distillery to double its production in 2018

Tasmanian whisky distillery The Nant Distillery has announced it will double its production in 2018 and develop its distillery site into a visitor experience for whisky lovers.

Head distiller Jack Sellers said the expansion was welcome among the loyal staff after the difficulties experienced prior to Australian Whisky Holdings purchasing the brand, property and production assets from liquidators 18 months ago.

“The demand for our whisky has never waned and we are so pleased to be getting on with improving our production facilities and making our site a must see for locals and tourists to the Central Highlands,” he said.

“The first stage includes the installation of two new 3000 litre fermenters, and new support infrastructure, which will be housed in the back of the current distillery.

“Tasmanian Firm Vos Constructions is putting the finishing touches on stage one of the project and we expect to increase our production volume from around eight barrels per week to approximately 14 barrels per week.

“The mash tun which is currently upstairs in the old mill will be moved to the back of the existing distillery to make our production processes more efficient.

“It will also make room for a beautiful new bar as part of stage two of the development to further enhance the visitor experience."

Australian Whisky Holdings' significant investment in the distillery is carving a new future for Nant and its team.

Australian Whisky Holdings chief executive Chris Malcolm said the Bothwell-based workforce had done a remarkable job developing the expansion for the business while also continuing to produce whisky of the highest quality.

“We currently have 12 passionate employees working for The Nant Distillery with plans for another four to join the team in the coming months,” he said.

“It is important that we employ locals and want to continue to work with the Bothwell community as we expand.

“By 2024 we plan to sell about 700 barrels of whisky, which takes around five years to mature in the barrel.”

Much of this is funded by a recent successful capital raising campaign that aimed to raise $6 million, but ended up raising $7.5 million instead.

“It has been our aim to ensure we continue to make world class whisky and the quality is as good as ever, having recently won double gold at the China Wine and Spirit Awards for our Bourbon Cask Whisky and Port Cask Whisky and single gold for our Sherry Cask Whisky,” Malcolm said.

Seppeltsfield invests in Australian Whisky Holdings to drive China growth

Australian Whisky Holdings announced earlier this week that under a convertible note, Barossa wine producer Seppeltsfield has converted loans to equity, forming a strategic investment in the whisky company.

Seppeltsfield, one of Australia’s oldest wineries was founded in 1851 by Joseph Ernst Seppelt. Both the chairman of Seppeltsfield, Randolph Bowen, and the largest shareholder and Managing Director, Warren Randall, have a great interest in the development of the Australian whisky industry.

Last year, Randall noted to the Australian Financial Review: "Oh, and I've also just bought a sizeable chunk of Australian Whisky Holdings (who) own or part-own four of Tasmania's distilleries: Nant, Lark Overeem and Redlands. Which means they – well, we, I suppose – now produce about a third of total Tasmanian whisky."

Based in South Australia, Seppeltsfield has contracts in place for the distribution of its products into China, providing working synergies with Australian Whisky for its expansion plans into the Chinese market.

Australian Whisky noted in a statement: "Seppeltsfield will be exploring these synergies with the aim of expanding the company’s international distribution channels. As an established supplier of a high quality aged sherry and port barrels to the whisky industry, further synergies are achieved between Australian Whisky and Seppeltsfield as these barrels are important to the production and ageing of single malt whisky.:

Warren Randall commented: “Australian Whisky has a great product range across their brands and we are delighted to have a strategic investment in the Company. We look forward to exploring the working relationship between the two companies and assisting in expanding Australian Whisky’s international distribution channels.”

Australian Whisky CEO Chris Malcolm added: “Seppeltsfield’s strategic investment into Australian Whisky not only signifies the strength of the Australian Whisky business, but importantly also provides working synergies between the two companies. We greatly appreciate the support and look forward working with Seppeltsfield to pursue new opportunities.”

Pictured: Chris Malcolm and Jack Sellers with distillery plans at Nant.