“Our isolation leads to innovation.”

In the last of the episodes recorded at the inaugural Grainstock in the Riverina in October, we take a sidestep into the world of spirits, welcoming one of Australian whisky’s true characters onto the show.

Tim Duckett, who grew up on a farm in Tasmania’s North West, bought his first barrels of whisky back in 1999, so has been both participant in and observer of the rise of the local industry.

The whiskies he releases under the Heartwood banner are sought-after the world over, often selling out batches in advance, admired for their consistency of quality, renowned for the might of their impact, and noted for the humour found in their names and labels. Since 2015, he’s also released lower-ABV, typically more approachable whiskies under the Tasmanian Independent Bottlers banner.

An outspoken commentator on the industry, one unafraid to ruffle feathers, he joined us to reflect on his own life in whisky since meeting Lyn and Bill Lark in its fledgling days, how Australian whisky is regarded globally, the current issues that have brought some businesses down – not unlike in the beer world, the need for federal support, and the difficulty in defining an Australian characteristic beyond “We give it a crack” in a vast country where distillers operate in such varied climes.

James is joined by a guest co-host this week too. Luke McCarthy is one of the country’s most respect drinks writers, recently penned a piece for us on the trials and tribulations of the Australian whisky industry, and provides background and context ahead of the main interview.

Start of segments:

• 10:32 – Tim Duckett Part 1
• 37:06 – Tim Duckett Part 2

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