Tasmanian whisky distiller Waubs Harbour wins World Whiskies Award 10 months after launch

An ambitious Tasmanian distillery that has only had whisky available for sale for 10 months has been awarded a Category Winner Gold at the World Whiskies Awards 2024.

Waubs Harbour Distillery won the Small Batch Single Malt category for its Waubs Original, beating 22 other entrants from around the world.

“Six years into our mission to create a world-class maritime Tasmanian whisky and the fruits of our love and labour are paying off,” said Waubs Harbour co-founder Tim Polmear.

Polmear co-founded the distillery at Bicheno on Tasmania’s east coast with his brother Rob and wife Bec, the award is instant confirmation that Waubs Harbour has arrived on the world stage.

“It’s an amazing bit of early recognition. This particular award holds a lot of weight in the world of whisky. My phone was lighting up as soon as it was announced: our industry and customers were very excited.”

“It gives you a lot of confidence in your brand and product, and gives us a lot of excitement for the future.”

Waubs Harbour’s origins

Standing around a fire seven years ago, whisky in hand, Tim asked his brother Rob (ex-Lark Distillery Head of Production and Overeem Whisky Head Distiller) a simple question: “If you could make whisky your way, using the best equipment in the perfect location, how would you do it?”

That night sparked the vision that became Waubs Harbour Whisky, and the mission statement: “Maritime Tasmanian single malt whisky made our way”.

This is a truly maritime Tasmanian single malt whisky in the west of Scotland maritime tradition, that embraces and encourages the influence of Tassie’s wild, Tasman Sea coastal provenance.

Housed in a series of buildings around a stunning natural harbour known as The Gulch in Bicheno that previously housed an oyster hatchery and abalone farm, Waubs Harbour is Tasmanian whisky’s newest star. 

Opened by Tasmania’s premier Jeremy Rockliff in April 2023, when bottle number #01 of their Founder’s Reserve whisky was auctioned for $4800, the business seems destined for global success. But building a brand requires patience.

“Whisky is such a long-term investment,” said Polmear. “You’re buying ingredients for spirit before you can even get it into a barrel. There’s a lot of economies of scale before you can start thinking about breaking even.”

“You’re always putting whisky down well in advance, allowing for growth, deploying a bit of a crystal ball. It’s a ten-year business of going backwards before you go forward, there’s a lot of belief and passion required.”

“There are other businesses that are better for short-term gains.”

“[For Waubs Harbour] It’s not about the financial return, it’s about the legacy we can create, the brand and the love for it, and the journey we are on.”

Tassie whiskies win big

The World Whiskies Awards 2024 were announced on Friday in London after a global judging process.

Tasmanian brands punched above their weight in the associated Icons of Whisky Rest of the World regional awards too, with industry leader Sullivans Cove scooping four gongs (for brand ambassador, brand innovator, sales team and head distiller), and emerging force Callington Mill Distillery two (for craft producer and visitor attraction).

The Rest of World category acknowledges producers outside Scotland, Ireland and the US.

Bethany Brown, chair of judges for the Icons of Whisky, said: “Our Rest of World distillers are proving time and again that the New World’s shorter history of whisky production in no way diminishes its standing in the category globally.”

“From Norway to New Zealand, the Rest of World region is spawning its own revered master distillers, building passionate teams of whisky experts, and shedding light on new ways to make whisky, and more distilleries are now showing off their work and wares to the public with world-class visitor experiences.”

“As the region continues on this positive trajectory, we at the Icons of Whisky can’t wait to see which avenues these producers will explore next.”