4 Apr 2025
The Tasmanian hills once again echoed with pride as Sullivans Cove claimed Australia’s highest whisky honour at the World Whiskies Awards 2025 in London. Taking home the coveted title of Australia’s Best Single Cask Single Malt for its extraordinary 18-Year-Old American Oak Second-Fill Single Cask No TD0033, the Hobart-based distillery reminded the world why it remains the nation’s most awarded whisky house.
This latest win, announced on March 26th, marked the seventh time Sullivans Cove has been named ‘Australia’s Best’ since 2017—a testament to a legacy carved through craft, patience, and uncompromising quality. The victorious cask, TD0033, filled in September 2005 and bottled in September 2023, spent an impressive 18 years maturing in a second-fill American oak barrel that once housed earlier Sullivans Cove spirits. The result? A limited release of only 169 bottles, each bottled at 47.3% ABV, embodying a sensory journey of vanilla, caramel, coconut, and orchard fruit, with elegant floral and herbal undertones weaving through its rich texture and long, luxurious finish.
What makes this triumph particularly significant is the use of second-fill casks—an approach once considered unconventional, now proven to unlock extraordinary complexity with time. This win signals a turning point for Australian whisky maturation, elevating its global stature through innovation rooted in tradition.
As the brand celebrates its 30th anniversary and the grand reopening of its extensively refurbished distillery in Hobart—a $14 million transformation enhancing both production and visitor experience—this award arrives at a defining moment. Guests can now witness the whisky-making magic up close, immersed in a space where age-old techniques meet modern sophistication.
Heather Tillott, Sullivans Cove’s Distillery Manager, reflected on the milestone: “A second-fill cask winning the top single cask single malt in Australia is a significant moment for Australian whisky. As always, Sullivans leads the way. I could not be prouder of our team.” Managing Director Adam Sable added, “To be recognised as we celebrate 30 years of Sullivans Cove and the reopening of our distillery is incredible.”
With over 50 accolades to its name and an unwavering dedication to excellence, Sullivans Cove continues to shape the future of Australian whisky. For those seeking to experience this award-winning spirit or explore the distillery’s immersive new chapter, visit sullivanscove.com. This is more than whisky—it’s a celebration of time, terroir, and Tasmanian brilliance.
