The people behind the whisky

People of the island

Meet the Makers

Bill and Lyn Lark are true pioneers. They paved the way for a New World whisky revolution, changing a law that had prohibited distillation since 1839, founding the Tasmanian whisky industry and putting Australian whisky on the map.

Bill has often said that it took the whole island to create LARK. They were supported by the Tasmanian community from the very beginning. From championing local producers and distillers, to drawing in visitors from around the world – the shared pioneering spirit is built on the passion to explore, question and reimagine what Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky can be.

The achievements that have followed since LARK Distilling Co. opened the first distillery on the island in 1992 speak for themselves.

People of the island

Winning Spirit

From a breakthrough win at the 2009 World Whisky Awards to honours in the Whisky Hall of Fame for both Bill and Lyn. Bill may be known as the Godfather of Australian whisky, but when you make whisky at the edge of the world you need a community, knowing when to ask for help and when to return the favour.

On Australia Day 2026, Bill Lark was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia – one of the nation’s highest honours.

“I am genuinely humbled by receiving this award and feel immensely honoured. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the sharing and collegiality offered to me by the Scottish industry, a sentiment which is largely shared today throughout the industry in Australia. Today our craft encompasses manufacturing, hospitality and tourism employing many people. I would also like to thank the many people across Australia who have helped make an amazing industry a reality.” – Bill Lark AM

Days later, Master Distiller Chris Thomson was named Master Distiller/Blender of the Year - Rest of the World at the World Whiskies Awards 2026.

The World Whiskies Awards - Icons of Whisky Awards are among the most respected in the industry. The Rest of the World category covers 40 whisky-producing nations – Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil and beyond – excluding only the USA, Ireland and Scotland. It is a serious field and winning it is a serious statement.

Chris Thomson has led LARK’s team of Whisky Makers since 2010, following the path set by Bill and Lyn Lark and pushing it further. Under his direction, LARK has developed one of the most distinct house styles in New World whisky today – characterised by fortified depth, silky complexity, and a flavour-forward approach that is shaped by the island.

“This is fantastic recognition for all the efforts of our distilling and blending team here at our new Pontville distillery. It is super exciting to see our unique Tasmanian whiskies accepted so positively on the global stage. This recognition couldn’t come at a better time as we are about to launch our new whiskies to the world — and this is the first time we have entered them into any competition.” – Chris Thomson, LARK Master Distiller

The Icons of Whisky 2026 awards, announced in London on March 25 2026, 2026, celebrate the top people, places, and producers in the global whisky industry. Chris Thomson took our the top honours of Master Distiller/Blender of the Year.

It is not lost on us that these two awards landed in the same week. Bill Lark built the foundation. Chris Thomson is building on it. The vision remains unchanged: a genuine belief that Tasmania produces world-class Single Malt Whisky, and an uncompromising commitment to proving it.

LARK is Australia’s No.1 Luxury Single Malt Whisky. With the release of our new Signature Collection, this marks the next chapter, which has been crafted with the same attention to detail and flavour that earned this recognition of our people.