Our People

People of the island

Meet the Makers

Fuelled by the wonder of Tasmania, we don’t just make whisky – we explore it. From the early days when our founders, Bill & Lyn Lark, challenged the status quo, to today’s team led by our Master Distiller, Chris Thomson, we’ve been pushing boundaries and rethinking what Single Malt Whisky can be.

Candid, skilled and hands-on, our team of makers and experimenters are explorers at heart. Unbound by convention, we thrive on reimagining and reshaping tradition.

Put simply, our dynamic team of whisky makers aren’t bound to follow historical rules. Leading from the front with innovation and flavour, we honour the past while truly doing things our way. The Tasmanian way. The team experiments with casks, unique finishes, and locally sourced ingredients, all in pursuit of something distinctly Tasmanian and New World.

From where it started in 1992

The early days

LARK was built by people who believed in something before there was any evidence they should. Bill and Lyn Lark didn't come from the whisky industry – they came from curiosity, commitment, and a genuine love of flavour.

That set the tone for everyone who followed.

Chris Thomson

Our Master Distiller

Master Distiller Chris Thomson started at LARK in his early twenties, a former musician drawn in by the craft. He learned under Bill, was pushed further by Lyn's relentless drive for innovation, and by 2010 had stepped up to lead.

Named Australia's Distiller/Producer of the Year in 2022 and receiving global recognition as Master Distiller/Blender of the Year – Rest of World at the World Whiskies Awards in 2026.

Chris now heads a team that shares the same energy and obsession with flavour and aren’t afraid of trying something new.

Curious, committed, and excited

Our teams connection

It’s this spirit of innovation that is earning Tasmanian whisky global recognition. This attitude shaped our founders Bill and Lyn Lark’s vision, and this outlook lives on in the next generation of our makers.

What connects everyone at LARK isn't a job title. It's a mindset. Curious, committed, and genuinely excited by what this island makes possible.

The kind of people who ask questions others aren't asking, and don't stop until they find the answer in the glass.