Flinders Island, the heart of the Furneaux group, is an enigma to most – a forgotten land on the edge of the earth – but for those of us who call it home, we couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Life here means adapting to the natural order in a place of harsh contrasts – the sense of isolation brings a rugged, can-do attitude, ingrained in our community. From our farm distillery, we craft single malt whisky with a deep sense of place. A flavour shaped by its pure, untamed surrounds.
THE ISLAND, OFF THE ISLAND, OFF THE ISLAND
There is something magical and unusual about the island. The gravel on the roads is speckled with rough quartz which glimmers in the light as you drive along the back roads. You will see eagles feasting on the side of the road, you’ll see baby wombats playing around in fields with their mothers. You’ll see snakes basking in the sun, adding to an underlying sense of danger which just makes the journey more exciting. From the time you leave the mainland behind, and fly towards a mountain in the middle of the sea, you know it will be an experience like no other.
Flying is the best way to get to the island. Sharp Airlines operate 19 seater Metroliner planes, which take you on a 1hr flight out of Essendon Airport in Melbourne, or a 30min flight from Launceston Airport in Tasmania.
Flinders Island Aviation is another great operator on the island, flying out of Bridport, NE Tasmania. These small planes fly low over the sounds giving you a beautiful birds-eye view of our paradise.
If you’re bringing a group, or just prefer privacy, Yarra Valley Aviation and Flinders Island Air Charters offer charter flights from Tasmania or Victoria.
If you really don’t like flying, or just want to bring over your car to explore more of the island, contact Bass Strait Freight to discuss sailing on the weekly barge from Bridport.
HOW TO GET HERE
The best way to enjoy the island is to switch off. Walk along the beach, climb a mountain, sit by the fire and enjoy a whisky.
There are so many beautiful locations around the island to settle in for your stay, from camping sites to budget options like the Flinders Island Cabin Park, to luxury farm stays and incredible shacks sitting by the ocean.
Check out Visit Flinders Island for the stays, and Flinders Island Car Rentals to get yourself around.
WHERE TO STAY
NEW RELEASE: DOUBLE OAK
MALT: 100% TASMANIAN UNPEATED
MATURATION: VINTAGE SEPPELTSFIELD TAWNY & HEAVEN HILL BOURBON
ABV: 43.3%
50 Year Old Seppeltsfield Tawny Port quarter casks form the heart of this dram, building a rich and expansive palate layered with lush dried fruits, muscatel grapes and dates alongside the deep, vinous sweetness that only long-seasoned fortified wine casks can deliver. These remarkable vintage casks lend both intensity and structure, though their lingering tannin called for a gentle counterpoint.
A selection of bourbon casks was introduced to the vatting, bringing soft vanilla sweetness and creamy oak that rounds the back palate and smooths the finish into a beautifully balanced whole.
TASTING NOTES:
Musk, red apple and cinnamon on the nose. Palate is full, juicy, muscatel grapes, a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is wonderful with a lingering sweet front profile, and caramel on the back. Very full and very moreish.
BATCH: FPA2
MALT: 100% TASMANIAN, FLINDERS ISLAND PEATED
MATURATION: FRENCH OAK APERA CASK
ABV: 49%
The second Flinders Island peated sherry cask we have bottled so far, and a beautiful fruity and juicy expression of the style. 100% Flinders Island peated malt - distilled and matured for almost 5 years in French Oak Apera casks on Flinders Island. Slow proofed, unfiltered.
TASTING NOTES:
Bold, sweet spice, fig, date and fruitcake on the nose. On the palate it bursts with bright cherry, a nuttiness, and a hint of licorice which develops to the oily, aromatic smoke characteristic of our coastal peat. The finish carries that gentle smoke, and a lovely sticky sweetness.
BATCH: FSPB5
MALT: 50:50 FLINDERS ISLAND PEATED & SCOTTISH PEATED
MATURATION: AMERICAN OAK BOURBON CASK
ABV: 47.9%
Maritime character is at the heart of this bottling. The salt and minerality of our rainwater with the peat smoke leaning toward the iodine-laced profile of the great Hebridean malts. Maturation in bourbon casks has preserved brightness and clarity in the spirit, giving soft vanilla sweetness and subtle spice while allowing the layered smokiness to take centre stage.
TASTING NOTES:
Bright, briny and smoky nose. A big peat punch comes through on the palate, softening up to tropical fruits, melon and a round vanilla sweetness. The fruit profile lingers through the finish, with oily peat sticking with a iodine, cresol smoke.