Old Kempton in an 1842 house. I like that the tour explains how distilling works, and I love that it ends with four Old Kempton samples. It’s a simple setup that lets you learn without it turning into a lecture.

You’ll be based at Dysart House (1842), where the distillery has operated since 2015. The focus is practical too: you’ll see the distillery in the historic building and learn how spirits like single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs get their character.

One thing to keep in mind: this is a guided group format (max 20), so there’s not much room to slow down, ask a million side questions, or request different pours on the spot.

Key points before you go

• Historic Dysart House setting: the distillery runs from the old coaching stables inside the 1842 building.
• Built around a real process: you learn about the distilling process and how it shapes spirit characteristics.
• Four included tastings: you get a set of Old Kempton spirit samples as part of the ticket.
• 100% Tasmanian ingredients angle: the spirits are made from Tasmanian inputs, which adds meaning to the tasting.
• Small-group feel: a maximum of 20 travelers keeps the tour from feeling like a cattle line.
• Solid stop on a route: it can work well as a worthwhile break if you’re traveling through Kempton toward Hobart.

Dysart House start point: what your ticket experience feels like

Your tour starts at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030, and the session begins at 1:30 pm. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you’re not jumping around town or trying to coordinate extra transport for the return.

This matters because it makes the experience easy to slot into a day. If you’re passing through Kempton, you can treat this as a focused 90-minute detour: show up, learn, taste, and then move on. The ticket is also delivered as a mobile ticket, which keeps things hassle-free when you’re already carrying the usual travel clutter.

The vibe is set by the location: Dysart House is old enough to feel like it has stories baked into the walls, and that helps the tour feel more than just a quick tasting counter stop.

The 1842 building walkthrough: what you’ll actually see

The heart of the experience takes place at Old Kempton Distillery, set within Dysart House. The distillery is run from the old coaching stables, so you’re walking through a space with a “this has been used for real work” feeling, not a modern showroom that just happens to be near a historic building.

What I like about this kind of setup is that it gives context fast. When you’re in an older structure like this, the distillery isn’t presented as an abstract idea. You’re learning while you’re physically inside the place where the spirits are made—single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs are all part of what the distillery produces.

Guides bring it to life with explanation, and one guide named John is specifically called out in customer feedback for being informative about the process for their hand-crafted whisky, gin, and other liqueurs. Another staff member referenced is Erin Cole, listed as the Cellar Door Manager. That combination hints at a place where the team knows their product and is comfortable talking through details without making you feel out of your depth.

The tour portion is about an hour at the distillery. That hour is not just “follow me.” It’s structured around how the distilling process works and how different spirits express their characteristics.

How the guide connects distilling process to flavor

The most useful part of a tasting is not just what you drink—it’s learning how to think about it. This tour is built around that idea. You learn about the process for distilling spirits and what makes those spirits different.

Even if you’re new to whisky or gin, the explanation format helps you stop judging by name alone. Instead, you start looking for cues in the glass: how a spirit comes across on the nose, what you notice first on the palate, and what the finish feels like afterward.

Here’s the practical takeaway you can carry beyond the tasting: when someone explains the process and the “why” behind characteristics, you can taste with more accuracy. You’re not just saying it’s good or not. You’re noticing patterns.

That also explains why reviews are so consistent about the tour being informative. The feedback I saw specifically praises the guide’s explanation of the process and the characteristics of the spirits—exactly the thing that makes a guided tasting feel worth the money.

Four included tastings: what you can expect to sample

The ticket includes tastings of four Old Kempton spirits. While the exact lineup isn’t spelled out in the details you provided, the distillery’s range includes single malt whisky, gin, and liqueurs, so it’s reasonable to expect your four pours to come from that family of products.

What’s nice here is that you’re not left to buy tasting flights one by one. You get a guided set, which means the staff can steer you through what to notice. That makes the tasting more educational and less random.

You’ll also get a better sense of how the distillery’s style can move between categories:

• Whisky tends to reward slow attention—how it opens, how it sits on the tongue, and how long the finish lingers.
• Gin often shifts how you interpret botanicals and spice-like notes.
• Liqueurs can feel sweeter or more rounded, and the experience changes again.

I find that this mix is a good way to learn whether you like the distillery’s approach across different spirit types. One of the review highlights calls it a great stop on the way to Hobart and specifically mentions tasting some fabulous whiskey. So if you’re even moderately curious about whisky, this is set up to deliver.

Tour logistics that matter: timing, group size, and pace

This is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, and it’s a group experience with a maximum of 20 travelers. That group size is big enough to feel social, but small enough that you’re not just part of a crowd.

The pace is guided, meaning you’re more likely to learn the distilling story than to wander around asking for unplanned extras. For most people, that’s a plus. For a few travelers, it can feel a bit scheduled. If you’re the type who loves long, independent tasting sessions with lots of time to compare glasses side by side, you may want to plan a bit of extra time after the tour (only if the distillery offers additional purchases on-site at that time).

Also, the tour runs from one main stop and returns to the starting meeting point. That simplicity is underrated. You don’t need to worry about buses or split schedules.

If you’re doing it as a pit stop, aim to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in without rushing. Distillery tours are usually easiest when you’re not sprinting between the car and the entrance.

Price and value: is $32 a fair deal?

At $32, you’re paying for a guided group tour plus four alcoholic tastings. The value comes from what’s included: admission, instruction, and a structured tasting set, not just the chance to sip.

This isn’t a budget “grab a sip and go” situation. But it also doesn’t look like an all-day tour with lots of moving parts. Instead, it’s one focused block of time in a historic setting, taught by the distillery team.

From what’s emphasized in customer feedback, the guidance is a key part of the value—people point to the tour being informative and the tasting being enjoyable. When you combine that with the fact that the spirits are made from 100% Tasmanian ingredients, you’re not only paying for flavor. You’re paying for context and process, which changes how you experience the drinks.

In plain terms: if you’re the kind of traveler who likes learning how things are made while you’re tasting them, $32 feels like a straightforward spend. If you’re only chasing alcohol and don’t care about the story, you might find it less special.

Who this Old Kempton tasting tour suits best

This tour is a great match for:

• First-timers to whisky and gin, because the tour is built to explain process and characteristics, which reduces intimidation.
• Route travelers, since Kempton is a practical stop if you’re heading toward Hobart and want a worthwhile break.
• People who enjoy small-group experiences, because the max group size helps the tour feel focused.

It’s less ideal for:

• Die-hard collectors who want a very specific bottle lineup or deep, technical masterclass level detail—your experience is built around an included tasting set and a general guided explanation, not a menu-controlled private seminar.

If you’re deciding whether to go, think about what you get excited by: the building, the process, and the tasting as a single package.

My practical booking checklist

A few small things can make the day smoother:

• Arrive a little early at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel so the tour can start on time.
• Plan your next stop after the tasting, not during it. The group experience runs at a set pace.
• Come with curiosity, not expectations. You’ll be tasting four Old Kempton spirits, and learning how they differ is part of the point.
• If you’re driving, treat this as a tasting day. Even with four samples, it’s alcohol.

Also, since the distillery is in a historic building, you might find walking surfaces and indoor movement a bit different than modern venues. If you have mobility concerns, it’s smart to ask the provider ahead of time what to expect once you book.

Should you book this Old Kempton Distillery tour?

Book it if you want a short, high-value distillery stop that mixes historic Dysart House with a guided explanation of the distilling process and an included set of four Old Kempton tastings. At $32, you’re getting more than a casual pour—you’re getting the story that helps you taste smarter.

Skip it only if you’re mainly after a long, independent tasting session or you already know exactly what you want and prefer to order without a group format.

If you’re in Tasmania and you like your travel with a little education and a lot of flavor, this is the kind of stop that fits the best. It’s simple, well-paced for a group, and it gives you something to talk about on your drive afterward.

FAQ

How long is the Old Kempton Distillery tour and guided tasting?

The experience runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.).

What does the tour cost?

The price is $32.

What’s included with the ticket?

You get a guided group tour of Dysart House and the distillery, plus tastings of four Old Kempton spirits.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Dysart House Green Ponds Hotel, 26 Main St, Kempton TAS 7030, Australia.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time listed is 1:30 pm.

Is this ticket mobile or do I need to print it?

This activity uses a mobile ticket.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

The information provided says most travelers can participate.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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