Whisky and ghost stories in one stop. This Old Kempton experience pairs a guided walk through Dysart House and the grounds with a behind-the-scenes look at barrels in the bond store, plus storytelling that leans into the spooky side of the property. I especially like the guided tasting of four Old Kempton spirits, and I also like that your ticket includes a Tasmanian antipasto platter usually valued at $80.

One thing to think about: this is a short, focused 2-hour outing at Kempton, and transportation isn’t included, so you’ll want a solid plan to get there and back.

Key things I’d watch for on this tour

• Dysart House + grounds time: You’re not just chasing whisky; you’re also seeing the property that hosts the distillery.
• Bond store barrels on display: You’ll see maturing whisky in lots of different barrel shapes and sizes.
• Ghost-story style house history: The guide keeps the atmosphere lively, so don’t tune out during the storytelling.
• Cask Lounge tasting format: You end the tour seated in the Old Kempton cellar door’s Cask Lounge.
• Four guided pours: You’ll taste four Old Kempton spirits, with whisky at the center.
• Antipasto included: Lunch for one comes as part of the experience, not an extra add-on.

Where Dysart House sets the mood before you ever taste whisky

Kempton’s Old Kempton Distillery sits inside the Dysart House complex, and the first surprise is how much time you spend in the setting—not just in the tasting room. You start at Old Kempton Distillery and get to “make yourself at home” in the house and grounds, so you ease into the visit instead of rushing straight to the glass.

I like that the tour treats the place as a whole. Dysart House has been home to the fully functioning Old Kempton distillery since November 2015, and you’ll hear how the site evolved into a working distillery space. You also learn that Old Kempton isn’t only whisky: they make gin and liqueurs and other specials, which matters because it hints at why the tasting can include more than one spirit style.

There’s also a stronger atmosphere here than at many distilleries. House history includes ghost stories, and the guide points your attention to details around the property so you can catch the mood as you go. It’s not just trivia; it helps you understand why people talk about this place in a more theatrical way than usual.

The 45-minute distillery tour: what you actually see behind the scenes

The heart of the tour moves through Old Kempton’s working areas with a guided distillery visit that runs about 45 minutes. This is where you start to connect the dots between the building, the production, and the maturing whisky you’ll later taste.

Expect to walk through the sort of parts of a distillery most visitors never get to see. You’ll tour the bond store and grounds, and you’ll spot barrels in all kinds of shapes and sizes. That visual detail is more than window dressing. It’s a quick, real reminder that whisky aging isn’t one-size-fits-all, and different barrel formats can lead to different character in the final pour.

Because the tour is guided, you’re not left decoding everything on your own. The guide helps connect what you’re looking at to the spirits you’ll sample later. If you’re the type who likes to understand the why, this portion gives you enough context to make the tasting more meaningful, not just a set of sips.

One practical consideration: the format is tight and scheduled. So if you’re hoping for a long, slow wander with lots of photo time, this may feel more structured than you’d like. On the flip side, structure is part of why the experience stays efficient and good value.

Bond store time and the shapes-and-sizes lesson for whisky lovers

The bond store stop is a highlight for a reason: it’s where you can see maturing whisky in a way that feels tangible. You’ll look at barrels that vary in form and size, which helps you picture the range of aging conditions and the different ways barrels influence flavor over time.

I like that this doesn’t turn into a lecture. You’re physically looking at the barrels first, then learning what that means for the spirit. If you’re a whisky person, you’ll likely enjoy this as a quick sensory education. If you’re new to whisky, it’s still helpful because it explains why two whiskies can taste different even when they come from the same distillery.

And yes, the atmosphere stays part of the experience. With the property’s history and ghost-story style mentions, the bond store doesn’t feel like a sterile warehouse. It feels like a living chapter in the Dysart House story, which keeps your attention where it should be.

The Cask Lounge tasting: four spirits, guided and seated

After the distillery and bond store portion, you shift into the Cask Lounge. This lounge is in the grand coaching inn area that acts as the Old Kempton cellar door, so the switch from production spaces to a seated tasting feels natural. It’s a nice pacing choice: you go from seeing barrels to slowing down and tasting.

The tasting itself is guided and lasts about 45 minutes. You’ll sample four Old Kempton spirits, and the exact selection can be chosen from whisky, gin, and liqueurs. In practice, whisky is the core focus, but the option to include gin and liqueurs keeps the tasting from feeling one-note.

Here’s what makes this format work for you. Four pours is enough to compare styles without turning it into a long drinking session. Plus, because it’s guided, you get help tasting instead of just getting a flight and hoping you know what you’re doing.

A small detail that matters: the setting is built for tasting. Being seated in a proper lounge helps you concentrate on aroma and flavor rather than squeezing around in a busy shop. If you like having a clean, comfortable moment during your tour, this is that moment.

One thing I’d call out from the way people describe the tour experience: the guide approach can really shape the vibe. Some sessions are run by guides like John, and the feedback I’ve seen highlights how entertaining and smooth the tour can be when the guide keeps things friendly and upbeat.

Lunch with your tasting: Tasmanian antipasto platter for one

Your ticket also includes lunch: a Tasmanian antipasto platter for one. It’s served as part of the tour and comes after the tasting portion, with about one hour set aside for lunch.

Food is one of those “quiet value” items on tours, and this one is unusually strong because the platter is described as normally valued at $80. Even if you treat that number as a reference point rather than a promise, it still signals that lunch is more than a token snack. You’re getting something substantial enough to make the $56 price feel less like a distillery fee and more like an overall day-friendly experience.

The platter also fits the setting. You’ve just spent time around spirits, and lunch gives you a reset. It’s a good buffer if you want to keep your tasting fresh rather than rolling straight into more drinking or another stop right afterward.

Price and value: $56 for a full package, not just a sample

At $56 per person for about 2 hours, this tour stacks several components that usually cost extra at other places: a guided distillery walk, a guided tasting of multiple spirits, and a sit-down lunch platter.

If you’re comparing value, focus on what’s bundled:

• A guided tour through Dysart House and distillery areas
• A guided tasting of four spirits
• A Tasmanian antipasto platter for one

Add in the fact that the lunch is normally listed at a high standalone value, and you can see why people describe the experience as good value for money. The pricing also makes sense for a short, scheduled format: you’re buying a tight itinerary with guide time and a curated tasting, not just access to a building.

Also remember what’s not included: transportation. That’s the main hidden cost to factor in. If you’re driving yourself or have an easy ride from your base, the $56 feels like a fair deal. If you’re relying on complicated local transport, the overall value can swing.

Tour timing and what to plan around

This experience runs for about 2 hours, so it works best as a focused outing rather than a whole day plan. You start at Old Kempton Distillery, then spend roughly:

• 45 minutes on the guided distillery tour
• 45 minutes on the tasting
• 1 hour on lunch

Because the timing is built around those blocks, I’d plan to arrive early. You’re asked to arrive 15 minutes early and show your ticket to a Cellar Door team member. Arriving on time helps you start comfortably and keeps the pacing smooth.

You’ll also want closed-toe shoes. It’s not about looking fancy. It’s about being comfortable as you move around the property and distillery spaces.

Group vibe: small enough to feel personal, big enough for fun

One of the best ways to judge a tour is to think about its energy. This one can run with groups around a dozen people (a group of 12 is mentioned in feedback), which is a sweet spot. It’s large enough to have lively conversation, but still small enough for the guide to keep the tasting and explanations moving.

In a setup like this, you’ll likely get a more personal feel for the tasting, especially if the guide asks questions or helps you compare notes across the four pours. If you’re traveling with a friend group, this is also a format that makes it easy to share impressions without shouting over a crowd.

What to know about spirit selection (whisky, gin, and liqueurs)

The tasting is guided and includes four spirits, with options across whisky, gin, and liqueurs. If you’re a die-hard whisky fan, aim for a tasting that keeps most of your pours whisky-led so you get the best focus on Old Kempton’s single malt style.

If you’re more curious than committed, the ability to include gin and liqueurs can broaden what you learn in a single sitting. It also makes the tasting more approachable if whisky is new to you. Either way, the tour format keeps the tasting structured, so you don’t have to figure out pairing and interpretation on your own.

Who should book this tour, and who might pass

This is a great pick if you want an experience that’s part distillery visit, part tasting class, and part meal—without eating up your whole day. I’d especially recommend it if you like:

• Spirits that come with context, not just samples
• Property-based storytelling (Dysart House with its house history and ghost-story style moments)
• A guided tasting format where you can learn while you sip

It may not be the best fit if:

• You’re looking for a super long, independent wander through the property
• You want transportation included, because this tour requires you to get to Kempton yourself
• You’re traveling with kids, since it’s not suitable for children under 18

Should you book the Kempton: Craft Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting & Lunch?

I’d book it if you’re aiming for a short, satisfying Kempton stop that mixes Dysart House charm, a behind-the-scenes distillery look, and a guided tasting that ends with lunch. The included Tasmanian antipasto platter is the kind of extra that can make the $56 feel like more than a tasting ticket.

I’d think twice only if transportation is hard for you or if you’re trying to stretch a single afternoon into multiple distant stops. With a good plan to get there, this tour is exactly the kind of practical, story-driven experience that makes whisky travel feel personal rather than touristy.

FAQ

How long is the Kempton distillery tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

What’s included in the ticket?

You get a tour of Old Kempton Distillery and Dysart House, a guided tasting of four Old Kempton spirits, and a Tasmanian antipasto platter for one.

Does the tour include transportation?

No. Transportation is not included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18.

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license and wear closed-toe shoes.

What’s the best cancellation window to get a full refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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