Australian Whisky is whisky produced in Australia. As of December 2021, there were 333 registered distilleries in operation within Australia, of which approximately 50 have a whisky on the market.[1] The industry has shown steady growth since the early 90s especially in the boutique craft distilling scene.[2]
Most Australian whisky is produced using a very similar process to that of Scotch whisky; however the flavour of Australian whisky is subtly different.[3] Although the majority of whisky produced in Australia is in the single malt style, there is more variation than what is found overseas, with no strict customs or traditions governing the styles produced. Other styles of whisky produced in Australia, include rye, wheat and blended whiskies.[2]
Australian whisky was popularised globally in 2014, when Sullivan's Cove French Oak single cask won the world's best single malt whisky at the World Whiskies Awards.[4][5] This was the first time a distillery outside of Scotland or Japan had won this category.[6]