THE DROP BEAR DIARIES - CHAPTER 7 "WATER WHEELS AND WHISKY"

Come on ladies, there's serious tasting to be done!

Nestled in sweeping, beautiful scenery, the farming township of Bothwell lies about an hour north west of Hobart in Tasmania’s central highlands. 

The day was bright with gusty winds that made the grasslands positively dance in the sunlight. 

Nant Distillery, an artisan producer of single malt whisky, occupies an old flour mill and lies in the most picturesque of settings.

A spot of lunch first

The former 1800s mill and water wheel sit on the Clyde River surrounded by attractive old buildings.  

Bothwell has about fifty buildings that are classified or registered by the National Trust and taking in the view along the riverside it almost felt as though we had gone back in time. George Elliot’s “Mill on the Floss” came to mind.

A little something for your tasting pleasure

The Distillery’s tasting room and restaurant located in a modern building adjoining the Mill awaited. After lunch Roger and Doug retreated to the tasting counter, taking on the stance of highly experienced whisky connoisseurs. 

AKA the real McCoy

They certainly looked the part. 

Watching the proceedings it soon became apparent our devotees had hit the mother lode of whiskys. 

Good thing Julie's driving

This fine tasting elixir had been aged in old bourbon and wine oak barrels and the boys had a veritable twinkle in the eye when the tasting menu had been appropriately assaulted.

Needless to say they did not leave empty handed. 

The Nant Distillery - is this place real?

Despite our enquiries Nant Distillery's supply of Glen Drop Bear, which of course is matured in old Eucalyptus tree barrels, had been depleted and was not likely to be renewed - contractual issues we supposed.