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Everything you need to know about Great Southern Distilling Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Limeburners Port Barrel No.M533 Single Cask Australian Whisky£149.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Great Southern Distilling Company, Australia. Founded in 2004.
Great Southern Distilling Company isn’t based in Scotland, and that’s exactly why it’s interesting. Founded in 2004 by Cameron Syme in Albany, Western Australia, it became the first legal single malt whisky distillery in the state. At the time, Australian whisky wasn’t widely taken seriously outside its home market. That changed quickly.
Their flagship label, Limeburners, helped put Australian single malt on the international stage. And the style? It reflects its environment. Western Australia’s coastal climate is warmer than Scotland, which means maturation moves a little faster and oak influence shows earlier. The result is often bold for its age, with rich sweetness and spice.
What I like about this distillery is that it doesn’t try to copy Scotland. It borrows the craft, yes, but the character is distinctly Australian. Barley from local farms, limestone-filtered water, and careful small-batch production shape the spirit.
If you’re used to Speyside fruit or Highland honeyed malts, this feels familiar but slightly sun-warmed. Different rhythm. Same discipline.
Taste Profile
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 |
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Fruity |
Sweet | Oaky / Woody |
Great Southern’s Limeburners single malts are typically rich and expressive. You’ll often notice honey and vanilla early on, followed by ripe fruit and warming oak spice. The warmer climate encourages active cask interaction, so the wood character can feel more pronounced than similarly aged Scotch.
Some editions introduce light peat smoke, though never heavily medicinal. Others lean into sherry cask richness, bringing dried fruit and deeper sweetness.
The texture is usually full and rounded. These are whiskies that feel confident rather than delicate.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Citrus (Lemon / Orange Zest) |
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Vanilla |
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Honey |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
Most Popular Bottles
Limeburners American Oak
The core style. Vanilla, honey, soft spice, and orchard fruit. Clean but with warmth.
Limeburners Sherry Cask
Richer and darker. Dried fruit, baking spice, and a deeper oak presence.
Limeburners Peated
Adds gentle smoke over the sweet, fruity base spirit.
Tiger Snake Sour Mash
Not a single malt, but worth mentioning. A bourbon-style Australian whiskey with bold spice and sweetness.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Limeburners Whisky at the Great Southern Distilling Company
Address: 252 Frenchman Bay Road, Robinson, WA 6330, Australia
 Open in maps |
 www.distillery.com.au |
 +61 8 9842 5363 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes, the Albany site operates a full tasting room and visitor experience.
Typical opening hours
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Daily
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Around 10:00 – 17:00
(Hours may vary seasonally)
Visitors can take guided tastings, learn about production, and sample across the range.
Ownership History
Current Owner
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Great Southern Distilling Company Ltd (founded and led by Cameron Syme)
The company has remained under its founding leadership since 2004 rather than passing between major global drinks groups, which gives it a clear, consistent identity.
Distillery Facts
Overview & History
Limeburners is the flagship whisky brand produced by Great Southern Distilling Company in Albany, Western Australia.
The distillery was founded in 2004 by Cameron Syme and became one of the early pioneers of modern Australian single malt whisky production.
The name “Limeburners” references the historical lime-burning industry that once operated along the southern coast of Western Australia.
The distillery helped establish Australian whisky as a serious international category during the 2000s and 2010s.
Production
- Spirit Type: Australian single malt whisky
- Location: Albany, Western Australia
- Stills: Small copper pot stills
- Climate Influence: Maritime coastal maturation
- Cask Policy: Bourbon, sherry, port, and wine cask maturation
The warmer Australian climate accelerates maturation compared with Scotland.
Whisky Style
Limeburners whisky typically shows:
- Rich malt sweetness
- Dried fruit and caramel
- Spice and toasted oak
- Coastal influence
- Full-bodied texture
Wine cask maturation often contributes pronounced fruit richness.
Key Expressions
- Limeburners Single Malt – Core range
- Limeburners Port Cask
- Limeburners Sherry Cask
- Peated and cask-strength editions
The port and sherry cask releases became especially well known.
Significance
Limeburners is considered one of the foundational brands in the modern Australian whisky movement.
Its international awards and early export success helped raise the global profile of Australian single malt whisky.
Limeburners Whisky to Buy
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