Tasmanian distillery Sullivans Cove sold

Sullivans Cove has been sold to a family-owned company led by Adam Sable, the former general manager of Scotch distillery Bladnoch, for an undisclosed sum.

Sullivans Cove has grown “rapidly” over the last few years

“We are excited and feel privileged to be leading such an exceptional team who have already built a brand of such acclaim,” said managing director Sable.

“We are passionately committed to maintaining the quality and integrity that is synonymous with Sullivans Cove Single Malt Whisky and Hobart No.4 Gin and building on Tasmania’s reputation a global leader in premium spirits.”

The sale ends 13 years of ownership by distiller Patrick Maguire and a circle of investors. Maguire and the entire Sullivans Cove team will remain with the business, “retain creative control”, and maintain the “method, style and character” of the whisky and gin.

“Our philosophy has always revolved around crafting the best single malt whisky and gin possible and that’s not going to change,” said Maguire.

“[But] excitingly in addition we now have the ability to ply our skills in a more creative sense and the production team could not be more enthusiastic.”

Sullivans Cove has doubled its ageing stock over the last couple of years – in 2014, the distillery started limiting exports of its French Oak expression in an attempt to meet “soaring” domestic demand.