Pick your own distillery mix in Tasmania. This Cambridge Hobart Wine & Spirits Tour lets you choose 3 of 4 stops for gin, whisky, rum and more, with small-batch makers often led by the people behind the brand. It’s a fun way to taste widely without wasting the day in a bus full of empty conversations, and guide Ingrid keeps things friendly and safety-first.

I like the practical setup: hotel/port-area pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, a maximum of 7 travelers, and tastings built into the schedule so you’re not guessing what you’ll actually get for your money. One thing to think about: you can pick your distilleries, but the company tries to match preferences and can’t guarantee your exact lineup if events outside their control change access—so book early if there are must-do producers.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Choose 3 distilleries from 4 for a more varied tasting day than the usual single-spirit tours
• Small group (max 7) means more time to ask questions and actually talk to the makers
• Ingrid’s hosting style is hands-on, warm, and focused on safety and smooth pacing
• Stop-by-stop access includes admission at most venues, with a free-admission stop mixed in
• Optional lunch with two styles: pub-style comfort or a winery restaurant with views

Picking your distilleries: how the 3-of-4 choice works

The big deal here is control. Instead of being locked into one theme, you choose 3 distilleries out of 4 before the day rolls. That’s how you can build a tasting day that fits your taste: maybe you want gin plus whisky, or rum plus brandy and a hit of wine.

You’ll still visit all the core parts of the route, but the selection lets you steer the spirit balance. The tour provider says they’ll do their best to match your choices, yet sometimes outside events can affect what’s possible. Translation: if there’s a distillery you’re set on—Spring Bay, Drifters End, Blackmans Bay in its Cambridge location, or Charles Reuben—plan ahead. Early booking is your best insurance for getting your exact mix.

Also, remember you’re not just shopping for bottles. The value comes from meeting the people behind the product. The stops are set up for real conversation, and several are associated with owner-led or maker-led visits, which makes your tasting more than a sample-and-run.

From One Franklin Wharf to Hobart distilleries: timing and logistics

This is a day trip built around comfort and low stress. You start at One Franklin Wharf (9:30am) and return there at the end, so you’re not juggling trains, parking, or rideshare after you’ve had a few samples.

The drive is short enough to feel like a proper outing, not a whole day spent in transit. You head out to the first stop from Hobart in about 20 minutes, and after the last stop it’s about 30 minutes back. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in Tasmania when you don’t know what the day will do.

Group size is kept tight—up to 7 travelers. That’s the difference between feeling like you’re part of a small crew versus being a number in a lineup. Ingrid also handles the flow: she’s attentive without being bossy about timetables, and she takes guest safety seriously, which is reassuring when you’re tasting alcohol.

Practical tip: even if lunch is optional, plan to pace yourself. Tastings are spaced across several stops, so have water between pours and eat something earlier in the day if you can.

Spring Bay Distillery (Cambridge): whisky, gin, and vodka stop

Your first stop is Spring Bay Distillery in Cambridge, a place where traditional distilling meets the clean feel of Tasmania. This stop has options that can include award-winning single malt whisky, plus gin and vodka depending on how you selected your tasting mix.

Why this matters: whisky is a slow spirit. You tend to notice the texture more than the alcohol bite—especially when the tasting is guided rather than dumped on you like a chemistry demo. Gin and vodka add speed and contrast, so your palate gets a structured warm-up before you move on.

This is also where small-group access pays off. When you’re not fighting for space, you can ask the practical questions: what you should be noticing in the aromas, what differentiates their gin style, or how they think about flavour balance in whisky.

Expect around an hour here. That’s enough time to taste, learn, and still feel like you’re not rushing the makers.

Drifters End Distilling Company: boutique gins and a whisky moment

Next you’ll visit Drifters End Distilling Company, a boutique operation founded by sisters Sam and Chris Jones. The tasting options here lean toward gin and may include whisky, depending on your chosen lineup.

What I like about this stop is the feel of a proper craft story. A sister-founded distillery often means you hear more personal reasons behind the choices—why certain botanicals or production decisions were made—rather than only the marketing version.

You get about an hour, which is a sweet spot. You’re not trapped at one location for half the day, and you’re not forced to sprint through pours. Ingrid keeps the group moving at a pace that lets you actually taste and compare.

If you’re the kind of person who likes gin but gets bored with “just another gin,” this stop is a good chance to notice real differences.

Blackmans Bay Distillery in Cambridge: rum and gin with a free admission twist

A short hop later brings you to unit 1/8 Cessna Wy, with Blackmans Bay Distillery now located in Cambridge. This is the stop where the entry is noted as free, and the tasting options focus on award-winning rum and gin.

A “free admission” detail doesn’t sound exciting on paper, but it often signals the tour’s thoughtful mix of what’s included. You still get the tasting experience and time with the producers—you’re just not paying an extra access fee within the stop itself.

Rum and gin are a smart pairing because they show two different kinds of complexity:

• Rum tends to reward attention to sweetness, spice, and fermentation character.
• Gin is about aroma first—botanicals, balance, and a crisp finish.

You’ll have about an hour at this stop. That works well if you want one more hit of flavour contrast before moving into the more wine-and-brandy world of the final producer.

Charles Reuben Estate: brandies plus wine flavours

The longest of the distilling stops is Charles Reuben Estate, with about 1.5 hours here. This is where your day can shift toward brandies, gin, and wine. The estate has been producing since 1989, and it’s known for award-winning wines too—so you’re not stuck in a single corner of the spirits world.

This is a good stop for two types of people:

1) If you like spirits but also enjoy wine, this is your crossover moment.

2) If you’re planning to buy bottles later, this is often where you can compare how the estate’s style shows up across products.

The fact they produce Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Chardonnay (along with brandy and gin) means there’s a wider palate of flavours to talk about. You can taste like a critic for a while, then still have time to keep the day fun.

Lunch options: Richmond Arms Hotel vs Frogmore Creek views

Lunch is optional and not included in the tour price. You pick between two styles and pay separately.

Option one is Richmond Arms Hotel, with hearty meals typically priced $20–$50 per person. If you want something straightforward—comfort food energy—this is the easier choice. It’s also a good way to reset your palate after a few tastings.

Option two is Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant, a winery restaurant where you can expect share plates and views to the vines. Pricing is around $75 per person. This is the pick if you want the sit-down, scenic lunch experience to feel like a highlight, not just a fuel stop.

The lunch block is about one hour, so either option fits the overall pacing. My practical advice: don’t wait until you’re starving. If you choose the pub-style option, eat enough to stay comfortable. If you choose the winery restaurant, plan to pace your drinks with the food.

Tastings that feel guided, not rushed

This tour includes tastings of alcoholic beverages—specifically 3 tastings of your choice of spirits. That’s where the day gets to be more than a scenic drive with samples.

What helps most is how the tastings are spread out. You’re not stuck at one counter trying to remember what each glass tasted like. You get a stop, a focused time window, and then time to reset before the next place.

Also, you’re tasting small-batch products. That typically means flavours show up with more character and less “industrial uniformity.” The upside is you can actually learn how a producer builds flavour. The downside is if you taste too quickly, you’ll miss the differences. So slow down for the first few tastings, then find your rhythm.

And yes—this is also the kind of tour where having a driver matters. You’re free to taste without doing the mental math of breath tests and parking anxiety.

Price and value: what $279.01 actually covers

At $279.01 per person, you’re paying for a lot of the stuff that costs money when you do it yourself: pickup/drop-off in Hobart, an air-conditioned vehicle, admission tickets at most stops, a goodies bag, and the key value: 3 guided spirit tastings.

You’re also paying for time. A full day with multiple distilleries is hard to organize. Driving yourself also adds friction: finding the right times, booking admission, and managing your own transportation between venues. Here, the route is set and the day is timed.

Lunch is where the price splits. You choose your lunch option and pay separately, so the final out-of-pocket cost depends on whether you choose the $20–50 range meal or the around $75 winery restaurant.

If you’re comparing this to a single-distillery tour, the best value angle is choice. You’re getting variety across gin, whisky, rum, brandy, and potentially wine, instead of paying for one narrow slice of the spirits scene.

Who this suits best (and who should think twice)

This works best for people who:

• Want a varied tasting day without picking just one spirit category
• Like learning from the people who make the product
• Prefer small groups and an organized schedule
• Don’t want to worry about driving after tastings

It may be less ideal if:

• You’re rigid about exact distillery access on your chosen date. The tour says they try to match your selection, but it can change due to outside events.
• You don’t drink much alcohol. The tastings are central to the experience, and they’re priced in.

If you’re a planner, you’ll like it. If you like improvising at the last minute, you might feel the pressure to lock in your 3 picks early.

Should you book the Cambridge Hobart Wine & Spirits Tour?

Yes, if you want a well-run, small-group day that mixes distilleries and keeps you tasting thoughtfully instead of just collecting bottles. The combination of customisable distillery picks, Ingrid’s hosting, and a setup that handles transport and pacing makes it a good value for a full-day Hobart-area experience.

Book especially early if you have strong preferences—because while they try to accommodate your choices, access can change when the real world gets in the way. And pick your lunch style based on what you want more: easy hearty food or a scenic winery meal with views.

FAQ

What time does the Cambridge Hobart Wine & Spirits Tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30am.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 6 hours 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point in Hobart?

You meet at One Franklin Wharf, 1 Franklin Wharf, Hobart TAS 7000.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off services to Hobart are included.

How does choosing 3 distilleries out of 4 work?

You can choose 3 out of 4 selected distilleries. The provider tries to accommodate your selection, but access can be limited by events outside their control, so booking well ahead helps.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. You can choose an optional lunch from two locations, and you purchase it separately.

What lunch options are available?

Option 1 is Richmond Arms Hotel with meals typically $20–$50 per person. Option 2 is Frogmore Creek Cellar Door & Restaurant, with share plates and views, around $75 per person.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. After that window, the amount paid is not refunded.