Maltstock Down Under

Maltstock Down Under

Central Highlands of Tasmania

21 to 23 May 2027

Maltstock Down Under is a not-for-profit, community-led whisky festival set in the Tasmanian Highlands. Inspired by the cult-favourite Dutch festival Maltstock (which has been running for the past 17 years), this is a fully immersive long weekend designed for people who love whisky not just as a drink, but as a shared experience. This is a strictly an 18+ years old event.

Activities include scheduled visits to local distilleries, 'Drinks With..' fireside chat whisky presentations by distillers & brand representatives, a blind whisky tasting competition, Battle of the Brands, BBQ, and Midnight Feast. Over 80 whiskies to sample, plus the unique Maltstock 'Gathering', where attendees bring their own whiskies to share with fellow whisky lovers.

Held in the Central Highlands around Bothwell, Tasmania, Maltstock Down Under brings together whisky lovers from around the world for three unforgettable days of tasting, learning, friendship and fun — all in one of Australia’s most beautiful rural settings.

Our Participating Brands:

Partners for the 2027 event include Belgrove Distillery, Black Emerald Irish Whiskey, Callington Mill, Clyde Mill Distillery, Hunter Island Distillery, Killara Distillery, Lark Distillery, Lawrenny Distillery, Overeem Distillery, Remnant Whisky Co., Spring Bay Distillery, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), The Whisky Club, Transportation Whisky and Waubs Harbour Distillery.

More exciting brands will be announced soon!

It’s the perfect excuse to explore one of the most exciting whisky regions in the world.

Maltstock is the ultimate relaxed whisky weekend. You arrive, unpack, and settle in for a few days where whisky, good food and great people take centre stage. Everyone stays together for the full weekend, and everything is included, so there’s nothing to organise and nowhere to rush off to. 

All-inclusive Maltstock style means your ticket covers food, drinks, accommodation, whisky events, informal “drinks with…” sessions, live entertainment and all the little moments in between. Think shared tables, late nights, unexpected drams and conversations that drift well past midnight.

The festival is small, not-for-profit and entirely volunteer-driven. It is created by whisky lovers for whisky lovers. The Maltstock crowd comes from everywhere and all walks of life, but they share one important thing in common: they’re wonderfully relaxed, and extremely generous. An amazing range of premium open bottles for sharing, easy laughs and a welcoming atmosphere are all part of the experience.

Across three days, guests will enjoy:

• Hundreds of whiskies to taste and share

• International guest speakers hosting exclusive masterclasses

• Guided tours of some of Tasmania’s leading whisky distilleries

• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, live music and welcome drams

• A whisky bonfire, whisky walk, and plenty of time to explore

• Exclusive whisky merchandise, giveaways and prizes

• A number of special surprises to be announced closer to the event

At the heart of Maltstock is The Gathering. A bring-a-bottle tradition. Every guest is encouraged to bring one or two bottles of whisky to share with the group. Your name will be added to a bottle tag, and once a bottle is finished, it earns its place in our celebratory Bottle Graveyard — a shared farewell to favourite drams enjoyed together. It’s a simple idea that creates generosity, discovery and a constantly evolving tasting experience across the weekend.

The inclusive ticket means everything is taken care of.

We’ll collect you from Hobart Wharf, transport you to the Central Highlands, and return you at the end of the weekend. Your ticket includes all accommodation, all meals, all transport, all experiences and all tastings.

Dates & Times: 

• Start on Friday at 3.00pm

• End on Sunday at 11.00pm

Your Ticket Includes — Important Details

• Transport from Hobart Wharf on Friday 21 May, and return on 23 May

• Accommodation (or you can arrange your own)

• A regular courtesy shuttle bus between Ratho Farm & Bothwell throughout the weekend

• Friday & Saturday dinners

• Saturday & Sunday breakfasts

• Saturday lunch

• Friday Midnight Feast

• Maltstock showbag and survival kit

• All whisky tastings, activities, distillery visits and presentations (space permitting)

• Ongoing supply of water & fruit, and a coffee & tea station

• Please notify us of dietary requirements

Costs: 

• There are several ticket options, depending on the type of accommodation:

  • Couples (one queen/king bed) or sharing (single beds) at Ratho Farm cabins

  • Single inflatable beds (males only) in the Ratho Farm barn, set up as a dormitory

  • Event-only, where you arrange your own accommodation in Bothwell AirBnBs

  • Event-only, where you bring your own campervan or tent on-site

• The number of rooms in each category are limited. Your first choice option may not be available

• Ratho Farm cabins each have their own en-suite bathroom

• Port-a-loos and portable showers are available for the Barn dormitory and on-site campers

What will cost extra: 

• Soft drinks, beers, wine & snacks

• Optional Saturday luncheon at Clyde Mill

• Travel to Tasmania - you'll need to make your own way down to the Apple Isle

Maltstock Down Under is not a trade show or a traditional whisky festival. There are no stands, no sales pitches and no brand-led agendas. As a not-for-profit event, the focus is firmly on education, community and shared enjoyment rather than commercial outcomes.

Attendance is strictly limited to just 120 guests in 2027, ensuring an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where conversations flow as easily as the whisky, friendships are formed, and memories are made.

If you value authenticity, generosity and unforgettable whisky moments, Maltstock Down Under will be the whisky event of the year.

Maltstock Down Under is supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.

(www.discovertasmania.com)

Sponsorship Opportunities:

As a not-for-profit event, Maltstock Down Under would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities designed to align your brand with a highly engaged, passionate community of whisky lovers.

If you’re interested in supporting the event and connecting with our audience in a meaningful, authentic way, please contact our event organiser to discuss how we can work together.

Maltstock Down Under Limited

ABN: 23 693 613 437