HILLWOOD DISTILLERY

One of a growing number of distilleries in the north of the island, Hillwood takes its name from a local lightly populated residential area just off the East Tamar Highway, some 20 minutes’ drive from Launceston. It is a truly family endeavour and possibly a unique one in that the distillery was designed, built, and is now owned and operated by triplet brothers with their father, Paul Herron, pressed into service on retirement as their volunteer distiller, and their uncle, Paul’s brother, being the visiting cooper. The three adult sons play different key roles at the distillery whilst having other work commitments elsewhere. The original plan had been to name the establishment “Tamar Valley Distillery” but this ran into nomenclature issues in that that name refers to an extensive geographic area well beyond the distillery’s shadow. Not yet on the Whisky Trail, but occasional visitors are received through prior appointment.