LARK Distilling celebrates five Gold medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

LARK Distilling Co. has continued its impressive run on the international stage, taking home five Gold Medals at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The awards recognise whiskies across LARK's recently launched Signature Collection, its Global Travel Retail-exclusive Atlas Series, and an upcoming Cask Strength release, further reinforcing Tasmania's growing reputation as one of the world's leading whisky-producing regions.

Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is regarded as one of the industry's most respected judging events. Conducted through a strict blind tasting process, the competition attracts thousands of entries from around the world, with judging undertaken by an international panel of distillers, bartenders, beverage directors, buyers and drinks journalists.

LARK's 2026 Gold Medal winners

• No.151 Fire Trail – Available now through Australian retail and bars, as well as across Asia. RRP $170.

• No.183 Devil's Storm – Available now through Australian retail and bars, as well as across Asia. RRP $200.

• No.172 Wild Haven (Atlas Series) – Available exclusively through Australian airport duty free, with Singapore's Changi Airport to follow. RRP $280.

• No.294 Ember Eclipse (Atlas Series) – Available exclusively through Australian airport duty free, with Singapore's Changi Airport to follow. RRP $680.

• No.187 Devil's Storm Cask Strength – Launching in August 2026, available exclusively via LARK's website and its Hobart venues. RRP $240.

LARK Master Distiller Chris Thomson said the recognition reflected the work of the entire distilling team. "Five Gold Medals at San Francisco is a fantastic result for the whole team. The SFWSC is one of the toughest blind judging competitions in the world, so to have whiskies across our Signature Collection and Global Travel Retail range recognised at this level is incredibly exciting. It's a reflection of just how far Tasmanian whisky has come, and for us, we feel like we're only just getting started."

The latest success builds on an exceptional 18 months for the distillery. In 2025, LARK secured three Double Gold and two Gold medals at the same competition, while Thomson was named Master Distiller/Blender of the Year at the World Whiskies Awards. Earlier this year, the distillery's new Signature Collection was also recognised with World's Best Design and Best Range Design at the World Whiskies Awards.

Founded in 1992 by pioneering husband-and-wife team Bill Lark and Lyn Lark, LARK is widely credited with helping revive Tasmania's whisky industry after overturning a 150-year prohibition on distilling. Today, the Pontville-based producer is recognised as Australia's leading luxury single malt whisky brand, with a portfolio celebrated for its rich cask influence, distinctive Tasmanian character and ongoing innovation in whisky making.