A HOBART distillery that has helped ``put Tasmania on the map as a world-class whisky producer'' has been named 2014 Telstra Tasmanian Business of the Year.
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Lark Distillery was presented with the award at Hobart's Hotel Grand Chancellor last night.
It was one of four businesses to receive awards, with Stornoway being the only Launceston-based award winner.
Premier Will Hodgman presented Lark Distillery with the award, saying it had put Tasmania on the map as a world-class whisky producer with its high quality, high value product.
The distillery also took out the small business award.
``With a workforce of 18 they are another example of Tasmanian businesses punching above their weight,'' Mr Hodgman said.
Distillery founder Bill Lark said the business's success stemmed from starting small and thinking big.
The distillery was established in 1992 and was one of the first companies to export Australian malt whisky to the US.
Launceston family-owned quarrying business Stornoway won the medium business award and the regional award.
In the past five years, the business has tripled its revenue and staff numbers have increased from 45 to 110.
The Micro Business Award was won by Richmond-based creative agency Handbuilt Creative and the start-up award was won by Your Path to Health, a rehabilitation and fitness business owned by Jessica Webb, of Rosny Park.
Award winners will progress to the Telstra Australian Business Awards, which will be announced in Melbourne on August 7.
Nominations for the 2015 Telstra Australian Business Awards are already open at telstrabusinessawards.com