A HERITAGE-LISTED hangar will have Launceston flying in high spirits, as the first distillery in the city's greater region for more than 175 years is launched.
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Former Boag's brewer and chief distiller at Bothwell's Nant Distillery, Chris Condon, has gone out on a wing to establish Launceston Distillery at Launceston Airport's Hangar 17.
"We've been working towards making a high-quality whisky for over four years now," Mr Condon said.
"While we have considered a number of different sites, the heritage hangar at Launceston Airport ticked every box."
He said the hangar was built by the city's Holyman family, who are considered to be aviation royalty.
The distillery is yet another to open in Tasmania on the back of a growing trend for fine spirits.
Mr Condon said distillery equipment was already installed and ready for on-site operation.
Launceston investor Peta Dolan said they expected great things from the project, which would benefit from Tasmania's solid brand.
"We could see what was happening around Tasmania and our island's competitive advantages in making world-class whisky," Ms Dolan said.
"When Condo came to us with the idea, we jumped at it."