Award-winning Tasmanian distillery Sullivans Cove has unveiled Navigator, a limited-edition 16-year-old single malt whisky matured entirely in American oak. The new release launched globally on May 8, 2026, with just 1,372 bottles available worldwide via Sullivanscove.com.
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READ THE STORYThe launch follows a landmark year for the distillery, which was recently recognized among the world’s best at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards.
Bottled at 47.2% ABV, Navigator combines carefully selected refill hogsheads and first-fill ex-bourbon casks, including some of the oldest American oak casks in Sullivans Cove’s bond store.
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The whisky was inspired by Hobart’s historic waterfront and the origins of the Sullivans Cove name itself. The distillery said the release draws on the harbor’s long history as a point of arrival and exchange.
Rather than positioning the spirit solely as an after-dinner drink, the distillery created Navigator with food pairing and shared dining in mind, particularly Tasmania’s seafood and local produce.
Distillery manager Heather Tillott said the release reconnects with the heart of the brand’s whisky-making identity. "Navigator is a return to what has always mattered here — spirit that has a seat at the table: full body and heavy weight, thick texture and layered complexity," she said. "American Oak played a defining role in our early years, and this release revisits that foundation through the lens of time and maturity."
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CEO Andy Gaunt said the inspiration traces back to the distillery’s earliest vision. "Our founder once saw abalone paired with single malt whisky while traveling through Japan, and it sparked the idea of creating a Tasmanian whisky designed to sit naturally alongside great food and conversation," he said. "Navigator brings that original vision to life."
Official tasting notes from the brand describe bright lemon and orange leading into layers of vanilla cream, buttery shortbread and walnut, while the palate carries Sullivans Cove’s signature oily texture and subtle maritime salinity. The finish is long, rich and gently spiced with notes of tropical fruit and nougat.
The distillery suggests pairing Navigator with oysters, sashimi, lobster and scallops.
Sullivans Cove has built a formidable reputation since becoming the first Australian distillery to win World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in 2014. The Hobart-based operation continues to be regarded as a standard-bearer for the rapidly growing Tasmanian whisky category.
