Sydney Contemporary 2024: An Art Fair Extravaganza

Hellyers Road's dedication extends beyond whisky-making to collaborations with local artisans. The distillery works with woodworkers, leatherworkers, and visual artists, producing handcrafted display boxes, custom bars, and high-quality stills. CEO Derek Charge emphasises the community's pride in their craft, which translates into exceptional quality.

In 2024, Hellyers Road Distillery has partnered with Sydney Contemporary to showcase its whisky to a broader audience. 

Creating Bespoke Bars: A Blend of Artistry and Function

Each bar was designed by CEO Derek Charge, with support from Newcastle architect Mitch Bates of Bull and Bear and woodworker Carlo Bortolus. A special thank you goes to Derek's wife, Mandy, a local Tasmanian artist, who dedicated countless hours into making these bars and hammering in more than 5,000 bronze nails.

Locally sourced Tasmanian timbers, such as Huon Pine and Myrtle, were chosen for their rich character and enduring quality. Brass and leather accents, hand-finished by skilled local artisans, lend a timeless elegance and tactile warmth to the design.

These custom-built bars are more than functional spaces - they are works of art that embody the rugged beauty and heritage of Tasmania, providing a stunning backdrop to showcase our premium single malt whiskies. The result is a bar that not only serves as a functional piece of furniture but also as a piece of art, complementing the rich character of Hellyers Road whisky.

Sydney Contemporary 2024: An Art Fair Extravaganza

As galleries came from across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond set up their stalls at Sydney's Carriageworks for Sydney Contemporary 2024, the fair offers a rich tapestry of contemporary art. Over 400 artists showcased their work, with some of our teams highlights being Lisa Roet’s show-stopping ‘Skywalker Gibbon’ (2018), Jordy Kerwicks Tiger Heads and Braddon Snapes Sculptures. 

Sydney Contemporary 2024 was a blend of artistic excellence and compelling narratives, from the intricate details of Hellyers Road's bespoke bars to the broad spectrum of artworks displayed. This year’s event continues to celebrate the intersection of craftsmanship, artistry, and innovation.

What we served?

The Highball
We delighted guests with a refreshing and delicious highball cocktail that perfectly showcased our Double Cask whisky. This was created by our very own David Debattista, and we have to say it is delicious. The cocktail was a harmonious blend of Hellyers Road Double Cask, Tasmanian Pinot Noir, and soda built in the glass, creating a light yet complex flavour profile. Garnished with fresh grapes, it was the perfect drink to sip while exploring the artistic wonders of the event.

The Old Fashioned
A timeless classic: the Old Fashioned, crafted with Hellyers Road's Double Cask Single Malt Whisky. This sophisticated cocktail, perfectly balanced with a hint of sugar syrup, orange and plum bitters, and a twist of orange, highlighted the smooth depth and complexity of our aged single malt whisky. Served over ice, it was the ideal choice for those who appreciate bold, refined flavours with a nod to tradition.

Whisky From the Cask

This was by far the stand out from us. Driven up from Tasmania by our CEO Derek Charge, wanting to offer something unique. The likes of which had never been seen in Sydney, we brought up from the depths of our bond stores a 10 year old Oloroso Sherry Cask. With this cask we delighted customers by offering them a sample of single malt whisky drawn directly from the barrel in front of them. This rare experience allowed our customers to taste the flavour nuances that a genuine Oloroso sherry cask brings. Everyone who tried it loved it and we can't wait to release our 10 Year Old Oloroso De Jerez Whisky to market later on this month.

Whisky Cream