Portrait of Fiona Coutts
i. Biography
Her work is Tasmanian single malt whisky, with ultra-aged stock and bourbon-cask maturation doing much of the heavy lifting. The structure comes from long, slow distillation, fermentation science, and cask selection that is measured rather than flashy.
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Coming Up
Before distilling, Fiona Coutts worked as a medical scientist in pathology until 2021. That background carried into the still room at Hellyers Road Distillery in Tasmania, where precision and patience already mattered more than pace.
Where They Are Now
Bourbon casks set the house style, while fermentation science and controlled distillation give the whisky its frame. The method favors restraint and technical consistency over speed. Her signature work is Hellyers Road American Oak 22 Year Old Single Cask 2325.03.
In Their Words “It's going to absolutely be a growth category.” “I immediately hit it off with Andy at the time.”
FAQ
Asked of Fiona
What is Fiona Coutts's current role?
As of 2026, Fiona Coutts is Head Distiller.
What is Fiona Coutts known for?
Tasmanian single malt whisky, especially ultra-aged stock and bourbon-cask maturation at Hellyers Road.
The Sunday email
Read about winemakers like Fiona Coutts in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.