TAKE THE HIGHWAY

ONE MAN, ONE DOG & A BLOODY GOOD WHISKY

There’s a different kind of distilling happening in Byron Bay. Less about scale, more about intent. At its heart is Highwayman Whisky, a deeply personal operation built on instinct, flavour, and a refusal to compromise.

Dan Woolley’s path to whisky began early, learning to nose and taste with his father, a district court judge who loved his dram. Beer never appealed. Gin even less so. Flavour was the only compass — and it led him to a two-decade career with some of the world’s most respected whisky houses: Diageo, William Grant & Sons and Suntory. Crisscrossing distilleries in Scotland, Kentucky, Japan and beyond, he earned a nickname that would one day become a brand: the Highwayman.

Hailing from Sydney’s Bondi, Dan moved to Byron Bay in 2012 to be a hands-on father to his young son. In 2020, with his reputation and savings on the line, he launched Highwayman Whisky. Timing proved everything, his first 10 batches selling out in record time.

A one-man, one-dog operation, the philosophy is simple. “The name had to have meaning,” Dan says. “I am the product.” That product is unfiltered, undiluted, bottled at cask strength — around 55% ABV. No caramel colouring, no chill filtration, no shortcuts. Just whisky, straight from the barrel. In a world where transparency has become a selling point, at Highwayman it’s simply the way things are done.

Where large-scale brands chase consistency, Highwayman celebrates variation. Dan fills barrels every five weeks and releases a new batch monthly — around 4,500 bottles a year, drawn from more than 37 different wood types. Each release is intentionally different, shaped by maturation, instinct and timing, designed to take the drinker on a journey.

A great entry point into the range is Treacherous Radicals, a 50/50 blend of Scotch whisky and Highwayman Whisky, built from 11 barrels and designed for versatility. The broader lineup is equally distinctive, with names and labels that wouldn’t look out of place on a heavy metal album cover: Phoenix Reborn, Wake the Dead, Till Death, Tokyo Nights. Then there’s ACDW — a newer release featuring Louis, Dan’s blue heeler and unofficial CEO, front and centre — aged in Tawny and Apera casks and every bit as bold as the label artwork suggests. Many collectors buy two: one to keep, one to drink.

Beyond the bottle, Dan’s offering is as personal as the whisky itself. Private tastings and masterclasses provide a rare opportunity to sit down with the distiller, taste through the range, and understand exactly what’s in your glass — guided by the person who made it. Twice a year, the doors open wider for his signature whisky feasts, where small groups gather for barrel tastings, food pairings and a deeper dive into the craft. It’s immersive, generous and distinctly Highwayman.

One man, one dog, and a bloody good whisky. Simple as that.

COME AND EXPERIENCE IT

Private Tastings & Masterclasses

By appointment only. An intimate, behind-the-scenes session with Dan — taste whisky at the source and learn the process from barley to bottle.

Winter Whisky Feast

A cult event, now in its fifth year. Four intimate sessions, barrel tastings, whisky drawn straight from cask, and a seasonal menu to match. Saturday 4 July.

Summer Whisky Mash Up

A lighter, high-energy counterpart to winter — the same spirit of connection with a warmer edge.

Book a private tasting or secure your seat at the Winter Whisky Feast at highwaymanwhisky.com.au | @highwaymanwhisky