Anne Gigney is distilling more than spirits — she’s building knowledge, confidence, and a new generation of makers.

As founder of the Tasmanian Whiskey Academy and co-founder of The Distillers Institute, Anne has created learning pathways for one of Tasmania’s fastest-growing industries. Her mission is clear: to share the knowledge and craft that make Tasmanian distilling world-class.

It began with a realisation — that despite the boom in boutique spirits, there was no formal training for aspiring distillers in Australia. Anne changed that. She wrote and launched the original Foundations of Distilling course, which became the backbone of the Tasmanian Whiskey Academy and now reaches learners from across Australia and beyond.

Anne’s passion lies in bringing people and ideas together. With a background in marketing and communications (and a career spanning sport, FMCG, automotive, government, and non-profits) she understands the power of storytelling, community, and shared purpose.

Today, she plays a vital role in shaping the future of distilling in Tasmania and the Asia-Pacific. Anne champions professional development and industry standards on a global scale. But her heart is always in Tasmania, where the Academy continues to draw visitors eager to learn from the island’s craft and culture.