Old Young’s founder James Young said he was ending the Kitchen’s regular restaurant service to focus on the distillery. But the business later entered voluntary administration in September 2025, before trade coverage reported it had returned to operation in 2026. That timeline makes the closure a decision to refocus—not a simple success story.
Why did Old Young’s Kitchen close regular restaurant service?
Young said Old Young’s was, at its core, a distillery with a restaurant, and that running a high-quality hospitality business required attention he wanted to put into distilling. In a statement quoted by PerthNow on July 17, 2025, he said: “Running a top-quality hospitality business takes a laser focus that we want and need to apply to building a world-class distillery.”
Young also described the business as “at its core, a distillery with a restaurant, not vice versa.” The explanation was about where he wanted to direct the business’s focus. PerthNow did not report a specific financial loss or restaurant failure as the reason for ending regular service.
When did the restaurant close?
Old Young’s Kitchen opened in December 2021. On July 17, 2025, PerthNow reported that regular service was expected to finish “in six weeks”—a forecast pointing to late August, not confirmation of the final service date. Young said the team would continue to host booked functions and planned weddings after regular dining ended. That 2025 statement does not establish what the venue offers now.
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Young said more than 90,000 customers had visited the Kitchen by the time of the closure announcement. PerthNow also noted Old Young’s recognition at the 2023 Icons of Gin awards as Craft Producer and Brand Innovator of the Year.
What happened to the distillery after the closure announcement?
The later timeline was more complicated than a straightforward refocus. The Spirits Business reported that administrators were appointed to Australian Distilling on September 9, 2025. Its September 19 report said the business was trading as usual during the administration period. Administrator Greg Dudley said the company was assessing its financial position and viability while considering restructuring.
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- ENHANCING YOUR WHISKY EXPERIENCE - The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapered mouth allows and ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses. While capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base is designed to be easy on the hand.
- CRYSTAL WHISKY GLASSES - The Glencairn Glass can be found at major whisky festivals around the world and in many serious whisky bars. The glass is also used in distilleries across the globe. Since its launch in 2001 the glass has won numerous awards including the Queens Award for Innovation. Today, over 3 million glasses are sold annually and sales continue to grow.
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On June 9, 2026, Drinks Trade reported that Old Young’s had returned to operation after administration. It also reported results for the 2026 American Distilling Institute (ADI) International Spirits Awards. The award news indicates recognition for the products, but it does not by itself explain the company’s financial position or establish what changed during administration.
Is Old Young’s Distillery still operating?
The latest dated report in the available coverage is from Drinks Trade on June 9, 2026, which described Old Young’s as having returned to operation. That supports saying it had resumed operating by then; it does not verify its status on any later date. For an up-to-date visit, tour or tasting, check Old Young’s own current announcements before making plans. The sources cited here do not establish current public tours, tastings, staffing or restaurant-venue arrangements.
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- THE OFFICIAL WHISKY GLASS - In the long and illustrious history of whisky, there has never been a single definitive glass that the whisky world could call its own. Now, following in the tradition of Scottish innovation, the Glencairn Glass has arrived. The Glencairn Glass’ roots lie in the traditional nosing and tasting glasses used by master blenders and connoisseurs around the world.
- ENHANCING YOUR WHISKY EXPERIENCE - The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapered mouth allows and ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses. While capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base is designed to be easy on the hand.
- CRYSTAL WHISKY GLASSES - The Glencairn Glass can be found at major whisky festivals around the world and in many serious whisky bars. The glass is also used in distilleries across the globe. Since its launch in 2001 the glass has won numerous awards including the Queens Award for Innovation. Today, over 3 million glasses are sold annually and sales continue to grow.
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Which Old Young’s gins were named in the 2026 awards report?
Drinks Trade reported that Old Young’s Common Gin (Navy Strength) won Best Gin in the World at the 2026 ADI International Spirits Awards. The same report said Old Young’s 1829 Gin won Best Gin & Tonic in the World and Best Classic Gin. These results are attributed to Drinks Trade; the cited coverage does not independently verify them against ADI records.
Young responded to the awards: “They prove the quality never went away. Our booze stayed world class, even when life was a challenge.” The awards and his statement speak to product recognition; they do not erase the administration that came before the reported return.
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An April 2024 Old Young’s Kitchen drinks menu also lists Common Gin and 1829 Gin in cocktail offerings. That historical menu is not evidence of current restaurant service or present product availability from any retailer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the timeline does—and does not—show
- July 2025: Young said regular restaurant service would end so he could focus on building the distillery.
- September 2025: Australian Distilling entered voluntary administration; contemporaneous reporting said it continued trading during the administration period.
- June 2026: Drinks Trade described Old Young’s as having returned to operation and reported major ADI award results for two gins.
The reporting establishes the sequence, not a causal link: it does not show that closing regular restaurant service caused or resolved the distillery’s financial difficulties. It also does not confirm the exact final restaurant service date or the venue’s current use.
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- THE OFFICIAL WHISKY GLASS - In the long and illustrious history of whisky, there has never been a single definitive glass that the whisky world could call its own. Now, following in the tradition of Scottish innovation, the Glencairn Glass has arrived. The Glencairn Glass’ roots lie in the traditional nosing and tasting glasses used by master blenders and connoisseurs around the world.
- ENHANCING YOUR WHISKY EXPERIENCE - The unique and stylish shape has been crafted with eminent care to enhance the enjoyment of single malts and aged blends. The tapered mouth allows and ease of drinking not associated with traditional nosing glasses. While capturing that all-important bouquet. The wide bowl allows the fullest appreciation of the whisky’s colour and the solid base is designed to be easy on the hand.
- CRYSTAL WHISKY GLASSES - The Glencairn Glass can be found at major whisky festivals around the world and in many serious whisky bars. The glass is also used in distilleries across the globe. Since its launch in 2001 the glass has won numerous awards including the Queens Award for Innovation. Today, over 3 million glasses are sold annually and sales continue to grow.
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