The first ever release of Sullivans Cove XO Double Cask Brandy is a marriage of ten different casks, each selected for their individual flavour profiles to create a uniquely Tasmanian spirit much more than the sum of its parts. Each brandy in this batch was aged for between nine and ten years in various French Oak ex-tawny and American oak ex-Bourbon casks, distilled from a wide variety of Tasmanian wines including chardonnay, pinot noir, gewurztraminer, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot to achieve incredible complexity. Lighter and more citrusy than Sullivans Cove XO Single Cask, Double Cask remains a beautifully full-bodied brandy with an intriguing balance of topical and savoury

Beyond smooth. The crisp taste of Herradura Ultra starts with one of our finest anejos filtered to remove color and enhance smoothness. Prior to filtering, a subtle hint of pure agave nectar is added giving Ultra subtle notes of cooked agave, caramel, and honey with toasted almonds and a finish that is beyond smooth.

A testament to Don Julios patience and determination for superior quality, Tequila Don Julio Añejo is the culmination of distinct rich flavours of agave balanced with the perfect amount of wood influence. Don Julio Añejo spends more than the minimum requirement of 1 year on oak, and is normally aged between 18 months and two years before it reaches its optimum age and taste profile. As with the rest of the Don Julio range the nose is fruity and floral, but with notes of vanilla and fresh agave, whilst the palate is slightly richer and more full bodied, yet still sweet and rich with citrus characteristics.

Lark Tasmanian Single Malt Whisky is proudly unique in character and style. Entirely made by hand, Lark consistently distills some of the worlds most prized Whiskies, with no more than 100 litres at a time. Distilled in locally crafted copper-pot stills, this exceptional classic cask is the flagship product of the Lark Distillery. This Whisky is best described as a complex mix of vanilla-caramel-maple syrup with some slightly spicy, floral notes and gentle hints of fresh pepper on a flavourful lingering finish. Excellent neat or with a drop or two of filtered water.

Michters is Americas first distilling company, dating back to 1753 when they started out making rye whiskey. They take a 'Cost Be Damned' approach to the production of every barrel, using various methods including air drying their barrels for 36 months, toasting the barrels before charring them, using a low barrel-entry strength, heat cycling to encourage ageing during the frigid winters and using specific filtration types for each whiskey they make.

Fortis, meaning ‘brave, bold’ is an Australian single malt whisky which celebrates local ingredients and the red wine barrel maturation Starward is known for. The first higher ABV release for Starward, Fortis is matured in 100% American Oak red wine barrels to give it a fuller and richer mouthfeel. A rich, full-bodied flavour balanced with the approachable velvety smoothness Starward whiskies are known for. Expect upfront notes of Madagascan vanilla pod and toasty oak. The palate is all chocolate ganache, cinnamon, quince and raisin with a lingering baking spiced finish.

Co-created by one of Scotland’s most awarded Master Distillers, Jim McEwan, together with Cape Byron Distillery Co-founder and distiller Eddie Brook are two new Australian takes on a classic Scottish single malt. Many readers will already know of Jim McEwan who has more than fifty years of experience in the whisky business, having worked at Bowmore for 38 years, before overseeing the rebirth of Bruichladdich and most recently helping to get new Islay distillery, Ardnahoe, off the ground. Two editions are on offer: A Chardonnay barrelled limited edition, and this, the Cape Byron 'Original', aged in Scotland's traditional vessel of choice: American oak x-Bourbon casks. Says Brook, “They go together like a match made in heaven. [The whisky is] not overly dominated by the oak, it’s letting the spirit sing, and we’re seeing this marriage.” What partly accounts for the distinctive style is that the pair have resisted the temptation to use smaller barrels to ‘accelerate’ the ageing process. It's the opposite approach of most Australian distillers. “...We’ve got this climate that gives us faster maturation. Now that’s great, but it can also get too much, you can get too much tannin and then over-oaking in your whisky, ” Brook explains. "To avoid this, we only mature in full format barrels, between 200 to 300 litres in size". Specially designed warehousing facilities further offset Byron’s temperature extremes. According to McEwan, another factor is the distillery's proximity to the coast. “Walk down the barrel room... you’re getting that marine character and influence coming through" he says. "That moisture is falling on the oak staves, and slowly but surely, there’ll be a residue of salt and eventually as the whisky moves in and out, as the temperature increases, the alcohol will expand and it will touch the salt, and pull it back, and that brings a unique marine freshness to the spirit – quite different from anything else...” No surprise that McEwan reckons fans of Bruichladdich might taste some similarities in the Cape Byron spirit. “They’re not dissimilar. There’s no peat, [Eddie’s] using American oak, I used a lot of American oak Bourbon casks as well. I’ve used wine casks – and you’ve got all the wine casks there. There’s a similarity there between what I was doing in Islay and what Eddie’s doing here." As for the taste? Can't say there are many like this - either here or abroad - but you can appreciate why McEwen draws comparisons with Bruichladdich. Cape Byron's Original is a creamy, near voluptuous malt that defies its age. Peaches and cream come through with sweet barley and shortbread on the nose. The co-mingling of dried mango and juicy malt with the Bourbon vanilla aspects is nicely done, and there's a spicy edge adding vibrancy. At the finish, more peaches and cream, dried mango and a little grilled pineapple, pepper and coastal freshness develop. It's a whisky less about overt complexity, all about generous mouthfeel and precocious flavour. No doubt that equation will change over time. Right now, the creative forces behind the project have guaranteed one of the more compelling Aussie releases in recent years. Matured for three years in 200 litre ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon casks. 47% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Batch 001 tasted. Notes from the producers... The colour of a Byron Bay sunset. The palate offers soft vanilla, creme brulee and biscotti characters, layered over distinct notes of pear, coconut and buttery macadamia.

Fresh wood barrel dominates the spirit with a touch of vanilla and flowers that bring to breath of nectar, maltose, tones of fruits citrus, Mizunara oak & coffee beans; medium wood intergration, then finish with a sweet aftertaste of maltose. Very smooth, rounded full pallet and easy to drink.