Lark Symphony Blended Malt Whisky
Symphony No. 1 is the first blended malt from the House of Lark, representing a composition of exceptional Tasmanian single malt whiskies. Crafted from a symphony of complementary casks, Head Distiller Chris Thomson has expertly woven the complexity of American oak bourbon with the balance of sherry and heavier depth of port to form a creamy, oily melody of flavours; a malt whisky thats full of life from start to finish and carries the uncompromised signature of Lark Whiskya Tasmanian icon.
Cape Byron The Original Single Malt Australian Whisky
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.
23rd Street Australian Single Malt Whisky
XXII the connoisseurs' range from 23rd Street Distillery explores rare territory with our signature adventurous spirit. This 100% Australian Single Malt Whisky has been patiently biding its time. Australian Pale Malt, distilled in our towering twin copper pots and aged in first-fill ex-Bourbon American oak. Matured to an assertive, balanced complexity over four Riverland summers. Due to its Southern hemisphere birth, swirl anti-clockwise in the glass to waken its slumber and unlock sensory treasures including honey, tangerine, cardamom and brioche.
Morris Rutherglen Signature Single Malt Australian Whisky
The Signature expression shows bright topaz hues on appearance which open a door to orchard fruit profiles, macerated black cherry and biscuit notes balancing the zest of marmalade jam, lingering cocoa and dark-berry flavours. Prize winning fortified barrels impart an unrivalled finish of intense dried fruit with a supremely rich depth of character. COLOUR: Bright Topaz Hues NOSE: Orchard fruit profiles, macerated black cherry and biscuit notes. PALATE: Extremely well rounded with a pleasant mouth feel. Zesty marmalade jam, lingering cocoa and dark-berry flavours. FINISH: Prize winning fortified barrels impart an unrivalled finish of intense dried fruit with a supremely rich depth of character that lingers on the palate.
Karu Distillery Lightning Gin
This is a BIG gin so be ready! Double juniper gives a bold & not to be ignored entrance followed by 3 tiers of citrus spark offering butter and sweet profiling. Herbaceous and earthly floral leaves notes of garden rain on the palate.
Morris Rutherglen Muscat Barrel Single Malt Australian Whisky
Creamy mouthfeel packed full of rich dark fruits and sweet malt notes, which give way to sweet vanilla and cocoa interspersed with cinnamon spice. The whisky is matured in a combination of French and American oak ex-wine barrels plus finished in rare Morris Muscat barrels, previously used to create multi-award winning Muscat. COLOUR: Deep rich copper with reddish hues. NOSE: Rich with dates, figs and sweetness of dark molasses. PALATE: Well balanced and complex. Dried fig, sweet malt, vanilla and spices with creamy mouth feel. FINISH: Superb oak influence, lovely finish with satisfying after taste that lingers on the palate.
Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Rum
Distilled from sugar cane honey, aged and matured in a complex Solera of batches of Rum aged between 6 and 23 years old in various styles of old oak barrels. This spirit has intensity, volume of flavour and an attractive, mellow flavour that makes this the ultimate Rum experience.
St Agnes XO 15 Year Old Brandy
St Agnes XO Is a silky smooth masterpiece that is a true credit to its makers. Nutty and complex the taste will linger on the palate for longer than you thought possible. Australia's answer to the finest Brandies from around the world.
El Dorado 15 Year Old Rum
The El Dorado 15 Year Old is one of the most decorated rums in the distillerys history, including winning the International Wine and Spirit Awards Best Rum in the World an unprecedented 4 times consecutively. This award is just one amongst an exhaustive list of respected, international honours that place this rum as, surely, one of the finest ever made. It has a full nose packed with dark coffee, candied orange, almonds, dark chocolate, pepper and rich vanilla.
Dos Maderas PX 5+5 Rum
Dos Maderas PX 5 + 5 rum is made from a combination of rums from Barbados and Guyana. It is unique because of its triple ageing process where for 5 initial years the rum is aged in the Carribean in oak casks. Next PX 5 + 5 is aged in Spain for 5 years in sherry casks, and lastly for 2 more years in even older sherry casks. Sweet on the palate and very smooth