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.

Lobo Cider started with some of their lovely cider, a conversation with a renowned whiskey maker, and a bit of dreaming. Sometime later with cider double distilled in the copper pot, then aged in French oak barrels for three years, and careful blending, they are proud to release a superb South Australian Apple Brandy. In France apple brandy is known as Calvados. You can call this one Lobodos! Twice the wolf.

Four Pillars Navy Strength is a gin very much in the style of the Rare Dry Gin but with the volume turned up slightly beyond 11. At 58.8% ABV the gin can support some more robust and interesting botanicals, so there are three new botanicals that are both new (and fresh), including fresh turmeric and ginger. Together they have heightened the spiciness of the gin, and the turmeric in particular has added weight and a lovely earthiness to the palate. Also in the botanical basket about half the normal oranges have been replaced with some explosive native finger limes, grown in Byron Bay. They have an intensity of flavour and acid that is almost impossible to believe, and in the basket they help the gin attain super citrus notes and lovely high-toned freshness.

Matured in port puncheons, Limeburners Whisky is aged for up to 8 years. The resulting single malt is all spice and fruit with aromas of port and vanilla on the nose, barley, honey, raisins and caramel on the palate and finishes smooth.

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.

The aim with this Gin was to only use Tas native botanicals. I discovered some very impressive native berries, leaves and seeds however they could only be wild harvested which meant I could not get enough quantity to make it practical enough for an ongoing production. I have still been able to use some Tasmanian native botanicals however I have now broadened the list to only Australian native botanicals (plus the Juniper). Iam using 6 Native Australian botanicals with 3 of them never used before in any other Gin.All of my botanicals are vapour infused which is a technique not used too often with Australian Gins. Vapour infusion (as opposed to steeped) will give the Gin a much more delicate and subtle bouquet. My Gin is designed to smell beautiful. There will be delicate petal and citrus aromas with a hint of cut hay.

Nestled high in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Harris Distillery welcomes all with a sense of adventure. They are known as 'The Social Distillery', an ethos which embraces the generous character of the island and the people who live there. The award-winning Isle of Harris Gin is the distillery's inaugural spirit release. Every drop is distilled in Tarbert in their small copper gin still, known affectionately as 'The Dottach' after a similarly fiery and feisty local woman. Made with 9 carefully chosen botanicals: Local hand-harvested Sugar Kelp, Macedonian Juniper Berries, English Coriander Seed, Cubebs / Javan Pepper, Bitter Orange Peel, Angelica Root, Cassia Bark, Orris Root, Liquorice On The NoseA well-defined juniper note with pine needles, immediately followed by the fresh citrus notes of bitter orange, lime and grapefruit. Develops a complex floral note of rose and wallflowers with crushed green herbs, coriander and gooseberry all underpinned by mixed spice. Sugar kelp adds to the complexity and richness and gives a dry maritime note. On The PalateRefreshing gin with good balance between the bitter juniper and pine and the sweet fruit flavours of mango, grapefruit and orange. A green herb flavour has developed of crushed coriander. Distinctive and smooth with a dry, flinty taste. On The FinishOverall a long, clean finish. As the juniper and citrus fade away, sweet vanilla and black pepper remain with a gentle reminder of the sea.