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

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.

The first paddock to pour truffle gin made with fresh black truffles grown on our family farm in Australias picturesque Southern Highlands. Starting with our fresh truffle as the hero, we infuse unique Australian botanicals such as Kangaroo Island Honey and Tasmanian Mountain Pepper, plus a few other secret spices, to achieve an out-of-this world aromatic experience.

Penfolds Bin 407 began life back in 1993 with the release of the 1990 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon. Created as a result of the availability of high quality Cabernet fruit, Bin 407 is inspired by its older brother, Bin 707. Not only offering varietal definition, but also approachability, structure and depth of flavour. The Bin 407 highlights the Penfolds approach to multi-region, multi-vineyard blending to create a Cabernet that rewards the drinker in both early and later years.

Drawing on over a century of distilling wisdom, Ukiyo Japanese Blossom Gin is born in Kagoshima from a base of locally grown rice that is distilled into a traditional shch spirit. We redistill our shch with juniper, regional citrus, cherry blossom and native botanicals, always exercising restraint in the pursuit of clarity and perfection. The fruits of this endeavour are born out in the delicate blossom aroma that emulate those found in the mountains and coastline surrounding our home in Kagoshima.

SEEK STRANGE, FIND WONDER Inspired by experimentation and the discovery of something different, Strange Nature gets its name from its surprising origin and the unusual character that instils; Its traceable and trusted... Born in one of New Zealands most sustainable vineyards, Strange Nature has true terroir. Quite extraordinary! Going against the grain, Strange Nature was salvaged from a rather delectable by-product - the distillate of the worlds first 0% alcohol New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wine. Naturally flavoured and distilled with a single botanical, the one that defines gin juniper. Less is more and you can really taste it

Drawing on over a century of distilling wisdom, Ukiyo Japanese Yuzu Gin is born in Kagoshima from a base of locally grown rice that is distilled into a traditional shch spirit. We redistill our shch with juniper, yuzu, regional citrus and botanicals, respecting the 1500 year old tradition of cultivating and harvesting yuzu in Japan. The yuzu flavour is tart and fragrant, resembling that of the lemon and grapefruit, with overtones of mandarin orange.

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.

First Gin From Suntory - Roku Gin is a journey through the four seasons with six unique Japanese botanicals.

This Western-style gin from Portland, Oregan, so impressed Wine Enthusiast magazine, they recently voted it 'Top Gin'. With delicious lavender and citrus notes in a creamy-rye spirit base, this Aviation Gin is equally enjoyable on its own or in a lip-smacking cocktail.