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.

Reminiscent of slow and salty days, Papa Salt is an easy-drinking gin made for sharing. Native Australian wattleseed and pink peppercorn are brightened with zesty wax flower, hibiscus, citrus peel and a hint of oyster shell. Have it short, tall or straight up. We'll take ours in the sun with soda water and a wedge of orange.

This savoury gin is inspired by Australia’s pristine coastline, infused with seaweed, tarragon, native finger lime, ruby grapefruit and crushed Sydney Rock Oyster shells. It offers a smooth, creamy texture with a delicate hint of salinity balanced with vibrant citrus notes. Comes to life in a classic Martini or a refreshing Gin & Tonic. 40% Alc./Vol.

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.

A well-rounded and savoury recipe, our Navy Strength Gin summons the characteristics of the best spices first discovered on the infamous Silk Road, and with that little extra kick to make it an unforgettable journey.

Distilled in Melbourne. Brogans Royal Blood Gin is the savoury sensation that is her navy strength gin. Something a bit special, complex with a lingering cardamom heat, at 57.2% it has a bit of a kick. Herbal aromas and flavours from the rosemary and bay leaf are seasoned with Australian sea parsley, saltbush and roasted wattle seed giving plenty of good mouthfeel. Tasting Note Juniper forward, dry, slightly citrus, and extremely savoury. With herbal and aromatic characters of fresh vapour distilled rosemary leaf, supported by bay leaf, olive leaf and black peppercorns, that are amplified by the Australian natives of spicy mountain pepper leaf, fragrant and savoury salt bush and salty sea parsley. A bold amount of roasted native wattle seeds lengthens the finish and exaggerates the heat of green cardamom. A winner in a dry Martini and a Dirty G&T with a slice of apple to garnish.

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.

A premium seasonal gin made in the style of English sloe gin, supplanting handpicked local Mulberries in the place of the traditional sloes. Local mulberries are steeped in the gin, then pressed by hand; final steps include light filtering before bottling. Naturally sweet, rich and smooth mulberry flavours distinguish this elegant gin. Served with fresh lemon juice, soda/bitter lemon and garnished with fresh berries, mint or basil.

Split Point gin has a soft subtle delicate nose, teasing out the botanicals in an enticing release. a beautifully balanced gin across the palate. sweet upfront, revealing good juniper notes through to a wonderful finish.

Gin is created using limonene, one of the main compounds found in cannabis plants. The limonene adds an ultra-rich profile to the spirit, mingling alongside notes of juniper, mandarin and lime, and finishing with soft spice. Limonene is also found in citrus peel and is said to have anti-inflammatory properties which can be used to relieve stress and naturally decrease anxiety and depression.