The best

• red wine
• white wine
• champagne
• rosé
• whisky
• spirits
• beer

deals in Australia

Made using 100% Australian grown rye from a single farm in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia. The whiskey is aged in charred, new American oak barrels to embody the characteristics of traditional rye whiskey. Flavour notes: Sweet allspice, clove and pepper followed by dried red fruit and creme caramel.

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.

We approached the Distillers’ Release gin series with an idea to push boundaries; experimenting with flavours and seasonal ingredients to create profiles that ignite the imagination. We use a blend of the base liquor and Mount Lofty spring water, gently infusing it with a unique range of seasonal botanicals foraged locally and from around the globe. Our barrel aged Gin has been aged in an American oak ex apera barrel (Australia's answer to sherry). It is lusciously sweet and complex. A limited edition gin never able to be repeated.

Ink Dry Gin was created in the Northern Rivers of NSW after a global voyage of botanical discovery. This natural floral infusion of butterfly pea flower petals gives Ink Dry Gin a remarkable and lustrous inky blue hue. Visually beautiful with changes of colour from deep blue to blush pink when mixed with tonic water or a splash of lemon juice. Distilled with a blend of traditional and exotic ingredients, the flavour of juniper , native lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepper berries and sweet orange make for a aromatic and full flavoured experience.

Burly Cucumber Gin is produced in hand crafted sets of bespoke stills at our artisan distillery in Burleigh Heads. Infusions of fresh seedless Lebanese cucumbers and a combination of premium ingredients come together to achieve the unique flavour profile of our double distilled gin. The aroma of a 'cool as a cucumber' variant is a pronounced cucumber and melon, supported by juniper and spice. The palate exhibits the same flavours along with vanilla and sweet peppery notes. With a smooth mouthfeel and aftertaste softening the alcohol, it lends itself to enjoying straight 'on the rocks', or in the cocktail of your preference, ideally with a slice of cucumber and a sprig of mint leaves. Distilled and bottled by Burly Gin, 4/7 Stevenson Court, Burleigh Heads, Queensland 4220, Australia.

Nestled amongst coastal rainforest in the Byron Bay hinterland, our terroir is uniquely influenced by the powerful Pacific Ocean. 'The Original' is matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks and is a whisky true of its natural environment. The colour of a Byron Bay sunset. The palate offers soft vanilla, crème brulée and biscotti characters, layered over distinct notes of pear, coconut and buttery macadamia.

Monkey 47 is a complex Gin that has great balance between 47 unusual regional botanicals. It is blended with natural spring water to maintain the purity in taste. Enjoy recreating your favourite Gin cocktails with this beautiful Gin.

A small batch Australian gin distilled uniquely with Kangaroo Island native juniper (Myoporum insulare). Fashioned in the style of a London Dry, this contemporary expression contains fresh limes, mint as well as pink pepper, ginger, mace, cassia, and cardamom. Traditional vapour distilling maximises controlled quality of this award winning Australian spirit. Served as a G&T garnished with strawberries and lemon thyme.

Awarded Ireland's best gin, Dingle Original Gin contains botanicals from a pristine Kerry landscape, including rowan berry, fuschia, bog myrtle, hawthorn and heather. Macerated for 24hrs, the spirit is distilled in a hand beaten copper still with resulting vapors passing through a flavour basket. The distillate is then cut with pure water drawn from a well 240ft below the distillery. Each bottle is hand filled and numbered by batch. Best served over ice with tonic and a wedge of fresh orange.

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.