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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.

Ink Gin gets its unique colour from the deep natural infusion of petals from an exotic blue flower. Its even more remarkable, when mixed with tonic and it turns from its lustrous blue to a remarkable blush pink. A premium dry gin made with 13 organic botanicals, including a mix of traditional and Australian natives. Like all true gins, juniper berries are the largest botanical component, however the defining character of Ink Gin comes from the second tier botanicals led by locally grown lemon myrtle leaf, coriander seed, Tasmanian pepper berry and freshly peeled sundried sweet orange peel. These major ingredients give Ink Gin its fresh piney, spicy and citrusy aroma and flavour. The third group of minor botanicals include elderflower, cinnamon, cardamom, angelica root, oris root, licorice root and lemon peel. Like a pinch of salt, these minor ingredients are critical to the end result adding perfume, body and balance.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin unique, extraordinary and as remarkable as the elusive creature PJ Rigney has occasionally glimpsed in the fields, the Drumshanbo Jackalope. Slow distilled by hand in our medieval copper pot stills with oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea. 8 pot still botanicals and 4 vapour infused botanicals are combined in the oriental traditions of distilling. Every bottle is hand filled, labelled and sealed by our dedicated team of distillers.

To create this truly unique whisky, we selectively sourced rare malted rye and the finest malted barley from progressive malt houses, paired them with virgin American oak casks air-dried for 36 months and let it all mature in the maritime air of coastal Sydney. Our preference for malted rye over the far more commonly used unmalted rye affords this whisky a point of distinction evident upon the very first sip. This layered, aromatic spirit offers notes of spiced custard, ginger, stone fruit and baked apple pie with a fresh herbal finish that lingers on the palate.

Inspired by an original Gordons recipe from the 1880s, the pink gin is perfectly crafted to balance the refreshing taste of Gordons with the natural sweetness of raspberries and strawberries, with the tang of redcurrant served up in a unique blushing tone. Made using only natural fruit flavours to guarantee the highest quality real berry taste.

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 beautiful, hand crafted gin, made and bottled on the banks of the Silent Pool. A contemporary take on a London Dry Gin Distilled with 24 botanicals including juniper, liquorice root, cassia bark and cardamom for depth and spice, and bergamot orange and kaffir lime for citrus. Rose, lavender, chamomile and linden flowers add floral notes, while local honey delivers a smooth finish. TASTING NOTES A classic gin at heart, full bodied and fresh with depth, clarity and flavour. A rich and clean juniper-driven spirit. The delicate flavours of lavender and chamomile combine with fresh citrus notes and a velvety honey.

In the 1920s Prohibition Era, a Blind Tiger was an establishment known to illegally sell alcohol, with a focus on celebrating the exciting flavour and taste of liquor cocktails, many of which were Gin based. Blind Tiger Organic Gin is distilled in small batches and is a complex, yet elegant and aromatic gin.

Tasmanian-made copper pot still gin from Pure Origins. Classic juniper berry, earthy and herbal notes give way to aromas of bergamot and lavender with subtle spice and a long finish. A must try for the gin devotee.

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.