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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.

6x 100ml Gin. Gin: Sir Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming, Charles Dickens, Queen Elizabeth II, F. Scott Fitzgerald – if you’re a gin fan, you’re in smart and sophisticated company. Its earliest origins date back to the Middle Ages, since then the drink has evolved from a herbal medicine to the classic Gin that remains so popular today. Gin derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries (which are full of antioxidants) with perfectly balanced botanicals – so we think this is just the tonic for those who need a rejuvenating drink at the end of a busy day. Serving Suggestions: To serve, fill two tumblers with ice, fill glasses evenly with Dr Onyx Just Gin, top with a quality tonic water (we recommend Fever Tree) and a squeeze of fresh lime, dropping the lime into the glass. Volume: 100ml, 40% Alcohol, Approx. 3.2 Standard Drinks.

Size: 1Lt (8 - 10 Serves) What’s Included: 2x Classic Gin Negroni 500ml Made With: Ford's Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth Directions: Keep chilled before serving. Pour approximately 2.5-3 shots (75-90ml) into a chilled tumbler glass filled with ice and garnish with a fresh orange peel. Ensure to squeeze the peel over the cocktail before placing it into the cocktail to release the fresh citrus oils. Enjoy responsibly. About Ford's Gin: Distilled in London at Thames Distillers, Fords Gin is a collaboration between 8th generation Master Distiller Charles Maxwell and Simon Ford of The 86 Co. The gin, a mix of 9 botanicals, starts with a traditional base of juniper & coriander seed and is balanced by citrus (bitter orange, lemon & grapefruit peel), florals (jasmine flower & orris) and spices (angelica & cassia).

Size: 1Lt (8 - 10 Serves) What’s Included: 2x Classic Gin Martini 500mL Made With: Fords Gin, Dry Vermouth, Orange Bitters Directions: Keep chilled before serving. Pour approximately 2.5-3 shots (75-90mL) into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a green olive or fresh orange peel. Ensure to squeeze the peel over the cocktail before placing it into the cocktail to release the fresh citrus oils. Enjoy responsibly. About Ford’s Gin: Distilled in London at Thames Distillers, Fords Gin is a collaboration between 8th generation Master Distiller Charles Maxwell and Simon Ford of The 86 Co. The gin, a mix of 9 botanicals, starts with a traditional base of juniper & coriander seed and is balanced by citrus (bitter orange, lemon & grapefruit peel), florals (jasmine flower & orris) and spices (angelica & cassia).

Speakeasy 500ml Gin Gin: Sir Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming, Charles Dickens, Queen Elizabeth II, F. Scott Fitzgerald – if you’re a gin fan, you’re in smart and sophisticated company. Its earliest origins date back to the Middle Ages, since then the drink has evolved from a herbal medicine to the classic Gin that remains so popular today. Gin derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries (which are full of antioxidants) with perfectly balanced botanicals – so we think this is just the tonic for those who need a rejuvenating drink at the end of a busy day. Serving Suggestions: To serve, fill two tumblers with ice, fill glasses evenly with Dr Onyx Just Gin, top with a quality tonic water (we recommend Fever Tree) and a squeeze of fresh lime, dropping the lime into the glass. Volume: 500ml, 40% Alcohol, Approx. 16 Standard Drinks.