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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.

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.

Islay artisans, Bruichladdich, turn their hands to producing the first and only Islay Dry Gin. The botanicals used comprise of nine classic gin varietals, plus 22 wild, Islay botanicals that are hand-picked from the wind-swept hills, peat bogs and the Atlantic shores. The result is a highly distinctive, complex, floral gin with outstanding finish and impeccable provenance. In an age of re-badged industrial gins, the Botanist stands out as a truly artisanal, small-batch, hand-crafted labour of love and distiller's art. A breath of botanical Islay in every glass.

A 100% rye made in Brunswick, Melbourne from all-Australian grain grown in the Mallee. Following double distillation the whisky is matured in a two-storey tall bespoke solera system composed of new American oak and x Australian wine barrels.

XXII the connoisseurs' range from 23rd Street Distillery explores rare territory with our signature adventurous spirit. This 100% Australian Single Malt Whisky has been patiently biding its time. Australian Pale Malt, distilled in our towering twin copper pots and aged in first-fill ex-Bourbon American oak. Matured to an assertive, balanced complexity over four Riverland summers. Due to its Southern hemisphere birth, swirl anti-clockwise in the glass to waken its slumber and unlock sensory treasures including honey, tangerine, cardamom and brioche.

Cotswolds Dry Gin has a delectable blend of nine carefully considered botanicals. Upfront and clean on the palate, followed by fresh grapefruit and a hint of coriander seed. Black pepper spice builds with a touch of dryness. Clean and balanced finish with a hint of lime and lavender.

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.

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.

Together with the rise of Copperhead gin came the growth of bartending.In 2018 world-renowned bartender Marian Beke, owner of the Gibson bar in London, created Copperhead the Gibson Edition. Inspired by the classic cocktail Gibson Martini this edition is a unique savoury style of gin, thanks to the immense flavour palette. Added to the original 5 Copperhead botanicals are not less than 13 carefully selected spices traditionally used in pickling. These ingredients, among which are mace, pepper, cassia, bay leaf, ginger, allspice, fennel and dill seeds are joined by just a touch of eight-year-old Genever to complete this smooth and complex taste.The Gibson Edition can be used to add a pickled twist to cocktails or can be enjoyed with premium tonic water as your new favourite Gin & Tonic. Add a pickled garnish to finish it off.

Four Pillars Spiced Negroni gin cuts through the Campari and vermouth in your Negroni. It uses the base Four Pillars botanicals along with extra Tasmanian pepper berry leaf and cinnamon. There is also some West African spice called Grains of Paradise, with clove and Sichuan characters. Cameron uses organic blood oranges in the botanical basket, as well as ginger.