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.

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.

Traditionally favoured by Indigenous societies for their medicinal benefits and protein content, native Green Ants are a unique bush tucker hand harvested in the Northern Territory by the Motlop family of the Larrakia people. The Green Ants display vibrant coriander and kaffir lime leaf flavours, with a citrus and lime burst on the palate further enhanced by Finger Lime. Native Juniper (Boobialla) is evident in the floral, perfumed aromatics, while spicy notes of Pepper Berry balance the citrus flavours. Strawberry Gum, Lemon Myrtle and Anise Myrtle provide green, leafy herbaceous characters which replicate traditional English Juniper resin characters.

Callington Mill's Enigma depicts the heart of the Callington Mill Range. It's a journey into the known and mysterious An intriguing and captivating journey into complexity and elegance - resulting in a truly enigmatic single malt aged in Ex Sherry oak casks from Jerez De La Frontera, Spain and Ex Port Oak Casks from the Douro Valley, Portugal.

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.

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.

Penfolds St Henri is one of Australia's greatest red wines. The Shiraz for St Henri is selected for subtlety and elegance and the finished wine has the structure complexity for extended bottle maturation. The 1991 is a classic St Henri vintage that is good to drink until 2022.

House of Arras was born of an ambition to create world class sparkling wines that showcases both winemaker and region. Ed Carr's House of Arras Rosé marries exceptional cold climate Tasmanian vineyards and uncompromising sparkling winemaking techniques mastered over decades. A sophisticated rosé style with an exceptional balance of red fruits and the complexity of extended age. Intense flavour and structure, with an excellent natural acidity, this is the prime example of why Ed Carr is considered Australia's greatest sparkling wine maker.