Australian Malt Whisk(e)y

@sengjc I have not, but based on your descriptors, I have a double, neat, Mr. Bartender.

I have reviews up for a lark single cask, the sullivans cove double cask, the heartwood release the beast, and a review for the heartwood convict unchained is on the way.

Cool dude, thanks.

Hi all,

I have enjoyed a few different expressions of Australian whisky. My favourite so far has been Sullivan's Cove French Oak Port Cask, which was rated very highly by Jim Murray in his 2013 ratings (96.5/100).

My tasting notes from earlier this year:

*Colour: rich golden *Nose: vanilla, caramel, orange peel, dark raisins, demerera sugar, licorice, butter, banana peel, sweet leather, grass clippings *Taste: rum and raisin chocolate, christmas pudding, cream, lemon butter, honey, golden syrup, light licorice, sherry, lime cordial, citric acid. *Finish: slightly bitter, but overall delicious. Light effect overall, but with lots of nuance when consumed with care.

@Rodstar

I did manage to try a couple of the Sullivan's Cove malts. They are very good.

Personally my favorite Australian distillery is Limeburners in WA, however my big issue with them is the price point, very expensive and when you start paying $500 to $700 AUS for a bottle of cask strength you really start looking hard at Broras and the Port Ellens.

Starward from the New World Distillery has just been released (in Melbourne no less my friend) and that highlights a lot of what the Aussies can do in a short amount of time!

In my personal opinion the biggest issues facing the Australian whisky community today is the price point, so often they're too expensive for what they are, and the batch variation. Hellyer's Road for me is a good example: first time trying it; LOVELY! 2nd time trying it after purchasing it; UNPLEASANT, 3rd time trying 4 different expressions at Whisky Live Perth; FOUL!

Once batch inconsistencies and the price points can be addressed I think the Aussies are going to do some major butt kicking on the world stage!

But palate wise definitely expect a lot of fruit with lots of spice and some excellent casks being chosen!

@SquidgyAsh

I can see your point about the consistency issue given the youth of the Australian whisky industry and you are right about the price, they are not cheap even in Australia.

The Starward is a 'new release' and relatively inexpensive while being very good. I was told that their approach is geared towards producing a consistent whisky. I think I might get a bottle of that but will have to rethink getting a bottle of Overeem Port Matured Cask Strength which I thought was the standout of the show.

@sengjc I loved the Overeem Port Cask, but my standout was amusingly enough the Sherry Cask from Overeem! They're doing some very good whiskies over that way and at a reasonablish price!

Indeed Starward is shooting for a consistent price and whisky before moving on to anything else or so they informed me. I must be honest though that Hellyer's Road surprised me by even allowing their whiskies to be tasted as both myself, wife and whisky club noted strong flavors of baby vomit and diapers in all 4 of their whiskies which REALLY surprised me. I remember the first bottle from them being so very delicious and now :(

I don't think I've ever come across an Australian whisky here in Japan. I would very much like to try a bottle but certainly not at some of the prices I've seen mentioned here!

@CanadianNinja Hopefully as the industry matures and hopefully grows, we can see a general improvement on consistency and a price reduction.