Widow Jane American Oak Aged Rye Whiskey
This American Oak Aged Whiskey Distilled from a Rye Mash is at least two years old. Mostly rye grain and a touch of barley, this rye is a spicy summer rye and makes some great cocktails. A good bitter, or a splash of vermouth or ginger beer goes a long way.
Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva Solera 23 Rum
The Matusalem Rum company was started by the Camp brothers in 1872 as a family affair. The "new" Cuban rum rapidly caught on in the world's markets. In the early 1940's the company experienced a period of tremendous growth and by the 1950's it had already captured 50% of the Cuban market, making it the leading rum sold in Cuba. Today, descendents of the founders produce Ron Matusalem in the Dominican Republic. The brand “Matusalem” was named after the Biblical Patriarch, Methuselah who was said to have lived for 969 years, so symbolising the patient ageing and old world craftsmenship used to give Ron Matusalem Rum its exceptional flavour. The key to Matusalems’s Gran Reserva rum’s complexity is the Solera aging process where various mature rums are carefully blended together.
Kavalan Triple Sherry Matured Single Malt Taiwanese Whisky
Kavalan have launched a new expression matured in three different Sherry casks, namely oloroso, Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Moscatel casks. Senior Blender, Zerose Yang adds, “Its main character, the dried fruits of the oloroso cask, are embellished with the sweetness of PX and Moscatel casks... The resulting liquid offers notes of cinnamon, candied smoked plum, and citrus, layered with a nose of berry, tropical fruits, and longan, alongside a dash of honey, chocolate, and toffee on the palate." For those who are used to the distillery's extravagant cask strength expressions, this takes a step back. The nose presents an attractive array of dried fruits and plummy malt, mingling with sweet spices. It's an accessible, middle weight style, with a convincing sherry lick and an appropriate dash of spice. You can't really fault the balance, but in the context of what this distillery is best known for, it's Kavalan light. 40% Alc./Vol.
The Kurayoshi 12 Year Old Pure Malt Japanese Whisky
Kurayoshi are one of a few Japanese small-scale craft (or Ji) whiskies to be released in Australia. Created in the shadow of Mt Daisen, at the Matsui Distillery, the whiskies benefit from the mountain’s crystal clear waters and over a century of expertise. The blenders here often combine malt whisky from Scotland with locally produced whisky. This is not an uncommon practice in Japan, and the exact breakdown typically remains undisclosed. Tasting note: Polished copper. Not vastly different to the 8 year old, showing the same subtle Summer yellow fruits, only softer again and with delicious succulence, a bigger finish and better length. It's delicately oily with cocoa-dusted stewed fruits and buzzing spices through the finish. The balance is perfect here, and it feels older than it actually is. Pick of the bunch. 43% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Iron House Distillery Tasman Whisky Bourbon Single Malt
Iron House Distilleries Tasman Whisky Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky was aged 4 years in ex Markers Mark American Oak barrels. Aromas of raisin and rum come through with subtle hints of vanilla and a spiced herb oak undertone. A palate of buttery warm caramels heat, hazelnut and oak finishing with sweet dried fruits. A long finish with spiced oils and bourbon heat. Iron House Distillery is located at the edge of the Tasman Sea, where the old droving Hut Iron House once stood watchful.
Iron House Distillery Tasman Whisky Port Single Malt
Iron House Distilleries Tasman Whisky Port Cask Single Malt Whisky was matured in port barrels sources from Portugal and re-conditioned in Tasmania. Aged for 4 years, this whisky has a reddish orange ember hue in the glass. The nose has aromas of bold red wine, stone fruit, and buttery, but with a sweetened spiced aroma. This continues to the palate with flavours of dried dark fruit, red berried wine, orange zest, hazelnut oak warmth with hints of ruby tobacco sweet dark chocolate. Iron House Distillery is located at the edge of the Tasman Sea, where the old droving Hut Iron House once stood watchful.
Kirin Fuji Single Grain Japanese Whisky
While most other Japanese distilleries have followed the methods of Scotland, Mt. Fuji Distillery is influenced by major whisk(e)y producers all around the world, which explains this tri-part blend distilled using three different methods, each giving their own unique flavour profile. Although the exact mash-bill isn't stated, the backbone of the spirit is reported to be a 'Canadian style' grain, made with a batch distillation in something similar to a kettle still. That's supported by a Bourbon-style distillate using a Doubler, and a third Scotch-style light grain put through a continuous multi-column still. The triptych of profiles comes through in the flavours. Fuji smells a little more malt-like than typical single grain with creamy soda and vanilla malt enhanced by delicate fruity notes like stewed pears and caramelised apples. It's also fuller, richer and with more mouthfeel than you'd anticipate. There are the standard lashings of vanilla wafer but they sit over a backdrop of poached orchard fruits and warming wood spices, followed by more creamy soda, hints of dried banana and a lovely flourish of American oak which gives a Bourbonesque or light rye character to the finish. This release was initially for bars only, but from early 2021 it became available for regular tipplers in Japan and then abroad. A good thing. It's a single grain with terrific mouthfeel, and one that deserves a wide audience. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Notes from the producers... NOSE Aromas of poached pear, rustic fruit tart, Cognac and marron glacé. PALATE Seamless mouthfeel with multi layered flavours of poached pear, orange marmalade, raspberry jam, baking spices, and bitter chocolate. FINISH Mellow with gentle sweetness and pleasant spiciness, smooth with medium length finish and a hint of exotic incense.
The Kurayoshi 8 Year Old Pure Malt Japanese Whisky
Tasting note: Matured in a Bourbon cask. Amber gold. Opens a little shy, but develops with a spicy fruity interplay (dried fruits, plums, apricots?) perhaps a touch of grapefruit, then more nutty and sweet-spicy. All very subtle. Silky and mellow beyond its age statement. A deft burst of spice seals the finish. Possibly less fruity than the 3 year old but with a plusher texture. Quite lovely malt. 43% Alc./Vol.
Kavalan Concertmaster Sherry Finish Single Malt Whisky
Tasting note: [15ml sample] The second whisky in the Concertmaster series is aged in the distillery’s own special reserve of refill casks, then finished in the Spanish ex Sherry casks. Moderate aromas of dried fruits, in particular, dried mango followed by a touch of banana. Medium-dry rather than sweet, accessible, well rounded and with solid depth at this ABV, instead of traditional sherried notes, blueberries come to mind, especially at the finish where the impression is enhanced by fresh acidity. 40% Alc./Vol.