Headlands Distilling Co Muscat Single Malt Whisky
Rich raisins and preserved fruits are married with butterscotch, smooth charred oak and vanilla in this Australian Single Malt whisky. The whisky in this release was distilled and barrelled in the coastal town of Wollongong in 2016. It has been finished in oak casks that were seasoned with 15 year old Seppeltsfield Rare Muscat – an exclusive Australian fortified wine made from grapes in the Muscat Rouge à Petits Grains variety grown in the heartland of the Victorian wine region at Rutherglen. This complex, balanced Australian single malt whisky offers a grain to glass drinking experience, ready to be shared.
Poor Toms Fools Cut Gin
Poor Toms Fool's Cut at 52% is for audacious gin drinkers looking for a spirit with strong Juniper presence. In looking to create a gin with enough presence to shine in strong cocktails, the more delicate, floral botanicals have been left out. So it's adios strawberry gum leaf, granny smith apples, lemon myrtle and dried chamomile, and hello loads of juniper and the earthy depth of liquorice root.
Karu Distillery Lightning Gin
This is a BIG gin so be ready! Double juniper gives a bold & not to be ignored entrance followed by 3 tiers of citrus spark offering butter and sweet profiling. Herbaceous and earthly floral leaves notes of garden rain on the palate.
Alexandrion 7 Stars
He secret of Alexandrion lies in its “heart”, completed by the wine distillate left to mature in oak barrels and safeguarded in the ideal cellar conditions. The Master Blender’s thorough expertise ensures the “heart” is treasured during the blending process and preserves high-quality standards in every drop captivated in the bottle. The result is a smooth, well-balanced blend, made with aged wine distillate and complemented by a secret bouquet of natural extracts, reminiscent of delicate Mediterranean aromas. Alexandrion’s 7 stars refined taste is best enjoyed neat, on ice or warmed to redefine your senses. Food Pairing: Alexandrion 7 stars can perfectly complement any meal, set off flavours and set up a conversation on your palate. The rich smooth flavour can accompany a perfectly done piece of steak cutting through the heaviness of the meat and combine a long smooth finish to create a lavish combination. When choosing fish, try something like sardines or mackerel.
Ester Dry Gin
Esters striking Dry Gin is crafted using a traditional all-in method of distillation. Sitting at a proper and well-integrated 43% abv, the recipe takes the clean, juniper-forward profile inspired by a classic London Dry style before layers of Esters own unique twistwith a punch of savoury citrus flavour and the judicious accent of locally grown botanicals.
Archie Rose Blasphemy Coffee Whisky
Cape Byron The Original Single Malt Australian Whisky
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.
The Aisling Distillery Riverina Rum
This rum is from 2016 harvest molasses that has been aged in 3 x 225 litre, uncharred shiraz casks. Consists of Cask Number 81,83 & 87. Bottled in April 2021 at 47.5% Alc it is a numbered release. With an initial limited release of 700 bottles. Colour: Our Rum is crimson red to rich brown and caramel, aged in uncharred Shiraz Casks from a locally sourced Riverina Winery for 4 years, it contains natural colouring and flavouring from the casks with a rich molasses finish. Nose: When you raise your nose into a glass of our Riverina Rum, the moment before the flavours deluge into your mouth, your mind will often race through a life time of memories. This can be in ways of flavour that take you back to childhood Christmases, or drinking with your buddies (we’ve all got them). Whatever it brings to mind, the smell of rum activates parts of our emotional senses in our lives both past and present. Palate: In order to maximise your palate, hold the first sip in your mouth,then you will really appreciate on the next sip, look out for sweet, bitter, acidic, andspicy shiraz tones. After the taste comes the finish & the length. This is the after taste that follows well after you’ve swallowed the Rum. Tasting Notes: the beautiful caramel, banana, chocolate, licorice cherries and raisinflavours perfectly compliment the cleanliness of the double distilled spirit.
Blue Mountains Gin Company The Devil Gin
This gin is a revved-up, spicy spirit with a full taste that lives up to its fiery visage. The navy-strength alcohol kick amplifies the heady, juniper-led aroma. This chimes in with the pepper-chilli flavour highlights that overly traditional bass notes of juniper, coriander and citrus. A lingering, spicy aftertaste rounds off a flavour ensemble that adds a kick to mixed drinks.
Ink Bitter Orange Gin
Made with negronis and sun drenched aperitifs in mind, Ink Bitter Orange Gin is our richest, biggest and boldest gin yet. With a huge botanical basket starred by a melange of oranges - bitter, sweet, rescued and peel - Ink Bitter Orange is rich in round citrus oil and shines in any drink. Bitter Orange is highly versatile, with it's approachable palette working beautifully in all classic cocktails.