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.

A delicate gin that is Juniper forward, with some soft citrus & floral notes up front. The pallet is crisp and peppery off the back of fresh Celery Leaf, Cubeb Pepper Berries and Grains of Paradise. These tones flow smoothly with a hint of Cassia into a delicate, balanced finish. Awards: Champion Gin, Royal Perth Distilled Spirit Awards 2020. Best in Class in Classic Dry Gin category, Australian Gin Awards 2019. Best Small Batch Spirit, Australian Distilled, Spirit Awards 2017.

This Cuban classic now made in Australia, mixing together Australian Rum and lime juice with the perfect hint of sweetness and mint to give you that Summer feeling all year round. Pour into cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 20 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.

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.

This Limeburners is matured in second fill bourbon barrels and finished in very old, small sherry cask. Exhibiting spice and fruit aromas when neat, a splash of water unleashes malted barley, aromas of sherry and vanilla with hints of honey, raisins and buttery caramel. 43% Alc./Vol.

Authentic tequila combined with triple sec and tangy Australian limes, bringing to life the original, fresh and crisp taste explosion. Garnish the rim of the glass with lime wedge and add salt for extra punch. Served chilled over ice.

Created using hemp seeds, a type of low THC Cannabis sativaplants. We locally source protein-rich ingredients including locally grown Australian Hemp to create gluten-free, lactose-free drinks without chemical additives, providing a natural Hemp highlight. This refined Hemp Gin bottled at 40%, is best enjoyed with a premium mixer or over ice.

Aged 4yrs in American Oak ex Makers Mark barrels, Iron House Single Malt Bourbon Cask brings rum and raisin aromas with a subtle vanilla and a spiced herb oak undertone. A wash of buttery warm caramels heat, hazelnut and oak finish with sweet dried fruits to engulf the palate, with a lengthy finish of bourbon heat and spiced oils.