Callington Mill Invicta
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber, hints of pink
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Orange peel, strawberry jam, cream, rhubarb and custard sweets, black tea, hints of vanilla sponge.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sweet. Black tea, vanilla sponge, orange peel, strawberry jam, marmalade, milk chocolate, fresh baked bread, hints of shortcrust pastry.
Finish: Medium. Black tea, fresh baked bread, strawberry jam, marmalade.
Comments:
Pure port finish. Jammy, but with hints of orange and marmalade this time, with a bready, pastry note on the tongue and on the finish. Again, much better at the higher ABV.
Verdict:
I like this.
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia. Show all posts
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Callington Mill El Sol
Callington Mill El Sol
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, vanilla sponge, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, red grapes, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, coffee, cocoa nibs, black pepper, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, raspberry jam, coffee.
Comments:
Aged in a combination of sherry casks, Fino, Amontillado, PX and Oloroso. Chocolatey, lots of bitter cocoa too, but plenty of sweet fruity jam. The extra ABV is helpful, indeed essential.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, vanilla sponge, milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, hints of black pepper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Fresh baked bread, red grapes, milk chocolate, strawberry jam, coffee, cocoa nibs, black pepper, fresh baked bread.
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, raspberry jam, coffee.
Comments:
Aged in a combination of sherry casks, Fino, Amontillado, PX and Oloroso. Chocolatey, lots of bitter cocoa too, but plenty of sweet fruity jam. The extra ABV is helpful, indeed essential.
Verdict:
I like this.
Callington Mill Enigma
Callington Mill Enigma
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry jam, damson jam, honey, malted grains, fresh baked bread, black tea, hints of brown paper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, vanilla sponge, damson jam, honey, hints of custard.
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, orange peel, damson jam, honey.
Comments:
Aged in port and sherry casks. Quite sweet as you’d expect, but also endowed with a peppery bitterness. It’s decent but rather low strength, which takes away some of the complexity.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber red
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry jam, damson jam, honey, malted grains, fresh baked bread, black tea, hints of brown paper.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, mouth coating.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, vanilla sponge, damson jam, honey, hints of custard.
Finish: Short. Fresh baked bread, black pepper, orange peel, damson jam, honey.
Comments:
Aged in port and sherry casks. Quite sweet as you’d expect, but also endowed with a peppery bitterness. It’s decent but rather low strength, which takes away some of the complexity.
Verdict:
I like this.
Friday, 18 July 2025
Morris Smoked Muscat Limited Edition
Morris Smoked Muscat Limited Edition
Official bottling
Single malt - Victoria
Amber, hints of bronze
48.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Charcoal ash, burning leaves, driftwood smoke, tyre rubber, honey, raisins, red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, cool, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, driftwood smoke, soot, charcoal ash, raisins, cloves, honey, hints of molasses.
Finish: Medium. Honey, raisins, damson jam, cloves, hints of molasses.
Comments:
Very smoky and chemical, lots of intense waves of burning things! Underneath that thick layer of peat and smoke, there’s a sweet raisiny note, with bittersweet notes of molasses. Very unbalanced, but somehow it works.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Victoria
Amber, hints of bronze
48.3% ABV
Dram
Nose: Charcoal ash, burning leaves, driftwood smoke, tyre rubber, honey, raisins, red grapes.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, cool, slightly astringent.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Raisins, driftwood smoke, soot, charcoal ash, raisins, cloves, honey, hints of molasses.
Finish: Medium. Honey, raisins, damson jam, cloves, hints of molasses.
Comments:
Very smoky and chemical, lots of intense waves of burning things! Underneath that thick layer of peat and smoke, there’s a sweet raisiny note, with bittersweet notes of molasses. Very unbalanced, but somehow it works.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Killara 2yo Batch 1
Killara 2yo Batch 1
That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber gold
49% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, chocolate, peanuts, raisins, sea salt, cream, damson jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, hot, volatile.
Tasting: Sweet. Shortcrust pastry, chocolate, peanuts, honey, damson jam, raisins, cloves, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, peanuts, chocolate, shortcrust pastry, honey.
Comments:
This whisky tastes a bit like plum pudding! Lots of pastry notes, damsons and winter spices abound. It’s a nice thick, heavy mouthfeel too. The only detractor is that the finish is quite short.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber gold
49% ABV
Dram
Nose: Malted grains, chocolate, peanuts, raisins, sea salt, cream, damson jam.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, hot, volatile.
Tasting: Sweet. Shortcrust pastry, chocolate, peanuts, honey, damson jam, raisins, cloves, hints of fresh baked bread.
Finish: Short. Malted grains, peanuts, chocolate, shortcrust pastry, honey.
Comments:
This whisky tastes a bit like plum pudding! Lots of pastry notes, damsons and winter spices abound. It’s a nice thick, heavy mouthfeel too. The only detractor is that the finish is quite short.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Friday, 4 July 2025
Hellyers Road 19yo Voyager
Hellyers Road 19yo Voyager
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, dried strawberries, dried blueberries, lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon, fresh baked bread. With water, malted grains, dried strawberries, orange peel, honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, leather, lemon zest, cloves, honey, fresh baked bread, raisins, hints of dried strawberries. With water, raisins, dried strawberries, honey, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Raisins, dried strawberries, peaches, lemon zest, hints of smoke.
Comments:
Cask 20F10C04. Very fruity, but water brings out maltiness and honey. There’s some smoke in this, it’s more apparent on the tongue. The finish is long and fruity again, with more smoke.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
57% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honey, dried strawberries, dried blueberries, lemon zest, cloves, cinnamon, fresh baked bread. With water, malted grains, dried strawberries, orange peel, honey.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Smoke, leather, lemon zest, cloves, honey, fresh baked bread, raisins, hints of dried strawberries. With water, raisins, dried strawberries, honey, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Raisins, dried strawberries, peaches, lemon zest, hints of smoke.
Comments:
Cask 20F10C04. Very fruity, but water brings out maltiness and honey. There’s some smoke in this, it’s more apparent on the tongue. The finish is long and fruity again, with more smoke.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 18yo 2004/2022 Peated French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Hellyers Road 18yo 2004/2022 Peated French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
58.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, peat, menthol, black pepper, potting soil, lemon zest, orange peel. With water, smoke, autumn leaves, cookie dough, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Orange peel, menthol, black pepper, honey, lemon zest, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, hints of autumn leaves. With water, driftwood smoke, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Smoke, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, autumn leaves, menthol.
Comments:
Cask 4022.03. Smoky but still sweet and redolent of overripe fruit. There’s some tobacco here, which is all the more alluring for the saline smoke. Water releases more earthiness and saltiness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
58.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, peat, menthol, black pepper, potting soil, lemon zest, orange peel. With water, smoke, autumn leaves, cookie dough, lemon zest.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Orange peel, menthol, black pepper, honey, lemon zest, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, hints of autumn leaves. With water, driftwood smoke, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, orange peel.
Finish: Long. Smoke, tobacco leaf, driftwood smoke, autumn leaves, menthol.
Comments:
Cask 4022.03. Smoky but still sweet and redolent of overripe fruit. There’s some tobacco here, which is all the more alluring for the saline smoke. Water releases more earthiness and saltiness.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road 18yo 2002/2001 Original French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Hellyers Road 18yo 2002/2021 Original French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber gold
61.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, clay dust, apple juice, orange blossom, orange juice, lemon zest, rye bread. With water, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sea salt, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots, clay dust, rye bread, black pepper. With water, rye bread, dried strawberries, apricots, orange juice.
Finish: Long. Dried strawberries, clay dust, lemon zest, orange juice.
Comments:
Cask 2283.03. Quite thick, but the flavours are gentle. Some dusty notes vie with the sweet, slightly overripe fruit. It builds to a long dusty finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber gold
61.4% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peat, clay dust, apple juice, orange blossom, orange juice, lemon zest, rye bread. With water, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, tingly, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Sea salt, orange juice, dried strawberries, apricots, clay dust, rye bread, black pepper. With water, rye bread, dried strawberries, apricots, orange juice.
Finish: Long. Dried strawberries, clay dust, lemon zest, orange juice.
Comments:
Cask 2283.03. Quite thick, but the flavours are gentle. Some dusty notes vie with the sweet, slightly overripe fruit. It builds to a long dusty finish.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 17yo 2004/2021 French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Hellyers Road 17yo 2004/2021 French Exclusive (for LMDW)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
59.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, gooseberries, apricots, lemon zest, meringues, hints of white pepper. With water, lemon zest, seaweed, meringues, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, oily, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Gooseberries, smoke, peat, walnut skins, sea salt, seaweed, meringues, lemon zest, autumn leaves. With water, malted grains, cream, meringues, lemon zest, hints of seaweed.
Finish: Long. Smoke, peat, seaweed, autumn leaves, hints of cookie dough.
Comments:
Cask 4082.06. Citrusy, with prominent notes of meringue, but this is quickly overtaken by savory saline notes of seaweed. So seaweed meringues are a thing. The finish is long and smoky, and the seaweed appears again.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
59.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: White grapes, gooseberries, apricots, lemon zest, meringues, hints of white pepper. With water, lemon zest, seaweed, meringues, malted grains.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, oily, thickens.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Gooseberries, smoke, peat, walnut skins, sea salt, seaweed, meringues, lemon zest, autumn leaves. With water, malted grains, cream, meringues, lemon zest, hints of seaweed.
Finish: Long. Smoke, peat, seaweed, autumn leaves, hints of cookie dough.
Comments:
Cask 4082.06. Citrusy, with prominent notes of meringue, but this is quickly overtaken by savory saline notes of seaweed. So seaweed meringues are a thing. The finish is long and smoky, and the seaweed appears again.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 15yo Slightly Peated
Hellyers Road 15yo Slightly Peated
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Toast, smoke, peat, leather, rye bread, black pepper, lemon zest, apricots, sea salt, hints of roast beef.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, chalky, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Peat, leather, soot, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, apricots, peaches, diesel exhaust.
Finish: Long. Soot, peaches, peat, leather, apricots, lemon zest.
Comments:
Smoky, citrusy, less fruity than the others perhaps. There’s a lot of soot and bitter ashy flavours here. There’s finish is long and smoky, and finally the stone fruits poke through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Toast, smoke, peat, leather, rye bread, black pepper, lemon zest, apricots, sea salt, hints of roast beef.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, chalky, cool.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Peat, leather, soot, tobacco leaf, lemon zest, apricots, peaches, diesel exhaust.
Finish: Long. Soot, peaches, peat, leather, apricots, lemon zest.
Comments:
Smoky, citrusy, less fruity than the others perhaps. There’s a lot of soot and bitter ashy flavours here. There’s finish is long and smoky, and finally the stone fruits poke through.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road 15yo Original
Hellyers Road 15yo Original
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, cinnamon, white grapes, gooseberries, nutmeg, apricots, green tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. White grapes, honeydew melons, peaches, nutmeg, toast, cookie dough, photocopy paper, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Rye bread, photocopy paper, gooseberries, peaches, honeydew melons.
Comments:
The characteristic overripe fruit notes are here, alongside the peppery rye bread, but there’s also feinty notes of green tea and photocopy paper. Some slight smoke is present too.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Honeydew melons, cinnamon, white grapes, gooseberries, nutmeg, apricots, green tea.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, volatile, mouth coating.
Tasting: Sour sweet. White grapes, honeydew melons, peaches, nutmeg, toast, cookie dough, photocopy paper, rye bread.
Finish: Long. Rye bread, photocopy paper, gooseberries, peaches, honeydew melons.
Comments:
The characteristic overripe fruit notes are here, alongside the peppery rye bread, but there’s also feinty notes of green tea and photocopy paper. Some slight smoke is present too.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road Journeyman (Bourbon and Port Casks)
Hellyers Road Journeyman (Bourbon and Port Casks)
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cookie dough, fresh cut grass, apricots, white grapes, apples, orange blossom, hints of desiccated coconut, hints of dried strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Limes, lemon zest, orange blossom, apricots, cookie dough, rye bread, hints of white pepper, hints of dried strawberries.
Finish: Medium. Apricots, white pepper, malted grains, limes, orange blossom.
Comments:
12 years in bourbon casks and 5 years in port casks, so there’s a component in this that’s a fair age. Tangy and sweet, lots of citrus fruits. Through it all there are big notes of rye bread and apricots. Well integrated, estery notes seem to be the distillery characteristic! Very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Golden
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Cookie dough, fresh cut grass, apricots, white grapes, apples, orange blossom, hints of desiccated coconut, hints of dried strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Limes, lemon zest, orange blossom, apricots, cookie dough, rye bread, hints of white pepper, hints of dried strawberries.
Finish: Medium. Apricots, white pepper, malted grains, limes, orange blossom.
Comments:
12 years in bourbon casks and 5 years in port casks, so there’s a component in this that’s a fair age. Tangy and sweet, lots of citrus fruits. Through it all there are big notes of rye bread and apricots. Well integrated, estery notes seem to be the distillery characteristic! Very good whisky indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 10yo Oloroso de Jerez
Hellyers Road 10yo Oloroso de Jerez
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh cut grass, bamboo shoots, cookie dough, cinnamon, cloves, orange blossom, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Orange juice, orange blossom, raspberry jam, cloves, malted grains, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange juice, orange blossom, pear drops, malted grains, hints of apricots.
Comments:
Really orangey whisky! Almost orange opal fruits flavour. It’s still spicy and malty, but there’s peel, blossom and juice of orange galore. Lovely dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Amber
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Fresh cut grass, bamboo shoots, cookie dough, cinnamon, cloves, orange blossom, hints of orange peel.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands, loosens, tingly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Orange juice, orange blossom, raspberry jam, cloves, malted grains, cinnamon, vanilla, hints of pear drops.
Finish: Medium. Orange juice, orange blossom, pear drops, malted grains, hints of apricots.
Comments:
Really orangey whisky! Almost orange opal fruits flavour. It’s still spicy and malty, but there’s peel, blossom and juice of orange galore. Lovely dram.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road 7yo Peated
Hellyers Road 7yo Peated
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale green
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Starfruit, dried strawberries, honeydew melons, orange peel, apricots, malted grains, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, apricots, starfruit, rye bread, peat, honey, leather, hints of smoke.
Finish: Short. Smoke, leather, rye bread, orange peel, malted grains.
Comments:
Very fruity and spicy, with a light lick of smoke. The peat is more prominent here, with earthy notes well integrated with the fruit. The finish is smoky though, with a nice spiciness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale green
46.2% ABV
Dram
Nose: Starfruit, dried strawberries, honeydew melons, orange peel, apricots, malted grains, hints of cinnamon.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, oily, cool, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, apricots, starfruit, rye bread, peat, honey, leather, hints of smoke.
Finish: Short. Smoke, leather, rye bread, orange peel, malted grains.
Comments:
Very fruity and spicy, with a light lick of smoke. The peat is more prominent here, with earthy notes well integrated with the fruit. The finish is smoky though, with a nice spiciness.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road Peated 16yo 2004/2020
Hellyers Road Peated 16yo 2004/2020
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Lime green
61.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, tyre rubber, lavender, sandalwood, peat, lemon zest, hints of white grapes. With water, lemon zest, smoke, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Lemon zest, lavender, peat, autumn leaves, peat, smoke, white grapes, potting soil, malted grains, starfruit. With water, smoke, apricots, starfruit, chillies, hints of potting soil.
Finish: Long. Peat, potting soil, starfruit, lavender, hints of sandalwood.
Comments:
Cask 4082.01. Very floral, wreathed through heaps of smoke. Earthiness predominates on the tongue, actual earth this time. But there’s plenty of fruit and malt buried underneath.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Lime green
61.7% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, tyre rubber, lavender, sandalwood, peat, lemon zest, hints of white grapes. With water, lemon zest, smoke, apricots.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, astringent, hot, tingly.
Tasting: Bitter sour. Lemon zest, lavender, peat, autumn leaves, peat, smoke, white grapes, potting soil, malted grains, starfruit. With water, smoke, apricots, starfruit, chillies, hints of potting soil.
Finish: Long. Peat, potting soil, starfruit, lavender, hints of sandalwood.
Comments:
Cask 4082.01. Very floral, wreathed through heaps of smoke. Earthiness predominates on the tongue, actual earth this time. But there’s plenty of fruit and malt buried underneath.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Hellyers Road Dark Harmony IPA Cask
Hellyers Road Dark Harmony IPA Cask
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Dark amber
53.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, diesel exhaust, tobacco leaf, cloves, dark chocolate, sea salt, hints of toffee. With water, rubber bands, tyre rubber, tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter. Diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, toffee, burnt sugar, lemon zest, tyre rubber, cloves, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, dark chocolate, walnut skins, starfruit, smoke, fresh cut grass.
Finish: Medium. Cloves, diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, tyre rubber.
Comments:
Very smoky, sooty and fragrant. Water brings out more sulphurous notes and a little bit of sweetness. Still, the smoke predominates, and the finish is sooty and herbal.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Dark amber
53.5% ABV
Dram
Nose: Smoke, diesel exhaust, tobacco leaf, cloves, dark chocolate, sea salt, hints of toffee. With water, rubber bands, tyre rubber, tobacco leaf.
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, volatile, astringent, hot.
Tasting: Bitter. Diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, toffee, burnt sugar, lemon zest, tyre rubber, cloves, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, dark chocolate, walnut skins, starfruit, smoke, fresh cut grass.
Finish: Medium. Cloves, diesel exhaust, smoke, tobacco leaf, tyre rubber.
Comments:
Very smoky, sooty and fragrant. Water brings out more sulphurous notes and a little bit of sweetness. Still, the smoke predominates, and the finish is sooty and herbal.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road Aurora Australis
Hellyers Road Aurora Australis
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Yellow, hints of green
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Tyre rubber, fresh cut grass, peaches, apricots, white grapes, dried strawberries, peat, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Tyre rubber, orange peel, orange blossom, peaches, white grapes, malted grains, rye bread, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Short. Rye bread, tyre rubber, black pepper, orange peel, orange blossom.
Comments:
Rubbery, sulphurous, but lots of dried fruit and more than a little smoke. The dried, almost fermented fruit notes are probably a result of the long fermentation times, and they’re really luscious and rich.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Yellow, hints of green
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Tyre rubber, fresh cut grass, peaches, apricots, white grapes, dried strawberries, peat, hints of smoke.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, mouth coating, expands.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Tyre rubber, orange peel, orange blossom, peaches, white grapes, malted grains, rye bread, hints of mushrooms.
Finish: Short. Rye bread, tyre rubber, black pepper, orange peel, orange blossom.
Comments:
Rubbery, sulphurous, but lots of dried fruit and more than a little smoke. The dried, almost fermented fruit notes are probably a result of the long fermentation times, and they’re really luscious and rich.
Verdict:
I like this.
Hellyers Road Roaring Forties
Hellyers Road Roaring Forties
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, dried strawberries, white pepper, fresh baked bread, malted grains, white wine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, white wine, malted grains, hoppy beer, white pepper, rye bread, hints of vanilla.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, vanilla, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Fruity, malty malt, lots of fermented flavours, including a quite unique note of dried strawberries. On the tongue it’s quite bitter, even beery, and there’s a peppery tang of rye bread.
Verdict:
I like this.
Official bottling
Single malt - Tasmania
Pale gold
40% ABV
Dram
Nose: Peaches, dried strawberries, white pepper, fresh baked bread, malted grains, white wine.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm.
Tasting: Bitter sweet. Dried strawberries, white wine, malted grains, hoppy beer, white pepper, rye bread, hints of vanilla.
Finish: Medium. White pepper, vanilla, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, hints of peaches.
Comments:
Fruity, malty malt, lots of fermented flavours, including a quite unique note of dried strawberries. On the tongue it’s quite bitter, even beery, and there’s a peppery tang of rye bread.
Verdict:
I like this.
Thursday, 17 April 2025
Starward 5yo 2019/2024
Starward 5yo 2019/2024
#14, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Victoria
Red
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Chocolate, raisins, strawberry jam, magic marker, fresh baked bread, vanilla, white pepper. With water, strawberry jam, raisins, chocolate, hints of golden syrup.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, loosens, hot.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Strawberry jam, blackcurrant cordial, white pepper, fresh baked bread, raisins, apricot jam, hints of marzipan, hints of brown butter. With water, raisins, marzipan, golden syrup, hints of brown butter.
Finish: Long. Strawberry jam, magic marker, marzipan, white pepper, blackcurrant cordial.
Comments:
Another red wine cask with high ABV, lots of fruit notes, but here it’s deeper, with flavours of butter and nuts. It takes water well, the buttery notes become more forward and intense. Very nice indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
#14, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Victoria
Red
55% ABV
Dram
Nose: Chocolate, raisins, strawberry jam, magic marker, fresh baked bread, vanilla, white pepper. With water, strawberry jam, raisins, chocolate, hints of golden syrup.
Mouthfeel: Light body, volatile, loosens, hot.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Strawberry jam, blackcurrant cordial, white pepper, fresh baked bread, raisins, apricot jam, hints of marzipan, hints of brown butter. With water, raisins, marzipan, golden syrup, hints of brown butter.
Finish: Long. Strawberry jam, magic marker, marzipan, white pepper, blackcurrant cordial.
Comments:
Another red wine cask with high ABV, lots of fruit notes, but here it’s deeper, with flavours of butter and nuts. It takes water well, the buttery notes become more forward and intense. Very nice indeed.
Verdict:
I like this a lot.
Starward 6yo 2018/2024
Starward 6yo 2018/2024
#15, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Victoria
Red
54% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry laces, cherry blossom, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, black pepper, hints of raspberry jam. With water, malted grains, black pepper, cherry blossom.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, volatile.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, blackcurrant cordial, cherry blossom, vanilla, cola nuts, fresh baked bread, mint, hints of raspberry jam. With water, blackcurrant cordial, black pepper, hints of coffee.
Finish: Medium. Blackcurrant cordial, raspberry jam, strawberry laces, cherry blossom, mint.
Comments:
High ABV red wine cask, usually a recipe for disaster but in this case, it makes a very floral sweet whisky. Lots of interaction between the wood and the spirit, creating fruity and vanilla notes. Complex and layered.
Verdict:
I like this.
#15, The Heart Cut
Single malt - Victoria
Red
54% ABV
Dram
Nose: Strawberry laces, cherry blossom, fresh baked bread, lemon zest, black pepper, hints of raspberry jam. With water, malted grains, black pepper, cherry blossom.
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, volatile.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Lemon zest, blackcurrant cordial, cherry blossom, vanilla, cola nuts, fresh baked bread, mint, hints of raspberry jam. With water, blackcurrant cordial, black pepper, hints of coffee.
Finish: Medium. Blackcurrant cordial, raspberry jam, strawberry laces, cherry blossom, mint.
Comments:
High ABV red wine cask, usually a recipe for disaster but in this case, it makes a very floral sweet whisky. Lots of interaction between the wood and the spirit, creating fruity and vanilla notes. Complex and layered.
Verdict:
I like this.
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