6 Australian Whiskies You Need To Try
By Chilled Magazine
We’re kicking off our Around The World In Whiskey program with the creative distillers of Australia!
With so many stunning whisky options coming out of Australia, it was hard to choose which bottles to share. Two of the bottles on this list are currently un-available in the US, but if you ever find yourself with the chance to try them, don’t miss the opportunity.
Starward Two-Fold Double Grain Australian Whisky
Affordable, approachable, and wildly enjoyable, Starward’s Two-Fold expression uses a blend of two Australian grains–malted barley and dry wheat. The spirit is then aged in barrels selected from a range of local vineyards who specialize in cabernet, pinot noir, or shiraz. Some barrels are charred, others steamed, and some are still damp with wine when the spirit is added. After aging the dynamic spirit has a nose of bright red berries, with butter, vanilla, and spice. On the palate you’ll find a smooth, rich, caramel dessert profile with tropical fruit and a delicate, long finish.
Timboon Single Malt Whisky Port Expression
Currently only available in Australia, Timboon’s Port Expression is a must try on any visit. Aged in charred new-make port barrels the soft gold hued spirit opens with aromas of caramel, butter scotch, oak, red berries, chocolate, and honey. The brand is inspired by the single malts of Scotland and uses many of the same traditions and methods.
Hellyers Road Distillery Single Malt Original 15 Year
For the last three years Hellyers Road has won awards at the World Whiskey Awards. The original 15-year expression is vatted and married in timber casks before being non-chill filtered. On the nose you’ll find notes of citrus and vanilla with a calming softness that leads to waves of vanilla across the palate.
Lark Wolf Release IV
The Wolf release has a bit of an interesting story behind it. Lark Distillery sends whisky casks to Victoria’s Wolf of the Willows Brewery who then use the barrels for their Johnny Smoke Porter, the barrels are then sent back to age the Wolf Release. The nose of this unique whiskey opens with bright citrus and toasted coconut followed by caramelized malt, grapefruit, cocoa powder, and oak. On the palate you’ll find syrupy hints of orange, grapefruit, smoked malt, ancient oak, toffee and dark chocolate.
Sullivans Cove American Oak Single Cask Whisky
A strong malt backbone fortifies this award-winning whisky. The expression is aged in 200L American oak ex-bourbon casks with each cask creating its own bottling. Each batch creates its own unique characteristics making a bottle to bottle comparison into an interesting study. In general, you’ll find malt, vanilla, white flowers, and wood on the nose with caramel, pound cake and apricots on the palate.
Young Henry Ramblin Man Australian Single Malt Whisky
Another Australia Exclusive worth mentioning, this 18-year aged expression from Young Henry is a standout. The expression was first distilled and bottled in Tasmania in 2000 before being finished in Australian Apera Sherry Casks in 2016 then bottled in 2018. On the nose you’ll find notes of pekoe tea, orange zest, burnt brown sugar, raisin, walnut, honey, citrus, and vanilla custard. The palate shows notes of sweet, malty cereal, orange marmalade, French oak, and chewy caramel.