Sullivans Cove Whisky is an award winning single malt, and when your whisky wins the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards, you can expect to pack a full house at an industry wine event.
Sullivans Cove Whisky – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
Speaking at a masterclass held at the annual 3 Winos event, Sullivans Cove Marketing Manager, Bert Cason had a captive audience, everyone eagerly awaiting a tasting of the entire Sullivans Cove whisky range.
With a production the size of 20,000 bottles per year, Sullivans Cove whisky in Tasmania started in the 90s and uses a process that is closest to the Scotch whisky production as possible. The whiskies are made with quality barley from Tasmania. Brewing barley from Cascade is used and the process starts with Cascade Pale Ale brewed at 7%.
All Sullivans Cove whiskies are non-chill filtered, and all three expressions on taste were 13 YO.
Sullivans Cove Double Cask (40% ABV Batch DC 71) is a good entry level whisky, one that is easy drinking and appeals to newcomers. Bottled at 40% ABV, it was introduced as a way to keep the cost down. The whisky is aged in 40% French Oak and 60% American Oak. On the nose, there is soft fruit, ripe pears, honey and vanilla. Soft on the palate with notes of honey, ripe pears, chocolate, caramel and vanilla. Smooth and fruity, the finish is medium with hints of chocolate.
Sullivans Cove American Oak Cask (47.5% ABV Barrel HH0460) is matured in American ex-Bourbon barrels. Light straw colour, it has malt and spice on the nose with subtle nutty characters. Creamy on the palate with orchard fruit and vanilla, there is a hint of spice and some caramel on the back palate. The finish is honeyed and long.
Almost rum-like in flavour, Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask (47% ABV Barrel HH0381) is matured in port casks from McWilliams Wines in NSW which impart a darker colour on the whisky. The World’s Best Single Malt Whisky has a nose of caramel, rich dark chocolate, hints of cinnamon and orange peel. On the palate, it’s smooth, rich and sweet with flavours of toffee, chocolate and raisins. The finish is long and lingering with dried fruit and dark chocolate.
So what is next on the cards for Sullivans Cove? We can expect an aged statement in 2015, a 15 YO whisky aged in American oak, and possibly some experimental releases with Muscat and brandy barrel finishes.
This article was originally published on August 14, 2014 on our sister website Gourmantic.
