Double Black (Gate) — Aussie Style
Summer is almost here (although I think we’ve already had a pretty serious preview) and it’s that time of year when people work a little less than usual and often drink a little more than usual with friends, family and colleagues (or disapproving partners watching on). Nothing helps as get in the festive mood quite as much as some homegrown Whisky — the latest batch to fall into our clutches were….
Starward Two Fold
Blended Australian Whisky
700ml, 40% ABV
Owner: Starward Distillery
Definitely the most hyped and talked about local release this year, which is no surprise as Starward are involved. A lot of chatter and information filtering out about this but what is not at dispute is its a blend of grain whisky from Manildra and Malt Whisky from Starward, matured in red wine barrels and released in volume at ~$65 for 700mL @ 40% ABV. Definitely a play for mass market and back bar appeal, all we can say is well played! (and what’s next?) :P
Nose: None of the typical banana we’ve come to know and love from Starward, but a delicate nose of pineapples and vanilla pods with nary a hint of alcohol ‘burn’ to assail the nostrils. Rewards repeated nosings with a sweet crystalised paw paw note.
Palate: Full disclosure — we love abusing our taste buds here at TWL with a lot (possibly too much) of cask strength and peated whisky featuring on heavy rotataion. Being bottled at 40% and having a decent grain whisky component has meant we have had to try this a few times to bring you our thoughts (the sacrifices we make!). The red wine influence is evident in the finish which is drying (but not overly so) which is nice complement to the sweet, delicate tropical fruits, sandalwood and a very light and creamy texture. Not necessarily recommended for thrill seekers but an excellent introduction for newer whisky drinkers or more experienced drinkers who just want a sessionable whisky.
Black Gate BG054
Single Malt Australian Whisky
500ml, 63.7% ABV
Owner: Black Gate Distillery
Next we have the sophomore peated release from Black Gate. 171 Bottles this time around from a Sherry barrel filled July 2016 and decanted and bottled in October 2018. I’ll admit I was a little sad when Brian (the distiller) said all production moving forward would be heavily peated but with releases like this and the #55 it’s hard to argue.
Nose: Very reminiscent of the #55 but with a bit more complexity with the fruit cake notes being more distinct from the dark golden syrup notes. Smoke is also slightly more prevalent on the nose but still remarkably restrained considering the palate.
Palate: The most Islay-like Aussie whisky I’ve experienced to date. Rich christmas cake smothered over what tastes like a mid-teens, cask strength Caol Ila. Soot and creosote and bonfire in an oily, boozy aussie boiled plum pudding. Amazing stuff and belies its years (2!). Smoke remains and the presence of the fruits linger ending up leaving a sweet black tea note and the need for another…
Black Gate BG030
Single Malt Australian Whisky
500ml, 53.1% ABV
Owner: Black Gate Distillery
The most recent release from Black Gate produced in what must surely be THE town that punches most above its weight in terms of whisky output (quality and quantity!), Mendooran. An unpeated expression this time, filled in June 2015 into a Sherry barrel before decanting and bottling in October 2018 yielding 200 bottles.
Nose: Super fruity (red fruits — Cranberries and Raspberries predominately), a strong hit of malt biscuits, a hint of well used farm machinery (diesel, grease, grass) and an enticing sweetness — somewhere between freshly chewed red frogs and peach ice tea.
Palate: Raspberry/plum jam on buttered oatcake with a hint of Lilly-Pilly on the back palate followed by a super rich, enveloping treacle finish which slides down the back and stays with you for ages…
Iniquity — Batch 13
Single Malt Australian Whisky
700ml/200ml, 46% ABV
Owner: Tin Shed Distillery
It’s always with welcoming arms that a new Iniquity release is greeted at TWL HQ. Batch 13 was unleashed on the world a couple of weeks ago and is the first Iniquity that has been ‘finished’. Finishing is when a whisky or whiskies are removed from their original barrels and placed in a different cask or casks to impart differing characteristics and flavours on the whisky. In this case a mix Port and Sherry aged whisky finished in a French oak Chardonnay cask for 12 months.
Nose: A lot more savoury notes this time around vs the more caramel/fruit forward Batch 12 retaining the common thread of eucalypt/pine, which is joined by a strong black gum honey note, barely ripe stone fruits (peach/plum) and (probably auto-suggestion) a high, dry white wine note.
Palate: So much going on in this one — plenty of herbaceous-ness (presenting as sage, mint and a hint of rosemary), a less ‘full-on’ Iniquity malt/caramel double act than normal with more astringent fruits like fresh picked apricots harvested a couple of days before fully ripe. Finish is reminiscent of the feeling of having finished a good bottle of Chardonnay. I can see quite a few afternoons over summer finishing on this.
Cheers,
The Whisky List
