An interview with Sullivans Cove Distillery Manager Heather Tillott, and a tasting of two new releases (Tasted #706 - 707)

It's been a big few weeks for Sullivans Cove - not only have they recently announced, for the first time, a cask strength version of the French Oak (at 17 years, no less - ballot open now), along with a French Oak Apera at nearly 10 years old (sold out), they've also just won a World Whiskies Awards "World's Best" for the fourth time - this time for World's Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky.

Following their now-legendary 2014 win (and subsequent wins in 2018 and 2019) it was French Oak White Wine Old & Rare TD0112 which took home the award this time, beating out 23 other single cask single malt country-winners to take home the prize.

As if that wasn't enough though, the distillery also took home two further "Icons of Whisky" awards for its people, with Distillery Manager Heather Tillott winning the "Innovator Manager of the Year" award, and Warehouse Manager Marcelo Viapiana winning "Global Warehouse Manager of the Year.

 

It seemed then, like a suitable time to post an interview I held with Heather Tillott last year, when I was lucky enough to join the distillery in celebrating their 25 Year Old whisky milestone.

Martin: 25 years is an incredible achievement for Australian Whisky, but these were distilled at a time when that wasn’t necessarily the goal. 25 years on from that time, has the view towards long-term maturation changed in Australian Whisky and how does Sullivans Cove look at this in particular? Might we see even older Sullivan’s Cove releases in the coming years or decades?

Heather: Quite correct - the goal when these casks were laid down wasn’t to reach 25! The good people in that era of Sullivans were experimenting and learning what it meant to make whisky in Tasmania at that time, and we are very lucky to be able to continue with the work they did so many years ago.

25 years on at Sullivans, we’ve learnt a lot about how to craft spirit that is suited to a variety of ages, and how to nurture casks through the years in order to enable the greatest expressions of each cask to come to life.

While many distilleries founded in more recent years simply haven’t had the time to explore longer term aging, it’s only a matter of time. And while it’s not about an arms race to the highest age statement whisky, it’s also only a matter of time before we see even older Sullivans releases, as this is the nature of the bondstore… Time keeps on moving!

Martin: Since taking over production, how closely did you and your team need to monitor these two casks, or provide any active intervention (eg moving them around the bond store) - to ensure they remained “whisky”, but also didn’t get overpowered by oak and retained the quality Sullivans Cove drinkers expect?

Heather: Very closely. Old spirit can be quite fragile, and so extra care and attention is very important. They’ve both had moves about the bondstores, and both have had a gentle dilution during their maturation. This is an old technique used in Cognac and Scotch to gently reduce proof strength, thus enabling a softer maturation and ensuring the balance of oak remains.

Martin: In recent years as it became clear these tasks would reach 25 years, was 25 years the goal, or were they deemed “ready” (by a tasting panel) then, and it just happened to be at a nice round 25 years?

Heather: We allow each of our casks to tell us when they are ready! It’s a rollercoaster of emotions at times, with some casks in particular, but the end result is a wonderful collaboration of people, place and produce… After all, whisky is a product of agriculture, which means people and place! Thus, we didn’t have a particular age in mind for these two- they both came right on the same tasting panel on the 6th of May. We have a nautical bell which we ring when we decide to decant a cask, it’s in the distillery for all to hear… The bell rang twice that morning.

Martin: As the person responsible for production at  a world-renowned distillery on an island famed for its pristine environment, what is the most important sustainability initiative the Australian whisky industry needs to adopt today to ensure its long-term viability?

Heather: There’s a number of really important environmental initiatives in the operational discussion – irrigation in the field, a move toward organic practices, heat recovery systems in the brewhouse and distillery, co-product relationships with local farmers, sourcing casks closer to home (i.e., Australian wine casks!), etc. And there’s also the equally important considerations in the sustainability conversation around the people and business systems that keep the heartbeat of the industry. There is a range of scale and operations in Australian whisky, with many in the micro space; for us to ensure long-term viability we need an industry which supports all levels of scale, healthy workplaces, healthy businesses, as well as a care for our environment.

Martin: Given your background in winemaking, what's a lesson or technical philosophy you carried with you from the vineyard to the distillery?

Heather: The best advice I’ve ever received was from the world of wine… “Get out of the way.” I.e., don’t try to force the product to be a certain way. Tread gently, get out of the way, and let the magic blossom. It’s the duende!

Martin: Last but not least, it’s been a long day and you reach for something to unwind. Is it wine or whisky?

Heather: At the end of a long day, I like to revisit older bottlings of Sullivans, or high-ester rum. Both hold time to ransom for a while for me – there is nowhere to be other than the moment.

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Sullivans Cove 17 Year Old French Oak Cask Strength (Cask TD0297 (63.1% ABV, Single Malt, 17yo, 1 of 343 bottles, Tasmania, Australia, $2,500AUD)
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Colour: Dark Amber-gold

Nose: Big and robust notes of Blackberries mixed with an old dunnage warehouse.

Palate: Super viscous, with notes of gooey caramel, cigar box, a slight salinity and some meatier notes. There's some fruitier notes too - mature oranges and some berries.

Finish: Long and warming, with toasted oak and caramel chews.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 93/100 (Martin). Given what this cask strength expression gives us in the way of flavour and complexity, hopefully this won't be the last CS release we see from the distillery! Delicious.

Sullivans Cove 9 Year Old French Oak Cask Strength (Cask TD0820 (47.6% ABV, Single Malt, 9yo, 1 of 260 bottles, Tasmania, Australia, $550AUD - sold out)
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Colour: Dark Orange-gold

Nose: Coffee grounds, toffee, fresh oak, flamed oranges and a hint of Eucalyptus.

Palate: Oily, with initial notes of honey, marmalade, and an underlying grassy spearmint. Notes of old oak round things out, but on the whole it's fresh, vibrant and has a lot going on.

Finish: Long and fresh, with the grassy-minty note continuing alongside orange and warming oak.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 91/100 (Martin). I was expecting it to be a tasty dram, but wasn't expecting this much complexity. That was a pleasant surprise.

A big thanks to Heather for her time, and the distillery team for the samples.

 

Cheers,

Martin.

Tasted #705: Indri Agneya Single Malt Indian Whisky

It's hard to believe it's been 11 years this year, but in 2015 I visited Amrut Distillery for what was (still, to this day) the most in-depth distillery tour I've ever taken. Over many hours I got an incredibly in-depth look into every facet of Amrut's production, directly from the man responsible for making "Indian Single Malt" a thing, Surrinder Kumar.

In 2019 Surrinder however moved to Piccadily Agro Industries Limited, and subsequently launched what is now India's #1 selling single malt, Indri. We've featured Indri a few times on the blog, praising both their "Trini" in 2022 and Diwali Collector's Edition & Founder's Reserve last year. When Piccadily reached out offering a bottle of their latest "Agneya", matured in a mix of ex-Sherry and ex-Bourbon casks, I wasn't about to say no!

  

Derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “belonging to fire", Agneya is said to be a lightly-peated dram, non-chill filtered and with no added colour.

So without further ado...

Indria "Agneya" (46% ABV, Single Malt, NAS, Haryana, India, $104.99AUD, £46.25)
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Colour: Golden copper

Nose: Dried fig, raisins and a big hit of ginger. There are subtle hints of smoke (woodfired / BBQ smoke), along with some oak, spice and a little varnish. Quite a bit going on!

Palate: Stays true to the nose, with more chocolate, a little floral hint, some banana, woodsmoke & burnt orange peel

Finish: Long, with residual subtle woodfire smoke, salted chocolate and soft warming spices.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 90/100 (Martin). Another great dram from Indri.

Cheers,

Martin.

Hellyers Road Aged 22 Years, 21 Years & 12 Years (Tasted #702 - 704)

Happy New Year! Hope you all managed to get some downtime over the holiday period (hopefully with a dram or two in hand).

We're back into it for 2026, kicking off where we left off, with a few more Australian whiskies...

My two trips to Tassie last year (after a 17 year absence) gave me a great opportunity to get back into the Aussie whisky scene I’d been away from for so long - to try a bunch of new distilleries, rediscover old ones, and to connect and re-connect with some great whisky folk in Tassie.

One of those people was Mark from Whisky is my Jam - arguably one of the most knowledgable, passionate and connected people in all of Tasmanian whisky, and also a genuinely great bloke.

On a few occasions Mark took me through a range of Tassie whiskies - some I was experiencing for the first time, and some I hadn't tried in over a decade. In the latter camp was Hellyers Road, which in a "full circle" kind of moment was actually the very first two whiskies I ever wrote about on this blog (over 13 years ago)!

Mark put me in touch with David from Sales & Promotions at the distillery (someone I'd been following on IG for years), who was kind enough to send me a few well-aged samples to re-acquaint myself further. Included were:

• American Oak Aged 22 Years cask #2325.03 (80 bottles, full maturation, 56.5% ABV)
• World Whiskies Awards 2025 Best Australian Single Malt winner Peated Cask Finish Aged 21 Years Cask #20F05C01 (301 bottles, 17 years in ex-Bourbon then 4 years in an ex-peated Hellyers Road cask, 52.5% ABV)
• World Whiskies Awards 2022 Best Australian Single Malt winner American Oak Aged 12 Years (fully matured in 1st Fill ex-Bourbon casks, 46.2%)

Let's dig in...

 

Hellyers Road American Oak Aged 22 Years (Cask #2325.03) (56.5% ABV, Single Malt, 22yo, 1 of 80 bottles, Tasmania, Australia, $1,450AUD)
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Colour: Amber sunset.

Nose: Big and complex - orange / citrus notes and perfume, with some slight hints of peach, treacle and oak.

Palate: Immediate zesty orange peel, followed up by whole orange slices. Some oak spice & marmalade, ginger, and a slight grassy herbaceousness. It's complex, and it all works well. 

Finish: Long, marmalade, stone fruits.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 92/100 (Martin). 

Hellyers Road Peated Cask Finish Aged 21 Years (Cask #20F05C01) (52.5% ABV, Single Malt, 21yo, 1 of 301 bottles, Tasmania, Australia, $1,350AUD)
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Colour: Golden sunset

Nose: Keeps the citrus oil and perfume of the 22yo, but with a subtle underlying campfire note, and more tropical notes (passionfruit mostly).

Palate: The peat smoke is more pronounced on the palate, but the passionfruit and oranges (whole) are there too, in perfect harmony.

Finish: Residual BBQ smoky meatiness, with some final orange zest. Long and lingering.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 92/100 (Martin). Peated cask finishes sometimes don't work too well, but I'm glad to say in this case it works very nicely.

 

Hellyers Road American Oak Aged 12 Years (46.2% ABV, Single Malt, 12yo, Tasmania, Australia, $260AUD)
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Colour: Light golden sunset.

Nose: Bubblegum and Juicyfruit, orange oil, oaked passionfruit

Palate: Follows the nose, with big citrus oil notes, passionfruit, chocolate orange, hints of cinnamon, strawberries and a slight savoury note.

Finish: Long, with a lovely citrus zest that lingers.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 89/100 (Martin). Complex and tasting - wonderful to see how far the spirit has come over the years.

It was great to revisit the distillery that I kicked off this blog with all those years ago, and even better to see the spirit come so far in that time. Thanks Mark for the intro and David for the generous samples.

Cheers,

Martin.

An unforgettable Tassie trip to taste the oldest ever Australian Whiskies [Tasted #700 - 701]

Recently I was one of a fortunate few invited by Sullivans Cove to visit the distillery for the launch of the oldest ever Australian whiskies - the new 25 Year Old single cask Sullivans Coves we announced recently. 

This not really being the sort of thing you say "no" to, I found myself on a Wednesday night heading down to Hobart (staying at the incredibly unique "story-telling" Macq01 hotel, appropriately situated next to Sullivans Cove - the Cove, not the distillery) ahead of the main event on Thursday evening - having just visited 2 weeks earlier on a personal trip, my first time in Tasmania since 2008!

Held at the stunningly renovated distillery in Cambridge, the event brought together makers, writers, whisky lovers and fans of craft and quality for an in-depth discussion into Australian whisky, Sullivans Cove, whisky production, flavour, ingredients, chemistry, the industry, and everything in-between. 

Kicking off with a welcome highball and canapés, guests chatted in the distillery's bar before heading into the private tasting room where our host for the evening was Distillery Manager Heather Tillot (who better than the person responsible for the spirit being produced today, nearing 10 years with the distillery?)

For the next few hours Heather covered all aspects of Sullivans Cove - it's history, future, production nuances, spirit character, and with guests including wine writers and chefs, the questions were varied, considered and prompted fascinating discussion, all with a trio of single cask Sullivans Coves in-hand (the 18yo French Oak from a refill cask, full maturating, was a particular highlight for me).

After a while though, it was time to grab a glass and head into the distillery for a tour, where the discussion continued over a walk through of the mashing, fermenting and distilling processes.

 

Back in our seats, it was time for the main reason we were all gathered - to taste the pair of 25 Year Olds. 

Thoughtfully prepared in two different glass types (a 1920s Blender's Glass for HH0010, alongside a Riedel Veritas for HH0056, with Glencairns on the side should we wish to compare), each dram was accompanied by details on each bottling, as follows:

• Cask HH0010 - 25 Year Old Refill American Oak (300L). 12/10/1999 - 6/5/2025. 47.8% ABV, 349 bottles, $4,500AUD (by ballot or via The Whisky Club.

• Cask HH0056 - 25 Year Old American Oak ex-Bourbon (200L). 16/11/1999 - 6/5/2025. 47.6% ABV. 134 bottles. $4,500AUD (by invitation only) 

Sullivans Cove 25 Year Old American Oak Ex-Bourbon (Cask HH0056) (47.6% ABV, Single Malt, 25yo, 1 of 134 bottles, Tasmania, Australia, $4,500AUD)
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Colour: Medium orange golden.

Nose: Citrus / orange oil, with an undertone of dunnage warehouse "funk" (in a good way). Maple syrup, coconut oak, and vanilla milk chocolate.

Palate: Initially, big funky warehouse notes. I'm immediately reminded of the Aussie whiskies I remember tasting back in 2008, 2009. There's a toasted, bread note too, apricot and more citrus. After a good 20-30min, other notes emerge as the aforementioned notes recede into the background - aged oranges, berries, fruit spice, and even some hints of passionfruit.

Finish: Follows the palate faithfully, long and moreish, with tropical hints at the very end.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 94/100 (Martin). The years have done wonders for this whisky - it's clearly Australian, but with complexity and nuance you don't often see.

Sullivans Cove 25 Year Old American Oak Refill (Cask HH0010) (47.8% ABV, Single Malt, 25yo, 1 of 349 bottles, Tasmania, Australia, $4,500AUD)
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Colour: Deep orange.

Nose: Slight warehouse funk, but more stone fruits, earthiness, and orange peels. After time, more citrus emerges - mandarin and tangerine. 

Palate: Mango, spice and just a hint of old, well-rested oak. Rich and viscous, the age and complexity is clearly evident. The slight earthiness from the nose carries through to the palate, and works well in harmony with the other notes.

Finish: Also follows the palate well, equally long, with delightful tropical hints at the very end.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 93/100 (Martin). Less "overtly Australian" than the HH0056, but every bit as complex and delicious. When this cask was laid down in 1999, 25 years clearly wasn't the goal, but I'm very glad that's how things turned out!

 

With the main event over, it was time to head to the bar to taste some of the many Sullivans Cove releases released over the previous years, that I'd missed out on trying due to living overseas. That included last year's 24 year old (closer in style to HH0056 I found, but with more dried fruit from the Apera maturation), the "dumpy" 21 (delightful), an LMDW Indie and more.

A huge thanks to the distillery for allowing us to be part of this momentous occasion in Australian whisky.

Cheers,

Martin.

TimeforWhisky.com flew to and stayed in Hobart courtesy of Sullivans Cove. 

Sullivans Cove releases Australia's First 25 Year Old Whisky (twice)

Absolutely HUGE news in Australian Whisky today, as Sullivans Cove release not one, but TWO 25 Year Old Australian whiskies - the oldest Australian whiskies ever released. A huge achievement and milestone for the Aussie whisky industry - and new world whisky in general.

Both from single casks laid down in 1999, HH0056 was matured in a 200L ex-Bourbon American Oak barrel, and yielded only 154 bottles at 47.6% ABV, available via invitation only.

HH0010 was matured in a larger 300L Refill American Oak barrel, and yielded 349 bottles at 47.8% ABV, to be available via ballot (and via The Whisky Club).

  

Given most new world whisky distilleries weren’t even around 25 years ago (and the climate in many such locations aren’t as conducive to long maturation as they may be in Scotland), 25 years is an impressive feat.

“To see two of our casks mature out to 25 years is something we did not expect.” said former distillery manager and owner Patrick Maguire, whilst CEO Andy Gaunt noted “This release is more than just a rare single cask, it’s a living record of our history, proof of what patience and conviction can achieve, and a statement of what world whisky has become.”

Having recently tried a few Sullivans Cove releases around 20-21 years old, I can say they carry every bit as much complexity and flavour as their Scottish counterparts, and I look forward to trying the new 25 Year Olds (which I'll be doing in just a few hours!)

Cheers,
Martin.

Ardbeg Anthology 15 Year Old “The Beithir’s Tale” and the Anthology Series (Tasted #697 - #699)

There’s something about Ardbeg that always manages to capture the imagination. For a distillery that spent much of the 1980s and ’90s mothballed or only partly operational, it’s remarkable how firmly it has established itself as a cult Islay favourite since its revival in 1997. From the release of the mighty Uigeadail in 2003, to annual Ardbeg Day bottlings like Grooves and Drum, to more recent crowd-pleasers like An Oa, there’s always been an energy and playfulness around Ardbeg that matches its whisky’s intensity.

It’s also a distillery with a knack for experimentation. From its iconic pagoda-roofed kiln of a bygone era, to unusual cask finishes, and quirky Committee releases like Alligator and Supernova, Ardbeg have always kept Ardbeggians and fans alike guessing. But behind all the different Ardbeg releases, lies one of the most distinctive spirit characters, medicinal, maritime, oily, and unapologetically peaty. Which is why whenever Ardbeg steps into new cask territory, it’s always fascinating to see how that core DNA holds up — and what new dimensions emerge.

The Anthology Collection, introduced in 2023, set out to explore a “sweeter” side of Ardbeg through three different cask experiments, each inspired by a mythical beast. Having now tasted the full trilogy, it’s clear that each release plays with the smoke-sweetness balance in very different ways. The Harpy’s Tale (13yo, ex-Bourbon and Sauternes) turned out to be the brightest and most elegant, with honeyed apricot sweetness tussling against oily smoke — my pick of the series. The Unicorn’s Tale (14yo, ex-Bourbon and Madeira) veered into sharper, baked-fruit territory, with lime and peach syrup layered over smoke and spice. And finally, the Beithir’s Tale (15yo, bespoke “designer” bourbon casks) felt like the most experimental of the three — vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak richness dialled up over earthy peat.

All bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and adorned with mythical artwork, the Anthology Collection offers three distinct answers to the question: what happens when you let Ardbeg dance with sweetness?

Ardbeg 13 Year Old “The Harpy's Tale” (46% ABV, 13 Years Old, Islay, Scotland, A$240)

The first in the Anthology Collection, The Harpy’s Tale takes classic Ardbeg smoke and weaves it through the lush sweetness of Sauternes wine casks. On paper, the combination feels almost mythical — and in the glass, it doesn’t disappoint. This is a dram that flits between light and dark, sweet and savoury, all while staying unmistakably Ardbeg.

Nose: Immediately oily and herbaceous, with a salty coastal edge — brine and seaweed against the glass. Then comes a fragrant sweetness: lemon peel, honey lozenges, apricots, even a perfumed lift like dried sage leaves on a bonfire. There’s smoke here, but it’s more wispy and perfumed than the full blast you’d expect from Ten or Uigeadail.

Palate: The first sip is a little surprising — grilled capsicum and wood ash lead the charge, before that honey-lemon lozenge sweetness comes surging back through. Layers of treacle and balsamic richness develop (without the sharp acidity), interplaying with drifting bonfire smoke. It’s savoury and sweet in equal measure, with eucalyptus and charred oak lingering towards the back, dusted with peppery spice.

Finish: Long and lingering, with the embers of a fading bonfire and a persistent spiced warmth that keeps drawing you back for another sip. This is my favourite of the collection.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 93/100 (Hendy)

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Ardbeg 14 Year Old “The Unicorn's Tale” (46% ABV, 14 Years Old, Islay, Scotland, A$250)

The second chapter in the Anthology Collection, The Unicorn’s Tale, takes Ardbeg’s smoky DNA and pairs it with Madeira wine casks. Where the Harpy’s Tale offered a honeyed brightness from Sauternes, the Unicorn leans into a baked-fruit richness — sharper, nuttier, and just that little bit wilder. It feels like Ardbeg experimenting with sweetness once again, but from a very different angle.

Nose: Immediately rich and fruity — ripe bananas, even those nostalgic banana lollies, mixed with cinnamon scrolls and sweet wooden smoke. There’s depth too, with treacle and peanut brittle sweetness, underpinned by citrus zest and flashes of tropical guava. The peat is there, but it sits like smoke drifting through a sweet bakery window.

Palate: A surprisingly sweet and zesty arrival. Lime cordial and peach syrup coat the tongue, before warming spices of nutmeg roll in alongside vanilla slice and caramel squares. A sweet, woody undertone keeps the balance, while the spirit feels mouth-coating and almost oily. The smoke builds as it develops, wrapping the sweetness in a gentle haze of bonfire.

Finish: Long and lingering, with smoky citrus peel, plenty of ash, and a cool wave of menthol running through the aftertaste.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 90/100 (Hendy)

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Ardbeg 15 Year Old “The Beithir’s Tale” (46% ABV, 15 Years Old, Islay, Scotland, A$255)

Arguably, the most experimental of the three. The final chapter in the Anthology Collection, The Beithir’s Tale, may just be the boldest of the three. Instead of wine finishes, Ardbeg chose to explore the limits of oak itself, working with bespoke “designer” bourbon casks — air-seasoned, heavily toasted, and lightly charred to specification. Where the Ten shows what classic bourbon casks usually bring to Ardbeg, the Beithir dials it all up a notch: richer vanilla, deeper spice, and toasted sweetness, all mixed with that unmistakable peaty backbone.

Nose: Rich and complex, opening with creme brulee and burnt sugar before a rush of menthol and eucalyptus. Pine needles and fennel add a fresh, herbal edge, while the peat smoke lurks quietly underneath. With time, baked apple pie and sultanas emerge, lending a sweet-fruited counterpoint.

Palate: Zesty and earthy on the palate, quickly becoming richer as blackcurrants, vanilla, and caramel slices coat the palate. The peat smoke undercurrent keeps everything anchored, while layers of citrus (mandarins in particular), black pepper, and a touch of liquorice add depth. It’s mouth-coating and satisfying, striking a balance between sweet oak influence and smoky savouriness.

Finish: Long and defined, leaving smoky embers, liquorice, and lingering spice. A dram that slowly fades.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 91/100 (Hendy)

The Beithir’s Tale feels like the boldest of the three Anthology releases — less about wine finishes, more about cask innovation and the pure interplay between Ardbeg’s spirit and oak. If the Ten is the soul of Ardbeg and Uigeadail its sherried alter-ego, the Anthology series are experimental short stories — each exploring “what if?” scenarios with wood.

The Ardbeg 15 Year Old “The Beithir’s Tale” will be available in Australia from August 26th through the Ardbeg Committee.

Many thanks to the Ardbeg Australia Team for gifting us the new Ardbeg Anthology limited releases.

Cheers,

Hendy

Jack Daniel’s 10yo Batch 4 [Tasted #696]

It’s not often we get to celebrate a historic milestone in American whiskey—let alone one tied to a name as recognisable as Jack Daniel’s. But last night at Newtown’s Pleasure Club (a vibey little venue tucked under the Odd Culture Group banner - though the name did piqued my interest), that’s exactly what we did—celebrating the launch of Jack Daniel’s 10yo, the first age-stated release from the distillery in over 100 years.

Hosted by the ever-charismatic Andy Tsai, Jack Daniel’s Brand Ambassador for Australia, the night blended history, humour, flavour, and some unexpectedly brilliant food pairings—plus a cocktail or two that we wouldn’t mind sipping again.

Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller and grandson of former Master Distiller Frank Bobo, shared a video message to share a bit of background on the release. Chris described this 10yo as a deliberate throwback—crafted using the same mashbill as Old No. 7 (80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye), fermented with the same yeast, and matured for a full decade in toasted and charred new American oak barrels.

Tennessee isn’t exactly known for ageing whiskey for extended periods—not because they can’t, but because the hot summers and huge temperature swings make it hard to strike a balance. Too much time in a warm part of the warehouse and you end up with a wood bomb. Too cool, and the whiskey barely interacts with the oak. So Chris and team carefully moved the barrels around over the 10 years—top to bottom, fast to slow maturation.

Chris likened it to cooking: “At the top, it’s flambe. Down below, it’s a simmer.” That balance is exactly what makes this whiskey so intriguing.

According to Andy, Australia punches well above its weight in the Jack Daniel’s world. We’ve got what’s affectionately referred to as the “Bourbon Belt” where Jack flows freely and loyalty runs deep. Fun fact, Australia is also the #1 global consumer of Jack Daniel’s & Cola RTDs by volume. Safe to say, us Aussie love our Jack.

And that’s exactly why the 10yo made its way here. 

“It’s about bringing a bit of luxury to Australia,” Andy told us. “But not just a few bottles—we want it to be accessible. And yes, we’re expecting a few more. On the night, it's been hinted that the 12, 14yo might make their way here soon. 

To compare and contrast the 10yo, we did a side-by-side tasting with Jack's Old No. 7 along with the newly released Jack Daniel’s 10yo (Batch 4), bottled at 48.5% ABV. Paired with a caramelised apple parfait, the dram opened up beautifully. Rich, viscous, and layered—it delivered everything you’d hope for in a Tennessee whiskey that’s been given time to grow up.

Jack Daniel’s 10yo Batch 4 (48.5% ABV, 10 Years Old, Tennessee, USA, A$150)

This is Jack Daniel’s dialled up and matured with precision—retaining Jack Daniel's DNA but extending it and bringing it into new territory with added weight and richness. A nicely structured Tennessee whiskey.

Nose: Aromatic and layered with dry citrus peel, ripe banana, and crisp green apple upfront. Behind that sits a base of dark chocolate orange, sultana, and toasted oak.

Palate: Mouth-coating and viscous, with a sweet-savoury duality. Notes of salted caramel and orange chocolate on the palate, followed by spiced apple strudel, roasted nuts, and a hint of brine. There’s a warming peppery lift mid-palate, while aniseed and soft charred oak bring depth and balance.

Finish: Lingering with gentle peppermint, soft oak tannins, and a sweet baking spice warmth that stretches on.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 92/100 (Hendy)

This one felt special.

It wasn’t just about releasing an age-stated expression. It was about heritage, craftsmanship, and a reminder that even one of the most iconic whiskey brands in the world can continue to evolve in meaningful, flavourful ways.

We’ve always known Jack Daniel’s could bring the bold, but Jack Daniel’s 10yo proves they can do it with grace and restraint too. Here’s hoping the 12yo, 14yo, and perhaps, even that elusive 21yo, make it to our shores soon.

Until then—cheers to Uncle Jack, cheers to Chris Fletcher, and cheers to the fans who’ve kept this whiskey close to their hearts (and their bars) for over 150 years. 

Thanks to Brown Forman and We Are Different for having us at the launch of Jack Daniel's 10yo.

Cheers

Hendy

A new chapter for TimeforWhisky.com, and a new team member!

Almost 11 years ago, I wrote about moving to Hong Kong, expanding TimeforWhisky.com into Asia, and Hendy joining the team to cover Australia. 2014 was a very different time in the world of whisky, and I was excited to join the burgeoning whisky scene in Hong Kong, at the time still very much in its infancy (Club Qing for example was still a restaurant, and there was only one whisky festival serving Hong Kong).

This was a time when you could still buy age statement Japanese whisky (easily) from any good bottle shop in Japan, a time when Karuizawa, Hanyu, 60s Bowmore and other rare whiskies seemed expensive (but were, looking back, a comparative bargain), when the auction scene hype was only just beginning, and when the phrase "cask investment" didn't invoke thoughts of shady scams.

A different world indeed.

Fast forward 11 years and the whisky world has changed significantly, with TimeforWhisky.com there every step of the way. It's hard to pick a favourite moment from the past 11 years (although the many media trips, including to Scotland (Macallan), Singapore (Bruichladdich), Shenzhen (Suntory) and Taipei (Highland Park) were certainly up there, as was being invited to be one of only 6 people in the Rosebank re-launch video), but ultimately, the thing that made the past 11 years so special was the whisky friends I made along the way. 

...but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and whilst those friendships will remain in perpetuity, my time in Hong Kong has come to a close, as Steph and I have recently moved back to Australia.

That doesn't mean TimeforWhisky.com is ending - far from it! In fact, just like when Hendy continued to run TimeforWhisky.com Australia when I left in 2014, a new team member has joined to continue running TimeforWhisky.com Hong Kong (whilst I re-join the Australian side alongside Hendy). Introducing...Andrew Davis!

A dedicated spirits enthusiast, Andrew is best known as the co-founder of Mezcal Mission, a charitable initiative based at the award-winning Hong Kong bar COA. Through Mezcal Mission, he has not only educated guests about the rich and diverse world of agave spirits but also raised significant funds for local charities.

Andrew’s passion for spirits doesn’t stop at agave. As a panel member for Tequila Matchmaker, he has developed deep expertise in tequila and mezcal, but over the past four years, that passion has expanded into the world of whisky—sparked, in part, by a chance meeting Andrew and I had at one of the first Mezcal Missions. 

Since then, Andrew has become a familiar face in the whisky community (that's him, front-left in the group photo above), continually exploring, tasting, and sharing his insights with fellow enthusiasts.

In his new role covering TimeforWhisky.com HK, Andrew brings his love for storytelling, education, and exceptional spirits to a broader audience. From uncovering rare drams to connecting with the local whisky community, he’ll carry forward our tradition of passion and expertise across Hong Kong, Asia and beyond.

So there you have it. Change, growth, whatever you want to call it - expect to see more coverage from Andrew, Hendy and I across the blog, Instagram & Facebook.

Cheers,

Martin.

Benriach 2013 Triple Sherry Cask / Easter Treats [Tasted #695]

I've always had a soft spot for Benriach. From their creative use of casks to their mix of peated and unpeated styles, they’ve always stood out as a distillery.

We’ve followed Benriach’s journey for years—through revivals, reinventions, and releases that surprise and delight the whisky faithful. From the distillery’s humble beginnings in 1897 under John Duff, to its dormancy post-Pattison crash and its spectacular rebirth under Billy Walker in 2004, Benriach has always carved its own path.

This Speyside distillery has long been known for its eclectic cask use, malting traditions, and its spirit of experimentation. Under the creative guidance of Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie, the past few years have seen Benriach embrace that innovation with bold new expressions like The Smoky Ten, Malting Season, and The Twenty One—a favourite of mine for its complex peated/unpeated balance and four-cask harmony.

This year, Benriach is bringing something a little special to Aussie whisky lovers, teaming up with KOI Dessert Bar and The Whisky Club to create two Easter indulgences. One for the dessert lovers, one for the whisky drinkers (or, both!).

KOI Dessert Bar has reimagined the classic hot cross bun into something far more decadent (or rather bougie and sweet :)) – the “Scotch Cross Bun.” This Easter-only treat is made with rich vanilla mousse and whisky-soaked currants, featuring Benriach’s The Original Ten as its boozy backbone. Available in KOI stores across Sydney and Melbourne from 11 April, it’s the kind of thing that pairs perfectly with a good dram – or two.

And speaking of drams, the Benriach 2013 Triple Sherry Cask is a one-off vintage crafted exclusively for The Whisky Club by Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie. This Speyside gem has been matured in a trio of PX and Oloroso sherry casks, offering a bold, rich and dessert-like profile.

The cask story here is a clever one—a triple sherry cask maturation that brings together:

1. A full maturation in Oloroso sherry casks,
2. A whisky that was first matured in ex-Bourbon casks and then spent five years in Oloroso,
3. And another parcel that began in ex-Bourbon, then rested for four years in PX sherry casks.

Each component brings its own personality to the mix—nutty dryness from the Oloroso, syrupy richness and dried fruit from the PX, and a core of honeyed vanilla from the ex-Bourbon.

As Dr Rachel Barrie puts it:

“You might find a cherry and chocolate torte… then into lovely almond, orange and deep tiramisu. And that is served with a delicious macchiato. So very rich, multi-layered, but still delicate. And that’s the beauty of Benriach.”

I had the chance to sit down with the Triple Sherry Cask, and it didn’t disappoint. It's a sherry bomb, on the nose, it’s fruit cake, rum and raisins, rich caramel and creamy tiramisu. The palate is rich, syrupy, follows through with tiramisu cake, cream puff, and some nutmeg and warming ginger spice.

The 2013 Triple Sherry Cask is a fantastic example of what the Benriach distillery does so well: bold flavour, clever cask work, and loads of character. Along with KOI’s Scotch Cross Bun and you’ve got the ultimate Easter indulgence.

Benriach 2013 Triple Sherry Cask [Whisky Club Bottling] (48.4% ABV, Speyside, Scotland, A$125)

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Nose: Fruit cake, rum and raisins, and a rich wave of caramel. There’s creamy tiramisu in there too, along with a hint of cherry—like a boozy dessert platter fresh from the kitchen.

Palate: It's a sherry bomb, all indulgences and very rich. Tiramisu cake, rum and raisin, cream puffs, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and a warming hit of ginger spice. It’s very decadent and rich, with chocolate shavings, sweet date, and a slight tartness to balance things out.

Finish: Long, smooth, and warming. The ginger spice lingers beautifully, carrying the sweetness through to the end.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 92/100 (Hendy) 

Whether you’re after a unique whisky to sip on over the long weekend or just looking for something to pair with your Easter sweets, this is one release that hits the mark.

Cheers
Hendy

Spirit of Craft Awards return for 2025 - TimeforWhisky.com interviews two winners

Last August we post about Asia's new Spirits Awards focusing on smaller producers around the world - "Spirit of Craft Awards", launched in January 2024. At the time, we interviewed a number of the winners to learn about their fascinating journeys in distilling and marketing whisky..

With the 2nd edition of the Awards coming up (with entries closing in just a few days) we thought it would be fun to re-visit some of the winners and ask them some questions specifically about the market in Asia. Tania Unsworth (Co-Founder of Seekers Independent Spirits) and Allison Renfrew (Head of Marketing for Isle of Raasay) were good enough to answer our questions

1) How do you see / approach the broader market in Asia - and have you seen any shifts since the first awards? Are there any particular Asian markets you’re focusing on in the future?

Seekers Spirits: Asia is an incredibly dynamic and exciting region for craft spirits. There’s a growing appreciation for high-quality, locally produced spirits, driven by a younger, more adventurous consumer base that values both authenticity and sustainability. We’ve always taken a region-first approach, focusing on flavors and ingredients that resonate with Asian palates while ensuring that our products meet international quality standards.

SOCraft Awards launched at a time where there’s more curiosity and confidence in homegrown brands. Asian consumers and bartenders are increasingly looking for spirits that have a real sense of place rather than defaulting to imported brands. This plays to our strengths, as our spirits, from Seekers Mekong Dry Gin to Jason Kong Butterfly Gin, highlight regional botanicals and flavors. Looking ahead, we’re particularly focused on growing our market share in Thailand and Vietnam, where craft spirits are really gaining traction. At the same time, we’re looking to establish strong distribution partnerships in Singapore and Hong Kong, both of which have world-class cocktail scenes.

Isle of Raasay: Asia is an exciting and rapidly evolving market, it offers a broad and diverse landscape of tastes, preferences, and cultures that provide great opportunities for Raasay Distillery. The growth of craft spirits and whisky culture in Asia, especially among younger, more discerning drinkers, has been a key development we’ve observed. SOCraft was a fantastic platform for showcasing our whisky and is a real credit to the hard work from our dedicated team on Raasay. The positive reception of this award has helped build awareness with consumers and we have found that awards like this really grab people's interest to try and explore new brands. Looking ahead, we’re working closely with markets like Japan and Southeast Asia. Interestingly, we will be attending our first whisky show in Singapore this year which we are really looking forward to.

2) What’s some advice you could give for brands looking to get into Asia, or specific markets in Asia?

Seekers Spirits: Absolutely. Asia is not a single, homogenous market—it’s a complex mix of cultures, drinking preferences, and regulatory environments. My main advice would be to take the time to understand each market individually. What works in Singapore may not work in Cambodia or Japan. Find strong local partners who understand the trade Platforms like SOCraft are invaluable because they provide validation, exposure, and access to industry professionals who are genuinely passionate about craft spirits. Winning an award at SOCraft isn’t just about a medal—it’s a signal to bartenders, distributors, and consumers that your product meets a high standard. The media visibility that comes with it also helps open doors to new markets.

Isle of Raasay: Entering the Asian market requires patience, cultural understanding, and an adaptable strategy. My advice would be to first do thorough market research to understand the local drinking habits, trends, and regulatory requirements for your category. Each country has its own preferences and unique challenges. For example, Japan has an established whisky tradition, whereas Southeast Asia may have a more experimental consumer base. Brands should prioritise building relationships with local distributors, bars, and restaurants, as these partnerships are critical to getting your product in front of the right audience. Networking with local influencers, industry professionals, and participating in events like SOCraft are great ways to introduce your brand, establish credibility, and create long-term connections.  SOCraft has helped us showcase our whiskies quality and credentials, so I would recommend it.

3) How do you balance between addressing the needs of customers looking to use your spirits in cocktails, against those looking to drink neat / straight? In terms of promotion, events, working with on-premise etc..?

Seekers Spirits: For us, it’s about versatility without compromise. We design our spirits to work beautifully in cocktails while still standing strong on their own. For example, Seekers Mekong Coffee Liqueur has enough depth and complexity to be sipped neat but also integrates perfectly into an Espresso Martini. Our wood-finished Mekong Gold Gin, works beautifully as a whiskey substitute in traditionally whisky based cocktails, but is exceptionally smooth and complex and can be enjoyed just on the rocks. When it comes to promotion, we work closely with bartenders to showcase the versatility of our range. We host masterclasses, tasting events, and brand collaborations that highlight the full potential of our spirits.

At bars and restaurants, we encourage venues to include a range of serves, ensuring different consumer preferences are catered to.

Isle of Raasay: At Isle of Raasay Distillery our aim is to make whisky consumption enjoyable and accessible to all, so showing variety of ways to consume allows us to do so. We primarily focus on enjoying the whisky neat but at events and on-premise we have the opportunity to be creative in the serves. For example, we recommend trying a Draamhattan which uses our Isle of Raasay Single Malt, The Draam instead of american whiskey. For those who prefer to drink our spirits neat or straight, we emphasize the quality, craftsmanship, and distinctive flavour profiles of our whiskies, highlighting our unique distillation process of using peated and unpeated spirit.

For the on-premise, we work closely with bars and restaurants, and provide training and support for staff on how to best use our products in mixed drinks. At events, we like to offer tastings that reflect who we are as a brand. We like to bring fun and engagement into the learning experience.

4) What has winning your award(s) last year meant for your brand?

Seekers Spirits: Winning at SOCraft was a great moment for us. It reinforced that what we’re doing—both in terms of liquid quality and sustainable production—is resonating with the industry. The recognition helped us build credibility in key markets, opening up conversations with distributors and bars that might not have been familiar with Seekers before.

It also validated our approach to craft spirits in Asia. We believe that local production, premium ingredients, and sustainable sourcing can compete at an international level, and the SOCraft awards proved that. It’s given us even more motivation to push forward, continue innovating, and showcase what Asia has to offer to the world of spirits.

Isle of Raasay: Winning the SOCraft award last year was an incredible recognition for Raasay Distillery. It validated the hard work and passion we put into every bottle, and it gave us increased credibility in a competitive market. It reinforced that we are producing something special, and we are very proud of that.

Many thanks to Tania & Allison for taking the time to answer our questions, and to the team at Foodnews Singapore for making the interview happen!

Cheers,

Martin.