A Three Pack of our most recent Single Cask releases at a special, discounted rate!
Over $125 of savings!
Bunnahabhain 2013 8-Year-Old Single Malt by North Star
When Scott and Iain first were trying samples of this release it presented as a delicious albeit big, brash and dirty Bunnahabhain. It mellowed out considerably prior to bottling, however, freshly upon opening it stills contains some mild phenolic traces. What’s truly incredible about this whisky is the transformation it underwent after being open for several weeks: it became more rounded and notes described as “bmx inner tubes” by Iain instead were replaced by beautiful brown sugar and sweet cereal notes. In all of its iterations this Bunnahabhain was a delight, but we were pleasantly surprised by just how good it gets.
We look forward to sharing this whisky with you: one of the last opportunities to try an Oak Barrel whisky selected by the legend that is Scott Fitzsimons.
Official Tasting Notes by Iain Croucher
Nose: Honeyed cider, BMX inner tubes, in a good way
Palate: Plum fruity wine with crushed cashew nuts
Finish: Sherry-fuelled, with mint dark chocolate…. After eights!
Starward Smoke & Mirrors II – Whisky Fair 2024
This single cask, ex-Apera Barrel #109 may be familiar to some of you, as will be the name. In fact, this bottling is a refill from our previous collaboration, Smoke & Mirrors back in 2021. The barrel was refilled back in 2021, with spirit coming from a vatting of Red Wine, Rum, Tawny & Apera Casks. The cask was then left to mature until now.
We were lucky enough to try this incredible whisky with David Vitale at the distillery in early August, which he compared to some an early Starward Double Cask bottling, one of his personal favourites. Personally, we feel Starward spirit is at home in a refill cask, with the nuances and complexity of the distillery’s spirit shining through, whilst the influence of the cask brings depth & richness without becoming overbearing. Starward Single Casks are often labelled with 3 key flavour notes, in the case of this bottling we have Demerara, Toffee & Dried Fruits.
The oldest stock in this release comes from the older, Essendon Fields era of Starward, and was distilled in 2011, whilst the youngest was distilled in 2018. This results in a mixture of flavours reminiscent of the “Old Era” Starwards, being more funky. Allen’s Red Frogs come to mind. Ontop of that, there is the balance and complexity of modern Starward, with depth rivalling (perhaps beating…) the Vitalis.
What an incredible bottle to celebrate a Decade of Starward x Oak Barrel releases. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen!
Official Tasting Notes:
Nose: Red frogs, cuban cigar ash, hints of vegemite, hints of nutella… A battle of the breakfast spreads.
Palate: More red frogs! Classic Starward chewiness reminiscent of The Good Old Days… Caramel chews, tawny tannins and a slight, oxidised spice. Opens up incredibly well after a few minutes in the glass!
Finish: Longer than you would expect, some real old oak dryness underneath all the rich, fruit characteristics.
Amber Lane x Oak Barrel Single Cask Release
The Amber Lane Oak Barrel Exclusive Release may not have a witty name, but it more than makes up for it in raw flavour. This bottling is the oldest Amber Lane to be bottled to date, with the spirit taking a journey through a trio of casks before we snagged it. The spirit started its life in ex-McWilliams Apera, before spending time in Virgin French Oak, and then ex-Heaven Hill bourbon casks… A duo that many will be familiar with from the ever popular Silk Road release.
The result? Our favourite Amber Lane bottling ever. Notes of Stonefruit, berry, and plum jams, with a richness on the palate that reminds us of Allens lollies, a common tasting note from Amber Lane, along with raisin, dried apricot, vanilla and nutmeg.
The finish is long, and lingers on the palate, with a developed oak spice that doesnt become overwhelming.
What can we say, this is an excellent bottling from an excellent distillery.
