A New Golden Age for Scotch Whisky?
The Scotch Whisky industry is roaring along, setting new records for sales every year as the global demand for whisky continues to grow. The last… Read More
Australia
A New Era for Blended American Whisky (Episode 1004: May 14, 2023)
Blended American Whisky has been ignored by connoisseurs for many years, largely because the category has been dominated by cheap blends using grain neutral spirits. Now, there’s a new era for Blended American Whisky as blenders explore the flexibility the category offers, from being able to blend Bourbons and Ryes with other styles of whisky to being able to use whisky matured in used barrels. We’ll talk with master blender Ari Sussman about the trend in this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Australian distillers are in a dispute over what should be called a “single malt,” Russian officials raid Read More »
American Spirits Exports Reach Record High
March 12, 2023 – American distillers exported a record $2.06 billion in spirits during 2022, a 30 percent gain over 2021 as the temporary end of tariffs on Bourbons and other American whiskies helped exports rebound. According to a new report from the Distilled Spirits Council, American whisky exports grew 32 percent with a value of $1.28 billion during the year. “Growth to the European Union and United Kingdom lagged behind other markets,” DISCUS Vice President of International Trade Rob Maron told WhiskyCast in a telephone interview. Both trade partners ended their punitive tariffs on American whisky exports in 2022, Read More »
Happy Hour Live with Tasmania’s Fannys Bay Distillery (Episode 946: May 4, 2022)
Mathew and Julie Cooper built Fannys Bay Distillery next to their home in Tasmania, and their small-scale whiskies are just now becoming available in the United States. The Coopers joined us on our latest #HappyHourLive webcast along with Holly Seidewand of First Fill Spirits and Her Whisky Love, who persuaded them to export their whiskies for the first time. We’ll also get the first look at two new bottled in bond whiskies from Jack Daniel’s that arrived via The Whisky Fairy just before showtime. Links: Fannys Bay Distillery | Discovery Bottles
Happy Hour Live with Starward Whisky’s David Vitale (Episode 943: April 20, 2022)
Australian whiskies did extremely well at last week’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Melbourne’s Starward Whisky led the way with 12 Double Gold and 3 Gold medals. That’s the most of any whisky brand in the entire competition. Starward founder David Vitale joined us on the last #HappyHourLive webcast to talk about not only his whiskies, but the success of the entire Australian whisky category. Links: Starward Whisky
Lark Distillery Introduces Single Malt For Rare Cask Series
Tasmania-based Lark Distillery – in collaboration with Australian wine estate, Seppeltsfield – is celebrating their 30th anniversary by releasing a single malt whisky for their Rare Cask Series. The Lark Distillery Rare Cask Para 92 single malt was finished in rare Seppeltsfield Para Liqueur (fortified wine) casks from 1992, bottled at 46.4% alcohol by volume […]
Black Gate 3 Years Old Batch 2
Luscious, thick and voluminous on the palate, some odd rummy and woody dunnage warehouse feel and plenty of spices. Adding water moves the spice more into the finish, plenty of thick black fruits and sugars throughout. 85/100
Killara 2 Years Old Batch 1
Very drinkable, some lovely toasted notes. Although there are buttery and spirity elements present here this really doesn’t come across as a young spirit. 84/100