Manly Spirits "Coastal Stone" Nor'easter

Manly Spirits in Sydney is another recent Australian distiller with a vast selection. They are perhaps more subdued than Archie Rose and definitely less wild than Starward. I was unimpressed by an earlier bottling but sensed potential; that seems to be the general opinion. Now, a more straightforward release is available in the mid-price range. Here's the promotional text: "Nor’easter is a name inspired by the typical summer wind along Sydney's coast, which provides an ideal environment for Coastal Stone's whiskies to mature. Nor'easter is considered one of the distillery's more potent expressions, finished in toasted Australian red wine barrels (both French and American oak)." It sounds somewhat similar to a Starward recipe, but I'm approaching it with an open mind and palate. Thanks also to a friend for another shared drink. Nose: Intense, with a touch of acetone but abundant ripe, succulent nectarines and apricots, crisp apple, and an unusual hint of Middle Eastern earthy spices. Upon further reflection and with time, the acetone I perceived transformed into a herbal, earthy oak. The red wine casks leave some mustiness in the background. Palate: Creamy despite a medium-thin body. Muted fruit flavors of pears and apple pie with custard. Spiced vanilla and milk chocolate. I don't detect much else. Finish: This concluded rapidly... milk chocolate and a sweet fruit juice. However, to its credit, there are some delightful perfumed and floral oak tannins on the exit, which are the most memorable part of the entire dram for me. Following sound advice, a small amount of water reduces the nose's intensity, mellows everything, and somewhat subdues it; but crucially, it unifies the profile. The red wine cask is much more evident, adding a slightly tart red fruit character. The finish is fleeting after adding water and brings a sweet, mulchy leafiness, which is a bit peculiar. Typically priced at AUD $99 for a 500 ml bottle, this remains quite costly. At AUD $87 on sale for 500 ml, it becomes more competitive. However, I recently found a 700 ml bottle for AUD $94.99, which is a reasonable price for a locally produced Australian whisky. I wouldn't add it to my collection, though; the best part is the fading notes of the finish, and they disappear too quickly for me to consider purchasing it. [Displayed with a piece of Hawkesbury Sandstone. This is the same material used for the stoppers on all Manly Spirits Coastal Stone bottles. This rock, found beneath much of Sydney, is widely used in the city's buildings. The sandstone is 247 million years old and resulted from river erosion of much older rock formations to the south.]

Nose: Smells of eucalyptus, straw, stone fruits, daisies, briny cereal, turmeric, cumin, and resinous cask. The aroma is unusual with a slightly maritime quality. A splash of water reduces the bright herbal and oak notes, allowing the deep, almost sandalwood-like scent of the red wine casks to emerge more clearly. Palate: Tastes of pears, cereal (corn flakes? wheat flakes?), a hint of red wine, sour cherries, raisins, and bitter orange peel. The texture is initially creamy but becomes thin and loses density when consumed neat. However, adding water again improves the dram by restoring the creamy texture and creating better integration. Finish: Short. When neat, it has leafy, walnut skin, and pine resin notes that fade to a bitter oak. It is sweeter and more balanced with water. This is a somewhat peculiar whisky that the local whisky writers are praising, though perhaps a bit too much in my view. During my initial tasting, I noticed occasional resemblances to both Limeburners and Auchentoshan, neither of which I am a big fan of. However, it has grown on me over time, especially as a mixing spirit. In my opinion, it is significantly better with a dash of water and allowed to rest in the glass for a short period. I have been following the distillery since they first opened, and there is considerable passion and skill at the distillery. Their gins, flavored vodkas, and liqueurs are excellent, but the owner's aspiration is single malt. They released several initial expressions at the end of 2021, all of which were interesting but didn't truly impress me. More recently, this Nor'easter was introduced. For me, it represents progress, and while there's still room for improvement, I wouldn't be surprised if they produce something outstanding in the next 3-5 years. Worth trying, but be aware of the frustratingly small Australian 500ml bottle size. Ugh. “Above Average”: 82/100 (3.25 stars)