Sullivans Cove Double Cask

Aroma: Gentle orchard fruit, mild grain, subtle vanilla, a whisper of mild citrus. Understated... understated... understated. Taste: Gentle, smooth, clean start. Stewed fruit (apricots, figs, pears) rehydrated with honey-sweetened water. Chestnut and hazelnut spread with mild spices (sweet cinnamon, clove, light ginger). Some soft grains and tannins. The texture is velvety and pleasant, but the spirit lacks depth and presence. The structure is delicate and it breaks down easily with water. Finish: Moderate. Semi-sweet fruity but well-balanced aftertaste. This review is from a bottle gifted by an acquaintance who does not drink whisky. It was given to them by their brother-in-law some time ago. It's a straightforward and very accessible spirit with a character similar to several mid-tier highland and Speyside Scotch single malts, notably resembling Balvenie. There are no faults with it; in fact, it's a very pleasant whisky, however, it is excessively praised and extremely overpriced. This is the more economical Sullivan's Cove expression. In my estimation, none of their products warrant their prices. For the cost of one bottle of this, I could purchase five bottles of Balvenie 12 (or comparable) and receive a whisky of at least equal or greater quality. Sullivan's Cove presents a complex review challenge. Since its inception, the distillery has undergone multiple ownership changes, filed for bankruptcy twice, and relocated. Each transition involved almost complete staff turnover, and the core range 'recipe' has been altered several times. These factors in a small, craft distillery's history inevitably lead to significant batch variation. Each batch of Double-Cask differs considerably, sometimes shockingly so. It's worth noting that the spirit has progressively improved and is now more consistent under capable management. The spirit from the original proprietors was quite poor, and Sullivan's Cove didn't overcome its negative local reputation until the early 2000s when the '2nd Generation' spirit began appearing. This is the spirit that garnered awards and high praise, placing Sullivan's Cove and Tasmanian whisky on the map. However, this led to high demand and low supply, similar to many Japanese distilleries. Additionally, the official tasting notes for this listing contain inaccuracies. Double-Cask was bottled at 40% ABV until 2017, when it was increased to 45% or 47.5%, significantly enhancing the expression. The distillery operates with a single still, nicknamed 'Myrtle', used for both wash and spirit distillation. Double Cask is consistently a blend of French oak ex-port and American oak ex-bourbon casks, with varying proportions per batch. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Aroma: Fresh, airy scents of grain, malt, pleasant oak, and orchard fruits like pears and apples. It has a grassy, slightly tarry note and a touch of vanilla. A few drops of water reveal hidden floral and honey notes, making the aroma less intense and more welcoming. It becomes even better as it sits in the glass. Taste: When sipped neat, the initial impression is sweet and malty, quickly followed by bright spice notes of cinnamon, clove, and a dusting of white pepper. These fade, allowing fruity grain and honey to dominate. The texture is smooth and pleasing. Adding water softens the spirit, bringing out more honey and deep malt flavors. Water also creates a very creamy texture. Finish: Medium length. Spicy malt that transforms into a leafy, ale-like aftertaste. Compared to many Australian whiskies, Sullivans Cove possesses a very Scottish character. It bears a strong resemblance to lighter Speyside malts such as Speyburn, Glen Grant, and Glenmorangie when aged in ex-bourbon casks. At times, it also evokes Auchentoshan, and the palate shares similarities with Limeburners from Western Australia. Double Cask is the entry-level offering from Sullivans Cove's core range. They also offer an expression fully matured in refill ex-bourbon, another in first-fill ex-bourbon, one fully matured in refill French oak, and their most premium bottling, fully matured in first-fill French oak. The first-fill ex-bourbon is my personal favorite, though it costs nearly double this Double Cask. Their whiskies have shown consistent improvement over the years, with recent batches being the best I've encountered. I previously reviewed a bottle of Double Cask Batch 076 four years ago, and this is the first bottle of Double Cask I've sampled since then. The older batch (from 2014) seemed softer and fruitier, but its 40% ABV was a detriment. The Double Cask is now typically bottled at 47.5% ABV, which significantly enhances its profile. The most positive development is that after a decade of scarcity and high demand driven by considerable buzz, availability is increasing and prices are dropping noticeably. Ten years ago, acquiring this whisky required entering a lottery directly from the distillery and cost around AUD$400 per bottle. I purchased this current bottle from my usual online retailer for AUD$250. It's fantastic and gratifying to witness this change. This is a classic whisky from Australia's second-oldest distillery. It falls just short of a four-star rating, but it's very close. "Good": 84/100 (3.75 stars)

An Australian spirit, so it must be good! Alright, I'll set aside my national pride for an objective assessment. The aroma is pleasant, featuring sweet fruits, vanilla, a subtle floral hint, and some banana-like esters in the background. The taste is creamy, rich, and upfront with stone fruits, French vanilla, finishing with mild spice and light tannins. The finish is notably short; this is a whisky where the primary character is experienced at the beginning. So, if you can find and afford a bottle, it offers a very enjoyable, somewhat traditional whisky experience, reminiscent of a Glenmorangie in many aspects. Ultimately, it's quite decent and faultless, but also lacks significant complexity or excitement. Considering the price, it becomes a less compelling option. However, it definitively proves that Australia can produce excellent whisky, though perhaps not in quantities that keep its price grounded. Many thanks to Cascode for the sample!

What do Sullivans Cove and Japanese whisky have in common? Well, both are surprisingly expensive and highly desired. The nose of this 'Double Cask' opens with canned pears, lychee, and wood spices, complemented by orange peel, sourdough, and hints of tobacco. Stewed fruits, honey, and a touch of brandy sparkle in the arrival before a peak of French oak drives the taste into a rough patch. Resinous, dry, and chocolaty, the finish recovers with juniper, mint, and fruit tea. There is quality in this dram, certainly, but I can't identify a Tasmanian identity. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

Aroma: plum pudding, toffee, manuka honey. Taste: stewed pears, honey, vanilla, a touch of spice. An unidentifiable element that is amazing. Beautiful, very smooth and easy to drink; the flavors meld perfectly. Excellent drink, would suggest it.

Purchased at the location after the tour and tasting. For the cost, which included samples, it's a must-do if you're in Tasmania! It was described as their "Breakfast Whisky." Less intense than its sibling, the French Oak, but the flavor is still present. It's also significantly less expensive!