Upshot Cask Strength Australian Whiskey

I visited Whipper Snapper Distillery in Western Australia last week for a tasting flight before a cocktail class. It included their Wheat and Quinoa whiskies, along with the Upshot, Upshot Cask Strength, and Red Corn Upshot. Unfortunately, the latter three were rushed. Since I live very close by, I returned today for a proper tasting with ample time to savor. My notes on the Wheat and Quinoa, which were quite intriguing and worth seeking out, are further down. Whipper Snapper's core range includes 'Crazy Uncle Moonshine' (a new make), its Barrel Aged version, and then Upshot and Upshot Cask Strength. I also added the Upshot Red Corn to this tasting, making five spirits today. At 63% ABV, this is Whipper Snapper's powerhouse, representing the final step in their progression from new make through barrel aging and their standard offerings. I'm curious how the extra 20% ABV will impact the Upshot. Surely it only enhances it? Nose: The 63% ABV is definitely present. Strangely, it feels less substantial than the lower-proof version, less thick and creamy, with less distinct aromas. It leans towards the Crazy Uncle Moonshine new make, offering a generic corn sweetness, hints of wood, and the faintest whisper of vanilla. Palate: An oily entry with a pleasant warmth. Brown sugar, pecan pie, and buttery oak come through, developing a creaminess (thank goodness!). There are subtle notes of nutmeg and cinnamon. I suspect this will benefit from some water. Finish: Long. It starts with vanilla caramel and brown sugar, transitioning to milk chocolate and a lasting warmth. Adding a splash of water and letting it sit for a few minutes is essential. The perfumed wood notes, like cedar and sandalwood, lift, and you feel the creamy, buttery wood. The palate softens, the initial heat subsides, and a velvety texture emerges with creamy wood, nutmeg, and maple flavors. The finish remains largely the same. Apparently, the standard Upshot enters the barrel at 43%, but this potent version is bottled at 63.5%. To me, the resulting 63% liquid suggests more flavor, nuance, and depth, but that wasn't my experience. The high ABV is impressive, but I'm not convinced it adds much. A bit of water brings it closer to the regular Upshot. It doesn't seem to add or subtract anything significant. I question the purpose of the higher ABV. Is it a marketing ploy? A way to add another product at a higher price point? Is it intended solely for cocktails? Perhaps. Ultimately, I believe this is only as good as the lower-proof Upshot, though the ability to control the intensity with water is a nice feature, I suppose.

Number 4 in the tasting flight. It was interesting to observe the progression from the Moonshine (new make) through the 6 weeks of aging to this expression, which was apparently about 5 years old. Caramel and toffee were present along with the vanilla. Nice balance and flavor.