Kinglake O’Grady’s Stand Single Malt

Kinglake O’Grady’s Stand Single Malt, 2 YO, 46 %

Time to try more Australian whisky, don’t you think? I have recently tried a handful of expressions from Kinglake Distillery, New South Wales. Here is how they describe their approach:

“80% of our malt is single origin from NSW and is made up of 3 different varieties, including one chocolate roasted. The remaining 20% is heavily peated and comes from the Scottish borders. Our water comes straight from a Kinglake mountain stream and is natural, pure and totally untreated. Cuts are deep to give a heavy oily spirit. Ferments are long and left open to local pollens and yeasts.”

This is also “the only Australian whisky Certified Carbon Neutral.” A great selling point going forward, if you ask me. Focus on sustainability will only increase in importance, and will be something the end customer will be more focused on.

This whisky has been aged in small-format ex-bourbon barrels from Kentucky, re-coopered in Australia., and it sells for AUS 80 (50 cl).

Nose: Light, fruity and rather appealing nose. Orchard fruits and fluffy puffs of vanilla sweetness. With time slightly darker notes of chocolate, toasted oak and dark fudge. The barest whiff of smoke.

Taste: Medium body. White pepper and moderate fruitiness up front. On the dry side. More spiciness in the form of cinnamon, schezuan pepper.

Finish: Medium long finish. The sweet fruits are now accompanied by notes of fudge and hints of honey. It remains rich and creamy. Heavy pepper and toasted oak in the back.

Comment: Young but highly drinkable.

Score 82/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas