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Hellyers Road Distillery Original 10 Year Old Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)
The Australian whisky trail continues to twist and turn. Those who, like ourselves, have been following its path over the last decade will have noticed that the ascent seems to increase with every release. Hellyer's Road is a serious business, employing state of the art equipment and capable of large scale production. Whiskies are distilled from Tasmanian grown malted barley using local rainwater, then matured in American white oak barrels. This is their first age statement release to hit the market.
Retasted November 2016 Like the younger version, only the grassy characteristic is now almost gone with sweeter scents of vanilla, wood shavings and tea biscuits now at the fore. Gets better with time in the glass. Early barrel input with dry, spicy vanilla malt; Finish ups the heat and sees the grassy / cool mint characteristics return in the aftertaste. 46.3% Alc./Vol.
First tasted November 2012 Pale gold / straw colour. A curious aroma includes toasted cereals, cocoa and coffee with an odd unripe fruitiness in the background - not unattractive - something like apple peel combined with a forgivable trace of sulphur. A light entry builds into a concentrated, spicy mid-palate. Sweet cereals and cocoa. Like the nose, there’s an unusual undercurrent here that’s similar to chewing straw or dried grass. Spicy, tingly finish. Concludes with a trace of sulphur followed by a subtle, semi-sweet, dried grass, short bread and tingly spirit fade. 90 points 46.3% Alc./Vol.