Launceston Distillery Tawny Cask Matured Australian Single Malt Whisky (500ml) - 46%

Matured in small French oak x-Australian port casks which shows in the already remarkably deep copper colour. You might think this was PX matured with its suggestions of fruit cake, dates, raisins and even hints of rum balls, countered by shavings of bitter dark chocolate. Regardless, a delicious, affable malt that packs in the flavour. On the sweeter side, too, so probably best left to the last. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Batch H17-19 tasted.

Head distiller, Chris Condon joined forces with Rob Carroll, Chris Byrne, Ilya Brucksch-Domanski, and Peta Dolan to establish Launceston Distillery in 2013 – the first in the area to be granted a production license since the Distillation Prohibition Act of 1839. While there have been other distilleries built in the area recently, Launceston Distillery is proudly playing its part in returning whisky-making to the north.

Other reviews... Not too many complaints, though, about the eye watering delivery, a little salty and forceful with both grape and spice. 87 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2022