Shene Estate Distillery Mackey Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml) - Apera Cask

Shene Distillery now has commercial quantities of Mackey whisky available, the result of a decision in 2016 to enter into a significant expansion, boosting production and adding barrels to their bond stores. Now turning out 550 litres of cask strength spirit per day, seven days a week, fifty weeks a year, they've been careful to match quality output with high end barrels sourced from Portugal, Spain, France and America as well as having access to Australian fortified wine barrels where's there's a preference for French oak Port casks.

Despite triple distilling, founder Damian Mackey states he's not trying to make an Irish style. "If I was making a true Irish-style whiskey, I would have a proportion of unmalted grain in the bill - it would be cheaper - but I'm not trying to reproduce and Irish whiskey." says Mackey. " First and foremost, I am making Tasmanian whisky - it just has an Irish bent, with a heavy nod to my own Irish heritage".

Tasting note: [Release 3] Deep bronze. Significant sherry pick up, the nose is thick with dried apricots, ripe peaches, milk chocolate and trace marzipan. In the mouth, it starts inconspicuously, but the slow development from fruit’n’nut chocolate through to kumquat jam and apricot nectar is (almost) one of a kind. Cocoa drizzled malt melts through the oily finish. A superb Tasmanian whisky boasting impressive definition, balance and length. 1250 bottles. 49% Alc./Vol.