FRENCH OAK OLD & RARE

$1250 AUD

This whisky is being released via a ballot. Please click below to enter.

Cask number HH0541 was distilled on the 7th of November, 2000 and decanted 19 years later on the 11th of November, 2019. To date this is the oldest French Oak Single Cask ever released by the distillery. After such a long maturation, this 300-litre French oak ex-tawny cask yielded only 447 bottles at 47.3% abv. As one of the oldest Australian single malt whiskies ever released, this bottling is a true piece of whisky history and has incredible texture, complexity and length of palate.

Each bottle comes in a unique, hand made, solid oak presentation box, and includes a letter of authenticity signed by our Head Distiller.

"A sublime example of long-aged Sullivans Cove spirit. This is brilliance. The approach of gentle patience and working with the spirit at all stages of it's life is showcased here: good spirit is one thing that Sullivans certainly has. But, the touch to rear it, step back, and listen as a custodian, to when it is whispering that it has completed it's transformation is another."
- Heather Tillott, Head Distiller

Strictly limited to one bottle per person.

Old & Rare French Oak

Old & Rare French Oak is matured for a minimum of sixteen years in French oak casks previously used to age Australian tawny port-style fortified wine. This single cask whisky displays incredible complexity and length of palate; rich, oaky and hugely textural while still retaining the unmistakable brightness and character of Sullivans Cove’s unique spirit. Each bottle is presented in a unique, hand-made, solid wood presentation box and includes a letter of authenticity hand signed by our Head Distiller Heather Tillott. An incredible rarity and a milestone for both Sullivans Cove and the Australian Whisky Industry, these whiskies are a true piece of Australian whisky history.

Nose

High ester mastic funk: unmistakeable aged Sullivans spirit. Deeply floral to the point of being almost gamey; similar to a big Jamaican rum. Orange zest and marmalade, dried figs. Grape molasses, butterscotch, mocha, leatherwood honey. Cigar humidor, and a minty note.

Palate

Full texture, très oily. Ripe peaches, oranges, touch of tropical (dried banana and mango sorbet). A nice little medicinal note peeps in there, followed by walnuts, dried apricots, fruitcake, bag of dried apple. Touch of cherry cola, anise seed, brown sugar and butter batter, and liquid dates. Ripe cherries, boysenberry ice-cream. Herbal notes brighten up the corners. Mellow with a whole lot of complexity going on.

Finish

Mocha, coffee, fudge, chocolate. Big burst of pawpaw, mango and a lovely Assam tea note, then Crème Anglaise and vanilla. Moving fast and slow all at once; seems to gracefully know exactly where it's going. Licorice, honeycomb, a mossy note, and frankincense (if it had a taste...). Fine black tea comes around again: very soft and fine tannin shows a wonderfully matured structure. Fills palate gently and with staying power.

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Old & Rare French Oak

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