Aussie whisky is a spirit made from cereal grains and aged in wood that’s local to the gorgeous country of Australia. It’s similar to Scotch in how it’s made and the flavor profile, but don’t worry – there are several differences that make it unique and well worth your time if you’re looking for a new type of whisky to try out and fall in love with.
But how do you pick which option to try out? Well, hopefully that’s where our list of five sublime options comes into play. You can also check out more reviews of different Australian whiskies to help!
Starward Two-Fold Double Grain Australian Whisky
Firstly, Starward offers an affordable and beginner-friendly Aussie whisky in the form of their Two-Fold expression, which uses two Australian-grown grains – malted barley and dry wheat. It’s then aged in barrels from a local vineyard that specialises in cabernet, pinot noir, and shiraz – leaving you with a gorgeously divine whisky that’s both sweet and spicy. Looking for a present? You can’t go wrong with Starward!
Tasting notes:
- Nose: Bright red berries, vanilla spice
- Palate: Tropical fruit topped with smooth, rich caramel
- Finish: Delicate, long, and dry with a hint of fading sweetness
- Sullivans Cove American Oak Single Cask Whisky
Don’t let the mention of America in the title here lose you – this whisky is most definitely still Australian. Its strong malt flavour makes it an excellent choice for anyone who prefers a peaty taste to a fruity one. Made in American oak ex-bourbon casks, each batch comes with its own unique characteristics that make this whisky so interesting to any eagle-eyed whisky drinker. While it’s impossible to say the exact notes you’ll find in this whisky, a general overview mentions malt, white flowers, caramel, pound cake, and apricots.
Tasting notes:
- Nose: Malt, vanilla, white flowers, and wood shop
- Palate: Caramel, pound cake, apricots
- Finish: Lingering malt texture and powerful oak
- Hellyers Road Distillery Single Malt Original 15 Year
Want one reason why you should give Hellyers a go? It’s won awards at the World Whiskey Awards for three years in a row! Their original 15 year whisky is created and married in timber casks before being filtered at room temperature, giving you a unique yet fun and exciting expression that will certainly stand out from the other whiskies you’ve tried from around the world. We guarantee this bottle’s more than worth the higher price – get your friends and family involved and try it for yourselves!
Tasting notes:
- Nose: Caramel and nuts
- Palate: Smooth vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, smoke
- Finish: Tangy, bright fruit
- Timboon Single Malt Whisky Port Expression
Timboon is currently only available in Australia, so it’s an amazing option if you want a bottle that really encapsulates the heart of the country that no one else in the world is privy to! If you’re hosting guests who are visiting Australia, make sure you get a bottle of this in to wow them with the taste of home. It’s been aged in charred port barrels and has plenty of sweet and spiced notes to discover. Timboon has said that this bottle is inspired by the single malts of Scotland, so we bet you’ll love this one if you’re already a fan of classic Scotch.
Tasting notes:
- Nose: Honey, port fruit, candied nuts, spiced vanilla
- Palate: Gentle fruit, baking spices, and a hint of charred barrel
- Finish: Mild butterscotch and smoke
- Lark Wolf Release IV
Lark Wolf uses casks that have been on a journey and back to make sure this whisky is as fun and unique as possible. They first come from Lark Distillery, who send them to Victoria’s Wolf of the Willows brewery to use them for their Johnny Smoke Porter. Once they’ve exhausted their purpose there, the casks are then sent back so they can be used for aging the Wolf Release. Give this bottle a spin and see if you can find all of the glorious notes from Johnny Smoke!
Tasting notes:
- Nose: Bright citrus, toasted coconut, caramelised malt, grapefruit, cocoa powder, oak
- Palate: Syrup, orange, grapefruit, smoked malt, ancient oak, toffee, dark chocolate
- Finish: Smoke, cream, bright citrus
Have we convinced you to try one of these amazing Aussie whiskies yet? Whether you’re looking for something more powerful and robust or gentle and fruity, Australian distilleries are coming through hot and fast. Take one of our five favorites for a test drive, then reach out on your own and see what else on the market takes your fancy.
