Whisky/Barley To Bottle

Question 1

Where do we get our barley

Answer 1

Our barley runs through a fermentation process at Goodison beer, which creates our wort for us to use.

Question 2

What is the process we undertake using the wart?

Answer 2

1) we use a double distillation process in our copper stills. Where the first distillation removes impurities and concentrates the alcohol and the second distillation refines the spirit.
2) then the whisky is placed into oak barrels to mature for at least 2 years (Australian minimum) but we typically age for 5 years to make them more premium and higher end from the extended mature time
3) three stages of distillation - liquid coming out of the still is into 3 phases:
- heads: first portion, which is undesirable
- hearts: middle portion, which is high quality spirit which becomes whisky
- tails: final portiob, which is undesirable (discarded)

Question 3

Our barrels

Answer 3

We collaborate with wineries around McLaren Vale to source barrels - important because the barrel imparts up to 80% of flavour to the spirit

Oak from the barrels and characteristics of the wine, gives the whisky a distinctive taste

Question 4

Single malt

Answer 4

We only use one grain for our whisky, barely.

Question 5

Single cask

Answer 5

Whisky comes from one specific barrel and the flavour profile of whisky will be unique to that cask

Question 6

Blended cask

Answer 6

Whisky comes from different barrels of whisky, flavour profile can be created to a specific taste.

Question 7

Mead cask

Answer 7

Whisky has been aged in casks previously used to store mead. Mead is made from fermented honey, so casks may import notes of honey, floral sweetness and fruity flavour to the whisky, depending how long it’s stored.

Question 8

Why the water pipettes

Answer 8

These are used in whisky tasting to help break the layers of oils in the spirt this way more aromas and flavour are released

Question 9

Whisky tasting recommendation

Answer 9

We recommend not swirling the glass before smelling because it will liberate too much of the alcohol and can numb your nose.

We also recommend holding the first sip of the spirit in your mouth, moving it around for 30 seconds, this will help your palette to relax and be able to safe the flavour

Question 10

Our current whisky offerings

Answer 10

1) Australian wine cask
2) Pennys Hill
3) Yangarra
4) Maxwell

5) new make spirit

Question 11

New make

Answer 11

This spirit we give you to try is before the spirt goes into the barrel, so you can try the full range. It has been diluted to 40%

Question 12

Australian wine cask

Answer 12

This is our beginner friendly whisky blended cask, it has been finished in muscat barrels for last 6 months. It’s 42% alcohol and smoother in the pallet. Around 5-7 years in different barrels. Hints of toffee

Question 13

Pennys Hill

Answer 13

Our award winning, blended whisky, from different French barrels all from the same winery. It’s in the barrels for around 6-8 years maturing, then finished in the muscat barrel for 6 months. It gives notes of Christmas spices and cake.

Question 14

Yangarra

Answer 14

This is one of our more premium whiskies, where it’s a single malt single cask product. It’s a limited stock, what we bottled from the barrel is all we have. This whisky is an 8 year old matured whisky in old French oak, and finished in a port barrel for 6 months. Hints of mandarin and cinnamon.

Question 15

Maxwell

Answer 15

Another premium whisky, matured for 8 years in old American oak and finished in a port barrel for 6 months. It gives some smoky and savoury notes with vanilla.