UK-based independent bottler That Boutique-y Whisky Company has announced the launch of the Australia Series, a range of eight whiskies from different Australian distilleries set to be released this April.
The series follows several Australian whisky releases by international independent bottlers, with Cadenheads, Adelphi, Berry Bros. & Rudd, La Maison du Whisky and The Whisky Exchange now bottling Australian whisky.
TBWC Riverbourne 3YO single malt in the new Australia Series. Photo – Supplied
It marks the second foray into Australian whisky for Boutique-y, after the company bottled two batches of Overeem single malt in 2016.
Simon McGoram, Atom Brands’ regional sales manager for Asia Pacific, told Oz Whisky Review that the release is a first for Boutique-y Whisky.
‘This is the first time we’ve done a series of whiskies from one country outside the U.S. or the UK, so we’re really excited.’
Speaking on the release, Sam Simmons, head of whisky at Atom Brands and TBWC owner, said:
‘… Take note of these distillery names, it may be the first time you’ve heard some of them, but it will not be the last.
‘While I think it’s fair to say that most of the world is just waking up to the fact that Australian whisky is on the map at all, I would dare to say that these whiskies, and the future of whiskies from down under, may turn the world upside down, literally flipping the hegemonic order on its head, with Australia at the top of the pile in the 21st century.’
The complete TBWC Australia Series line-up includes:
- Black Gate 3YO Single Malt – $255.00
- Belgrove 4YO Rye – $299.00
- Tin Shed 3YO Single Malt – $215.00
- Fleurieu 3YO Single Malt – $190.00 (exclusive in Australia to The Oak Barrel)
- Killara 2YO Single Malt – $375.00
- Riverbourne 3YO Single Malt – $239.00
- Starward 3YO Single Malt – $179.00
- Bakery Hill 5YO Single Malt – $299.00
That Boutique-y Rum Company will also release two Australian rums to complement the range:
- Black Gate 3YO Old – £65.95
- Riverbourne 3Yo Old – £68.95
All of the bottlings in the Australia Series feature age statements, a standard practice for Boutique-y whiskies, but something that’s less common for many Australian producers.
‘We’re not shy about putting 11 month old spirit on a label,’ says McGoram. ‘We did a one year old Milk & Honey bottling from Israel for instance… We’re always happy to state the age of the whiskies we bottle.’
That means the Killara single malt bottling, also the most expensive in the range, has been labelled as ‘single malt spirit’ – UK regulations mandate a minimum three year maturation period.
TBWC Killara 2YO single malt. Photo – Supplied
But Killara owner Kristy Booth-Lark says she’s particularly proud of this bottling.
‘… It is the first Killara Whisky that is available to the international market and one of the first 100 litre (quarter casks) that were decanted and I especially love the label. There has been a huge rise of popularity in Australian whisky both domestically and internationally and it is exciting to be able to showcase this whisky to the world with Boutique-y.’
Andrew Baker, Bakery Hill’s chief operating officer, told Oz Whisky Review they were thrilled with the whisky selected, the oldest in the range, and the artwork for the bottling.
‘David Baker particularly loved it, because he reckoned the cartoon makes him look younger! So we’re really excited by it. This is just another step for us to bring the Bakery Hill story and brand more into the forefront of people’s minds as we lead into moving the distillery later in the year.’
TBWC Bakery Hill 5YO single malt. Photo – Supplied
Speaking on the Belgrove bottling in the series, Peter Bignell said: ‘The label is great fun and informative, and I love the ABV they have cut this bottling to. It has highlighted a sweetness which has balanced the typical spicy notes of Belgrove Rye.’
The series also includes bottlings from Starward, Riverbourne, Fleurieu and Black Gate.
On the Black Gate bottling, McGoram said:
‘In taking a couple of casks of Black Gate, we’re bottling something like 12 per cent of their annual output!… So they’re not huge releases, but part of the appeal in being involved is exposing these whiskies to the UK through Master of Malt and Hard to Find Whiskies and The Whisky Exchange. Europe as well was a key market that these distillers wanted to get some exposure in.’
TBWC Black Gate 5YO single malt. Photo – Supplied
Prior to the release, Sam Simmons and Dave Worthington, Boutique-y’s global ambassador, will host a virtual masterclass introducing the range on the 21st of April.
The full line-up will then be available globally and in Australia from the 23rd of April, with Australian retailers The Oak Barrel, Old Barrel House, Nicks Wine Merchants and other independent retailers offering whiskies from the range.