The Story
Since its founding in 2017, Manly Spirits Co., located near the popular beach-side suburb of Manly in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, has produced a wide range of successful gins, vodkas and liqueurs.
But making a single malt whisky was always one of the primary goals for founders David Whittaker, a chemical engineer, and Vanessa Wilton, an experienced marketer and designer (see our interview with the founders). The pair have called Manly home for decades, and they’ve been successfully bottling up a taste of the area with the spirits they produce.
In developing their whisky, that same passion for capturing the flavours of their region was front and centre. Getting started was made a little easier thanks to their location – breweries line the area surrounding the distillery and cellar door bar. 4 Pines Brewery assisted with their early mashing and fermentation, but the team have since moved to brewing and fermenting their own wash onsite.
They start by mashing Australian ale malt. The wort is then given a slow five day minimum ferment using a blend of yeasts to convert the sugars. Wash is then double distilled through their two tall-necked pot stills capturing a clean and fruity spirit. The intention is to create a new make that leans to the refined side of the spectrum, and the team are determined to ensure that spirit isn’t overridden by cask influence with their whisky program moving forward.
Initially, spirit was filled into re-coopered 100 litre casks from Tas Cask Co. But David Whittaker has since filled full size Bourbon barrels and 300 litre ex-apera and tawny casks. Wine casks will also feature in Manly Spirits future whiskies, and a number of ex-beer casks, including a ginger beer matured whisky, are also in the pipeline.
The first Manly Spirits Co. whiskies were released in August 2021 through the Coastal Stone Element Series range. Five single malts matured in different casks types were unveiled as part of the first release series, and the Coastal Stone brand will continue to draw inspiration from their location on Sydney’s coast line.
Following the first release series, the team have told us the plan is to develop a consistent, constantly available whisky from a vatting of suitable casks. Further experimental releases are also being trialled, including seaweed and wild mushroom smoked whisky casks.
Whiskies Reviewed:
Core range:
Coastal Stone Nor’easter Single Malt Whisky
Limited releases:
Manly Spirits Co. Coastal Stone Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky (First Release)