Review: Ned Grand Reward Australian Whisky

Luke McCarthy -
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The latest release from Melbourne’s Ned Whisky, and set to become the pinnacle of their range. For this bottling, select parcels of Ned’s corn whisky are extra matured in Australian tawny barrels ‘sourced from Kelly Country’ (Rutherglen?) and bottled at 50%, or 100 proof in ‘Merica.

This is Ned moving down the well-trodden path to success spearheaded by high proof Bourbons like Blantons and Bookers – Upshot Cask Strength and Tiger Snake Cask Strength are two brilliant Australian corn whiskies in the same vein.

Every Ned I’ve tried at a higher proof has really appealed, no doubt due to the easy going Maker’s Mark-ish mash bill (Maker’s Cask Strength is one of my all-time favourites). Interested to see how this bottling shapes up over the next few years as it’s looking pretty decent already. The first batch (318 bottles) sold out quickly and the next one is due out in the first half of 2024.

  • Ned Whisky Grand Reward Australian Whisky
    The Stats
    • ABV: 50%
    • Price Band: $ $ $ $ $
    • Style: Corn whisky
    • Production Story: Distilled at Ned Whisky Distillery from a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% wheat and 10% barley. For the Grand Reward, select parcels of Ned's corn whisky are further matured in Australian tawny barrels. Released December 2023. 318 bottles in total.
    • Location: Melbourne, VIC
    • Score: 86
    Nose
    A little closed and tight at first, then treacle, creamed corn and dates. Benefits from some time in glass. Eventually, the cereals poke through and it opens out into raspberries and dark chocolate. Wait a little longer and the first flashes of ripe fruit and almonds from the tawny arrive.
    Palate
    Richer and chewier than expected. Tobacco and a pleasant leathery, licorice note. Dried coconut and cherries from the American oak. A little youthful underneath, but well integrated overall. Actually found this improved with a few drops of water (and here I've been talking up the high proof stuff).
    Finish
    Great length and depth. Big Red Gum and nutty tawny on the tail.
    Comments
    Ned at a higher ABV definitely sings, and there's a lot to like here. I wonder if the base whisky could be held slightly longer in cask to iron out some of the youthful moments. But the tawny finish has been really well managed - it's not overbearing in the slightest (which is often the Australian way). I guess it's not the intention, but this would make a cracking cocktail whisky - perfect in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. A sound package overall, especially for the price ($120), and it will definitely improve in future iterations. One to watch if the style is up your alley.
How We Score
Luke McCarthy
Luke McCarthy is the editor and publisher of Oz Whisky Review. An independent writer, author and drinks columnist, Luke's written about whisky and spirits for numerous Australian and international publications and is a judge at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards. His book, The Australian Spirits Guide, the first to tackle the history and resurgence of the Australian spirits industry, was published in 2016 by Hardie Grant Books.