Review: Sullivans Cove Winter Feast 2023 The Witches Brew

Luke McCarthy -
Whisky Reviews
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Another Witches Brew from Sullivans Cove head distiller Heather Tillott. The annual Sullies Dark Mofo unleashes Tillott’s exceptional blending skills, and here she marries together cask types of different ages and styles, including some old and even left of centre stock that wouldn’t easily fit into Sullivans Cove’s normal programming.

All proceeds from this release have generously been donated to the Live for Lily foundation, an organization raising awareness and funds for research into child cancers, which is great to see.

  • Sullivans Cove Winter Feast 2023 Witches Brew Single Malt Whisky
    The Stats
    • ABV: 55.2%
    • Price Band: $ $ $ $ $
    • Style: Single malt whisky
    • Production Story: Distilled at Sullivans Cove Distillery, blended together from a variety of different casks, and released for Dark Mofo's Winter Feast 2023. 123 bottles in total.
    • Location: Cambridge, TAS
    • Score: 88
    Nose
    Very different to the normally mellow and composed Sullivans experience. This is a little sulphurous to start, a distillate trait not commonly seen in the older core range bottlings. Olive oil and buttery chardonnay vibes. Cinnamon, pepper and cloves. Big cereal malt on show as well.
    Palate
    More integrated and more Sullivans here. Thick and creamy. Butterscotch, Manuka honey, macadamia and hints of wine, black tea and citrus. The sulphury elements on the nose have been really well integrated here. With water, found more fruits and florals.
    Finish
    Long and textural. Plenty of carry, depth and grunge.
    Comments
    I really dig these Witches Brew bottlings. This exhibits that signature sulphur funk, which has been tempered by some complex, creamy malt components. It’s a peek behind the curtains at some of Sullivans less perfect casks, but some of the signature distillate traits really shine through. Good fun.
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.