Well there goes another crazy year, where, once again, the Australian industry persevered and released some fantastic whiskies.
For the Oz Whisky Review team, we reckon this was the year of the independent bottler. Some momentous Australian whiskies were released by overseas firms in 2021, including That Boutique-y Whisky Company, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Adelphi and Berry Bros. & Rudd. The international whisky community is now taking serious notice of what’s happening here, bringing a whole new audience to Australian whisky.
For our top whiskies of the year, we keep things pretty simple. Our top 10 are drawn from several categories which you can see below in our ‘best of 2021’ selections. As always, there were arguments and disagreements on the final list, but the categories will give you an idea of how we arrived at our top 10.
Like last year, the specific criteria for our selection was quality of the whisky, value for money and general awesomeness.
Feel free to disagree, agree or tell us about your top whiskies of the year in whatever forum you favour.
And a huge thank you to our readers and subscribers for your interest and support this year, we really appreciate it. It’s been another massive year for the Australia whisky industry and we can’t wait for 2022.
Oz Whisky Review’s Top 10 Whisky Releases of 2021
Bakery Hill Little French Pete Single Malt Whisky 13 year old, Bakery Hill Distillery (VIC), $380
One of Australia’s most established distilleries really hitting its straps. Exceptional elegance and balance, and we can’t wait to see Bakery Hill in their new digs next year.
The Gospel Wheated Rye Whiskey, The Gospel Distillers (VIC), $130
This was our pick for the top Australian rye whiskey of the year, where a unique mash bill of 60% rye and 40% wheat led to a pretty special whisky.
Morris Muscat Single Malt Whisky, Copper & Grain Distilling Co (VIC), $140
Morris whisky was the most significant whisky launch of the year. The liquid tastes fantastic, the broader distilling and maturation program at Morris is spot on, and it’ll be fascinating to see just how far Morris whisky might travel.
Fleurieu The Jabberwocky Single Malt Whisky, Fleurieu Distillery (SA), $182
There were a number of fantastic Fleurieu single malts released this year, but this one showed Gareth and Angela Andrews’ skill in bringing together disparate elements to create a more complex whole. Callooh! Callay!
Furneaux Smoky Wedding Double Oak, Furneaux Distilling Co. (TAS), $180
Another cracking release from Furneaux Distillery on Flinders Island, home to Australia’s most ambitious peated whisky project.
Overeem 12 Year Old, Overeem Distillery (TAS), $395
Another incredible whisky from the house of Overeem. Awesome to see Bourbon casks being used to such great effect.
Tasmanian Independent Bottlers The Blend Malt & Oat #1 (TAS), $145
When it comes to independent bottling, Heartwood/TIB are on another level in Australia, and this whisky shows why. Put together with whisky from four distilleries, different cask types and peat levels, plus the oat component. A real achievement, and an incredible drinking experience.
Whipper Snapper Hungarian Oak, Whipper Snapper Distillery (WA), $250
The Whipper Snapper team had another fantastic year, releasing some brilliant corn and wheat whiskies. This was our favourite from their 2021 bottlings. Properly good.
Kinglake O’Grady’s Stand, Kinglake Distillery (VIC), $100
Kinglake’s first whisky releases have been lauded by whisky lovers and industry stalwarts alike. Complex, balanced and great value for money, Kinglake is one to watch.
Starward Single Malt Whisky 5 Year Old 2011 Adelphi (VIC/UK), $200 approx
An old world take on a new world whisky. Subtle, less fruit and cask driven than other Starward apera bottlings, and drinks like something well beyond its years. For sheer complexity, this was a standout, and it’s fantastic to see independent bottlers of the calibre of Adelphi now bottling Australian whisky.
Oz Whisky Review Best of 2021
Favourite whisky innovation:
Backwoods Rye Whisky Red Gum Cask
Yes, this isn’t to everyone’s taste, but we thought this Backwoods red gum rye was a genuine step forward in native wood matured whiskies. For innovation, we also loved 78 Degrees Australian Whiskey and Boatrocker’s Coolship Rye.
Favourite blended whisky:
Tasmanian Independent Bottlers The Blend Malt & Oat #1
For thinking outside the box, it’s hard to beat Heartwood/TIB. This was brilliantly designed and executed and tastes fantastic.
Favourite single malt:
Bakery Hill Little French Pete, Bakery Hill Distillery
Hotly contested this one. Other whiskies we had right up there were Overeem 12 Year Old, Sullivans Cove Special Cask Frontignac, Iniquity Gold Batch No. 6, Fleurieu The Jabberwocky and Killara ex-Laphroaig cask, among many others.
Favourite peated whisky:
Furneaux Smoky Wedding Double Oak, Furneaux Distilling Co.
This was a tight one, with Furneaux just getting the nod over whiskies from Black Gate, Fleurieu, Adams and Chief’s Son.
Favourite new distillery first release:
Morris Muscat Single Malt Whisky, Copper & Grain Distilling Co
Other top first releases in 2021 came from Kinglake, Bellarine, Tria Prima and Highwayman (Byron Bay malt),
Favourite independent bottling:
Starward Single Malt Whisky 5 Year Old 2011 Adelphi
It was a huge year for independent bottlings of Australian whisky. This Adelphi bottling just pipped The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Jacaranda Jam 147.1, and That Boutique-y Whisky Co’s Fleurieu Single Malt for top spot. Heartwood The Angel and The Darkness was also in the mix.
Favourite corn whisky:
Whipper Snapper Upshot Hungarian Oak
A belter from the Whipper Snapper crew. We also loved the Ord Valley Corn & Sorghum Whiskey, Tiger Snake’s recent releases and Loch Brewery’s Corn Whiskey.
Favourite grain whisky:
Upshot Wheat Whiskey, Whipper Snapper Distillery, $125
We thought the latest batch of Upshot’s Wheat Whiskey was, like last years, exceptional. Look out for the latest batch of Nonesuch Triple Grain Whiskey as well.
Favourite rye whisky:
The Gospel Wheated Rye Whiskey, The Gospel Distillers
The Gospel Projects are up there with the best whiskies being produced in Australia right now. Archie Rose, Backwoods, and Belgrove’s rye whiskies should also be on your list of ryes to try.
Favourite collaboration whisky:
Starward Octave Barrels, New World Whisky Distillery
This collaboration between Starward and Yalumba was a great representation of the growing ties between the Australian whisky and wine industries. The whisky was matured in 100 litre octave-sized casks that previously contained Yalumba’s renowned The Octavius Shiraz, and packs of the whisky where available alongside the wine.
Favourite bang for your buck whisky:
Kinglake O’Grady’s Stand Single Malt Whisky, Kinglake Distillery, $100
Honourable mentions to Morris Whisky Signature, Ned Whisky and 78 Degrees Australian Whisky.