Will this be the year when we hit that nebulous ‘new normal’? Whatever happens, 2022 is shaping up to be a massive year for the Australian whisky scene.
With the whisky calendar starting to firm up, here’s our annual round-up of what to keep on your radar this year.
First release whiskies
Several new Australian whisky producers will enter the game with their first whiskies in 2022.
Up on the Far North Coast of New South Wales, Winding Road Distilling Co. will soon launch their first single malt whisky after putting out a suite of successful rums. Seven different malts have been used in the mash, a growing trend in Australia, and the whisky has reportedly been matured in ex-shiraz casks.
A little further north, we’ve heard that Cape Byron Distillery, makers of Brookie’s Gin, will likely launch their inaugural single malt whisky this year.
And the rumour mill also has it that St Agnes Distillery in Renmark, Australia’s top brandy producer, will release their first single malt this year after first laying down spirit way back in 2016.
Another one we’re really excited about is Waubs Harbour Whisky coming out of Bicheno on Tasmania’s stunning east coast. The distillery team, which includes Rob Polmear, formerly of Overeem and Lark, will launch its first release preview series Tuesday 15 February.
St Agnes Distillery, Renmark
New whiskies
Lark Distilling’s 30th anniversary will no doubt coincide with a number of celebratory bottlings.
The Whisky Club kicked off proceedings with their Lark 30th Anniversary Edition bottling, and we’ve heard that there’s plenty of other Lark Distilling anniversary whiskies on the way (we’re a little daunted by how many there might be).
The Whisky Club – YouTube
Archie Rose Distilling have kicked off the year with the release of their Red Gum Smoked Single Malt Whisky. It’s the latest in their Trials and Exceptions range and will be followed by a Stringybark Smoked Single Malt Whisky due later in the year.
On the same theme, Backwoods will have their next batch of rye whisky matured in red gum casks out in April, for those who missed out on a taste of these polarising whiskies last year.
We’re also starting to see more and more new whisky releases solely matured in ex-Bourbon casks, something many in the industry have been calling out for.
The Aisling Distillery will soon release their first Bourbon cask matured malt. Manly Spirits Co. have just put out their Coastal Stone Bourbon Cask whisky, the latest in their Element Series. And from what Eddie Brook has told us, Cape Byron Distillery’s first release whisky mentioned above will likely be matured in ex-Bourbon casks as well. A trend to watch.
Photo – Archie Rose Distilling Co
On the independent bottling front, Heartwood/TIB are set to release a stack of new whiskies this year. Follow the Duckett’s persistent social media antics for the latest.
Spirit Thief and Dan Woolley’s Highwayman also have a suite of new whiskies coming in 2022. I’ve also heard that more international independent bottlers, particularly UK-based, will be releasing Australian whiskies this year, which is super exciting.
Distillery openings
One of the biggest new distillery openings of the year will be Sullivans Cove’s relocation to their new Hobart site, back towards the actual cove, at Huon Quays. All going to plan, the distillery will be moved and reopened before the end of the year.
The other major relocation is Bakery Hill Distillery’s move to their new Kensington site in inner Melbourne. We’ve reported on this move once or twice before, but now everything is properly on track, and the Bakery Hill team are hoping to be up and running by mid-year.
Great Southern/Limeburners are also hoping to open their next home of whisky and gin in the Swan Valley just outside Perth by the end of 2022. Highwayman-HQ was also recently opened by Dan Woolley in Byron Bay for those keen on bespoke masterclasses with the man himself.
Artist impression of the new Sullivans Cove Distillery at Huon Quays
Competitions and awards
I’m not sure there’s room for more whisky and spirits awards competitions, but I don’t think that’ll stop more from materialising.
The World Whiskies Awards are still the competition most closely followed by pundits, and interestingly, they’ve updated they’re entry definitions and requirements for the latest round of judging.
A number of whiskies being entered into competitions these days don’t meet traditional whisky definitions (something we’ll have more to say on further into the year), and the move is likely aimed at stopping entrants from trying to game the awards. After the regional results are completed in coming months, the final World Whiskies Awards ceremony usually takes place in May.
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (entries close March 11), and the International Wine and Spirits Competition (whisky results announced in late March) are the other major international competitions to stay across.
In Australia, established comps like the Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (disclosure: some of the Oz Whisky Review team are judges), Tasting Australia Spirit Awards and the Drink Easy awards will all run and conclude in coming months.
The Australian Whisky Awards, launched by the Australian Whisky Appreciation Society, have gathered more momentum since last year’s inaugural event, and this year’s results will soon be announced at the gala dinner on February 21st.
Drink Easy Awards
Events and festivals
We’re crossing our fingers that whisky festivals and events will be able to take place without interruption this year, because there’s a huge array of events to stay across in 2022.
There’s The Whisky Show events happening in most major Australian cities, likewise the numerous Whisky Live shows.
Interestingly, both Sydney and Melbourne now have their own ‘whisky weeks’, where events and tastings coincide with seven days of whisky revelry.
After repeated interruptions, Tasmanian Whisky Week (August) will no doubt be a big one this year, as will The Sydney Whisky Fair.
We were lucky to attend the Whisky Abbey event in Melbourne last year as well. It was a brilliant showcase of lesser-known distilleries and bottlers, and we’re looking forward to this year’s iteration.
This is no doubt just a snippet of what’s to come in the Australian whisky scene in 2022, so stay tuned for all the latest happenings as we bring them to you throughout the year.