Sullivans Cove is an Australian Distillery based near Hobart in the island state of Tasmania. Famous for its clear air, some of the best water in the world and the concentration of Australia’s whisky industry, Sullivan’s cove definitely has access to all of Australia’s best ingredients to become a world class distillery of fine whisky.
Production considered small by Scottish and American Whisky/Whiskey distillery standards, this Tasmanian distillery has been able to produce whisky that has caught the world’s attention and even picked up a few major awards along the way, in particular the French Oak won the title of World Whisky of the Year for 2014, the only whisky produced outside of Scotland and Japan to win this award. This threw this boutique distillery onto the world stage!
So popular is this distillery that in 2014 it moved to a new building which is four times bigger and an interesting fact is that in 2010 the distillery bought a discussed train tunnel, which provides a cooler and a more even temperature control to warehouse all its precious barrels during the maturation stage.
Sullivan’s cove range includes the Double Cask (60% American and 40% French Oak), American Oak (ex-bourbon) and the French Oak (ex-port). An interesting stat contributing to why our international friends might not have heard much about this whisky is that apparently Sullivans Cove sells 90% of its whiskies domestically.
Tasting Notes from website:
NOSE: Full rich dark chocolate with cinnamon, orange peel, hazelnut and liquorice mint
PALATE: Rich and sweet front palate with flavors of chocolate, pepper, toffee and fruit cake
FINISH: Long lingering finish of dried dark fruit and dark chocolate
Link: Sullivans Cove Website
I have to admit this is one of my most anticipated whiskies I’ve been waiting to try, and it didn’t disappoint. Rich, spicy, fruity and full bodied it was like getting hit with a train full of flavors! The finish…. just didn’t finish! At only 15 years, this whisky has an amazing amount of character and depth which I can see why this whisky is so popular! I At 47.5% alcohol volume it does pack a punch and maybe a drop or two of water is recommended for some people.
However… one problem I had with it was the nosing… it was light… very light… I love a whisky which has a good nose because its getting two for one… a nosing and tasting, however I felt or was bedazzled how the whisky with such flavor and character not have a corresponding nose… disappointed… but still impressed.
So let’s talk value for money… when I first saw this bottle on the shelf it was a mere $135 AUD… oh how I wished I purchase a couple of bottles… at the time of purchase it was up around $350 and most recently a couple of weeks the price is now $400. This is from the Distillery website… let’s not even talk about what other stores are selling it for, or if it even has it in stock… which from sources tell me you need to match the moon cycle to the day Santa gives his elves a day off and then if you pray to the god of whiskies you might be able to pay $400 for a bottle! I am of course joking… but I am not fair off from the truth. Oh don’t forget postage… an extra $17!
Back to the point of value… well of course not… at $17 AUD a shot and imagine how much they would charge at a bar! But you can’t look at it this way… it’s definitely not one that you would drink every day. However if it’s a special occasion and you wanted to celebrate or to remember an occasion/somebody… This would make a memorable and a fitting tribute to anything you would want to toast, just ensure you sip very very very… slowly! It’s definitely a “collectors” item.
Modified Google Map: With the distillery being so close to the airport, the question arises do you even bother with visiting Hobart?
One point I like to make is that remember Australia has a very different environment from Scotland. Remember my review on the Amrut Fusion where we talked about Angel’s share and in the Scottish environment an expected 2% angels share is lost per year, but in a humid environment like Australia could be as high as 11% however it is noted that Tasmania is the most southerly state in Australia. The point I would like to make is that for example if we take a 200L cask and take a modest 3.5% angel’s share per year over 15 years roughly that is around 78L paid for angel’s tax! That’s roughly 112 bottles lost, distilleries in humid countries take a bigger evaporation hit, but the whiskies mature faster, it’s a fine balance but could help explain the premium price.
To finalize this review this whisky is definitely one to try before you die; it’s a bottle for the whisky hunters out there who enjoy the hunt and thrill of finding a rare whisky. I can assure you that a fulfilling reward if you obtain a bottle!
Taste: 9.3
Price: $$$$
Cost per shot: $17.8
Rarity: Pray to the whisky gods and then start saving!
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May 2016
- May 4, 2016 Ardbeg Uigeadail May 4, 2016
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April 2016
- Apr 22, 2016 Glen Orrin 30 Years Apr 22, 2016
- Apr 15, 2016 Hakushu 12 Years SMW Apr 15, 2016
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March 2016
- Mar 28, 2016 Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky Mar 28, 2016
- Mar 22, 2016 World Whiskies Awards 2016 Mar 22, 2016
- Mar 18, 2016 Glen Grant 10 Years Mar 18, 2016
- Mar 11, 2016 Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask Mar 11, 2016
- Mar 4, 2016 The Macallan 12 years Sherry Cask Mar 4, 2016
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February 2016
- Feb 26, 2016 Monkey Shoulders Blended Malt Feb 26, 2016
- Feb 19, 2016 Whisky 101 - Understanding the Label Feb 19, 2016
- Feb 12, 2016 Amrut Fusion SMW Feb 12, 2016
- Feb 8, 2016 Lagavulin 16 Years Old Feb 8, 2016
- Feb 7, 2016 The Yamazaki Single Malt 12 years old Feb 7, 2016