Sullivan’s Cove ‘French Oak’

This Tasmanian Sullivan’s Cove was finished in French Oak port wine casks. It is bottled as a single cask, varying between 11 and 12 years old. It won various awards, e.g. ‘Best Australian Whisky’ at the 2013 World Whiskies Awards, and even ‘World’s Best Single Malt Whisky’ at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards. Although I have to repeat my annoyance with awards and their inability (or deliberate unwillingness) to state which cask they’ve tried exactly (as this whisky is always bottled as a single cask).

Sullivan’s Cove ‘French Oak’ (47,5%, OB +/- 2012, HH436)

Nose: big fresh oak shavings, nice vanilla cream and lots of apple compote with cinnamon. Gooseberries and pineapples. Some powder sugar and wine gums. Subtle nutty notes. Despite the newish oak this is a very attractive nose, definitely better than the Double Cask.

Mouth: very sweet and candied. Bags of Haribo bears. Mashed banana. Toffee and caramel. Traces of mango and coconut cream. Toasted oak. Also cake notes and a little white pepper, but the sweetness is overpowering.

Finish: quickly fading, still very sweet but with a leathery / planky edge.

This is the better Sullivan’s Cove in my book. Not perfect – I doubt there weren’t better single malts this year. Noticeably young as well, but quite enjoyable and friendly. Around € 80 (too expensive, I think).

Score: 85/100