Dan Murphy's Cellar

With the 2013 release named ‘World Whisky of the Year’ in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015, this is a hugely anticipated release of sherried Japanese whisky. There are just 6500 bottles available worldwide.

This is the first ever 60-year-old release by this iconic family-owned distillery. Matured in a first-fill sherry butt, it has an incredibly dark mahogany colour and aromas of vibrant dried fruits, demerara sugar, spice as well as oaky tannins, as would be expected of a whisky of this venerable age. The palate exudes rich treacle, bitter coffee and espresso notes and the finish – according to the producers – lasts for 20 minutes! The bespoke cut crystal decanter and stopper it placed inside a presentation box shaped like a hexagon to represent the six generations of the Grant family. Only 360 bottles were released worldwide.

This is officially the world’s oldest whisky. On 17th November 1939, John Urquhart, the first generation of the family to be involved in Gordon & MacPhail, instructed the first-fill Sherry cask to be filled with new-make spirit from Speyside’s Mortlach Distillery. Seventy-five years later, the cask was emptied and the precious amber liquid was carefully transferred into beautiful crystal decanters. With notes of dried apricots and pomegranate, followed by hints of spice and creamy vanilla, the latest release to the luxury Generations range has a smooth and lingering smoky finish, which remains long after the dram has been savoured. Founded in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail is known the world over as the custodian of some of the oldest and rarest single malts. The fourth generation of the Urquhart family involved in the business, uphold the same traditions and dedication to whisky that embedded in the company’s philosophy since it was first established.

Tasmania is often considered pioneers of whisky distillation in Australia, not in small part due to Sullivan’s Cove. The Tasmanian single malt pioneers who won the coveted ‘Producer of the Year’ title at the World Whisky Awards in 2015 for ‘Icons of Whisky – Rest of World’. This distiller is worth seeking out for its American Cask Single Malt, Double Cask Australian Single Malt and French Cask Single Malt.

Sullivan’s Cove awards include: French Oak Best Australian Single Malt World Whiskies Awards 2015 Best Australian Single Malt 12 Years and Under World Whiskies Awards 2015 The World’s Best Single Malt World Whiskies Awards 2014 Best Australian Single Malt World Whiskies Awards 2014 Australasian Single Malt Whisky of the Year Wizards of Whisky 2014 Australasian Whisky of the Year Wizards of Whisky 2014

American Oak Liquid Gold Award 95.5/100 Cask HH0047 Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015 Best Australian Single Malt 13 to 20 Years World Whiskies Awards 2015 Double Gold San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2014