The Lark Distillery 2020 Christmas Cask Release Single Malt Australian Whisky (500ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

A limited edition of 3500 bottles, the 'Christmas Cask Release' sees Tassie whisky matured in casks that previously contained Tasmanian red wine and fruit jus (used by a local patisserie for making fruit mince pies). Instead of using Lark's own whisky, single malt was sourced from Old Hobart Distillery, selected especially for its bright floral orchard fruit notes. This style was considered a better match for the stewed fruits, Christmas spices and plum pudding contribution of the Christmas fruit pie casks. Lark explain, "It was like drizzling a Christmas pudding with warm custard and cooked, spiced apples."

Tasted from a 15ml sample, the barrel input in this release is significant, to the extent that it literally smells and tastes like Christmas fruit cake or fruit mince pie, with vanilla malt and caramel in tow. The aromas and flavours are convincing, but the malt feels swamped, pushing this in the direction of a whisky liqueur. 45% Alc./Vol.