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Heartwood Release the Beast Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (500ml)

Tasmania, AUSTRALIA
$499. 00
Bottle
$5988.00 Dozen
ABV: 65.4%

The "Heartwood" venture commenced in 1999 and represents a selection of casks, several containing some of Australia's oldest Tasmanian Whisky stocks, owned by Tim Duckett. "Release the Beast" is the aptly named second release that's finished in a Sherry cask, distilled Nov 2004/ June 2005 and bottled in early August 2012. According to Tim Duckett's account, the whisky's 'elevage' followed an interesting regime: "It was initially matured in casks LD124 and LD214 (being 100ltr port casks) and matured for three years – standard Lark treatment. It was subsequently married into Cask LD549 (being a 200ltr Australian Sherry cask) and matured for a further 4 years – Sherry Finish is a strange term when applied to this regime. Tortured – left outside, left next to a 'warm' wall, moved to top of the stacks. Seven years maturation is perhaps understating the true extent of the aging on this one".
Last few in stock, once it's gone, it's gone.

Tasting note: Deep copper / gold ochre appearance. A penetrating peppery sniff prickles the nostrils gradually releasing notes of honey, almond flan, vanilla and traces of brown sugar but avoids being overly sweet. A faint suggestion of sulphur is subtle enough to be a complexing factor and rounds off a terrific bouquet. Entry is deceptively light and off dry, before an achingly intense, bitter-sweet attack hits the palate - spices explode in the mouth alongside hints of toffee apple and vanillan oak. Tingly, warming mouth feel. Good balance. The bitterness diminishes at the finish as hints of candied orange peel, dark chocolate and caramel emerge with excellent persistence. Wow! (There are some resemblances to top flight, high proof Bourbon here). As one of the most exciting Australian whiskies produced to date, this powerhouse effort from Tim Duckett will get your heart racing. Bravo! 65.4 alc/vol

Other reviews... In the immortal words of a close mate of mine whose  name just escapes me…F*k Me Tommy!? ?Where the hell has this come from?  Are you serious…Tasmania!??? I thought the last Heartwood release was the best Tassie malt I’ve seen, well I take it back as this monster takes the cake.  Christmas Cake that is.?? This is one massive malt, initially I thought it just smelt like a big, fat old fashioned Rutherglen muscat, but no, I’m now thinking of those old, old style Scottish sherried Speysiders.  Big, fat and rich, loads of dried fruits, honeycomb, cream caramel, lush malt, old Oloroso and muscat notes.  Just a hint of furniture polish.  Big and expressive, but enough allure to really drag your nose in.??You sure this is an Aussie?  No pickled onion juice here.??Then you take a sip….and I do recommend a sip…Kaaaa -boom!?? Get over it and concentrate: massively intensive, loads of honeycomb, creamy malt, died fruits and lush oak (just what I said above) but Wow!  What attack.  But what balance, there’s a hit load of alcohol, but it’s not hot or burning…but it’s big and so is the flavour behind it.  It certainly needs it.  And did I mention how sweet it is?  Massive again.?? Second time around, the mouthfeel goes from narrow, rapier like to a bit more expansive.  And one point of criticism, after the massive sweet entry, there’s mid palate fullness, but the end tails off a tad.  But that honeyed, dried fruitiness and rich oak just lingers.  I’m still tasting it after 5 or so minutes.??In a word unbelievable…and if you’re thinking about adding water…just go buy a 40% Glen Nothing and scoff that if this offends…. - Graham Wright, Whisky Importer and Enthusiast.size>