Cape Byron Chardonnay Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)

Going by the flavour profile of Cape Byron's Original, Chardonnay casks would seem like a logical progression. Aromatically this needs time to reveal its fruity best, developing with ripe peaches, pineapple upside pudding and light vanilla. Compared to the Original expression, some of the fullness of the mouthfeel is checked, but the fruity-malty aspects melt into a buttery, sweet nutty character - presumably bestowed by the barrels - and by the finish, there's an impressively complex build-up of pineapple pudding, pistachio nuts, biscuity malt, balancing astringency and warming alcohol that lasts. It's equal to its sibling, taking the Original on a different but highly complementary trajectory. 1550 bottles are on offer. 48% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Batch 001 tasted.

Notes from the producers... The palate exudes decadent notes of chocolate and hazelnut praline, layered over distinct characteristics of raisin, baked apples and maple.