Made in recognition of a time when Australian Brandies were referred to as “Hospital Brandies” due to their perceived medicinal benefits - a belief largely held by physicians, with the Lancet printing in 1899 "[Brandy is] universally regarded as superior—from a medicinal point of view".
G.B. Fookes' version was aged for up to ten years in the Barossa. It was then blended and bottled by the Alchemy Craft Distillery based in the Yarra Valley. The average age of the blend is five years old, so it's close to VSOP cognac in terms of barrel time.
Tasting note:Bright gold. The aroma evokes prunes, fruit bread, raisin toast, light cinnamon and white pepper. Soft and accessible with attractive, light to middle-weight dried fruit flavours, finishing spicy, fresh and grappa-like. Dried apricot and hints of pepper through the aftertaste. 40% Alc./Vol.