Heartwood Convict Release Batch 1HH0613 Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)

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. The variety of barrel types include Bourbon and Australian Port and Sherry.

'Convict Release' was matured in a Port cask, distilled May 2001 and bottled in December 2012.

[Batch1 HH0613 tasted] Deep brassy copper colour. The nose is unusual. The opening notes are diminished by a pickled onion characteristic that remains the focus even after ample aeration. Five minutes in the glass releases dark chocolate and a trace of sulphur. The palate is big, spicy, mildly prickly and slightly hot as well as bittersweet with hints of the cask’s previous contents, in this case, Port, contributing some fruit cake like notes. Mildy rubbery finish as the spices persist with hints of dried fruit followed by a late cocoa fade. Tasted the next day, the pickled onion note seemed to be less assertive. Perhaps this whisky just needs a very long decant? 58% Alc./Vol.