Sullivans Cove Navigator 16 Year Old Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml)

A whisky profile that's more about elegance than power. Sleek, soft, medium-bodied, initially sweet then more linear, integrated, malty and fruity in a slightly tropical way, hinting at feijoa and papaya with suggestions of mineral and spice at the finish. The equivalent of a fine Chardonnay in the Australian whisky pantheon, perhaps? Very good and better rounded than many single casks from this distillery. 1372 bottles at 47.2% make up the release.

Notes from the producers... Where many whiskies are framed as after-dinner indulgences, Navigator looks elsewhere: to long lunches, shared plates, seafood pairings and unhurried conversation. It reflects the original gastronomic vision that inspired the distillery’s founding on Hobart’s historic waterfront. Full-bodied and textural, with an oily, creamy mouthfeel that gives weight, richness and presence across the palate. Bright lemon and broad orange bring lift, layered over vanilla, buttery shortbread, walnut and gentle spice. A subtle briney undertone runs through the whisky and into a long, viscous finish, where tropical fruit, nougat and soft converge. That interplay of oiliness, citrus brightness and savoury salinity makes it a natural partner for seafood - from freshly shucked oysters and sashimi to grilled scallops, lobster, or rich white fish finished with butter and lemon. Says Heather Tillott, Director of Whisky Creation "American Oak refill and first-fill Bourbon casks have delivered a whisky of texture, balance and nuance.”