Whipper Snapper Upshot Australian Whiskey (700ml)

Remember the 'Crazy Uncle' moonshines from several years back? They were prototype 'bourbons' made by brothers-in-law, Alasdair Malloch and James McKeown at the East Perth based Whipper Snapper distillery. This is their first extended barrel aged whiskey - hand crafted from 100% West Australian grains (72% corn, 14% malted barley, and 14% wheat) and aged for at least two years in heavily charred barrels. Varnishy whiffs dissipate to reveal scents of fresh sawn American oak, light caramel fudge and cinnamon. Wood-derived flavours are most salient: vanilla and honey are followed by hints of dried coconut, closing with crisp oak and bubblegum late in the fade. A baby bourbon with significant oak input. 43% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Upshot Australian Corn Whiskey is one of the very-few bourbon-style whiskies produced in Australia. Upshot is made in the 'wheated' style, in which the small amount of rye grain usually included in a bourbon-style whisky recipe is replaced with wheat (Maker’s Mark being the most famous example), generally offering a slightly softer palate that tends to take long-term maturation well. Upshot is aged in virgin American oak casks, offering plenty of bright, nutty wood on the nose along with powerful notes of Italian espresso. The soft, sweet palate carries the oak well, and there’s a lovely gentle warmth and toastiness on the finish that speaks to excellent cask management. As a single cask whisky, there will be variation from bottle to bottle, and this sample is perhaps not as complex as some of its American kin, but Upshot is nonetheless an important whisky in the Aussie stable and well worth a try for any bourbon lover. 90 points - FRe Siggins, winecompanion.com