What's New

Matured in French oak barriques for 16 months of which 50% were new. Dense inky black heart showing tremendous saturation of colour with a deep dark purple black hue. Wafting through the nostrils are heady scents of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum followed by vanillin cedar, hints of black cherry, fennel and light pepper. Rich and velvety the full bodied palate is awash with opulent blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin oak, fennel, subtle dark chocolate and spice sit in the background. Silky smooth tannins nonetheless provide a sturdy spine. Finishes long powerful and seductive.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Impenetrable inky black heart with a deep dark purple black hue. Intense black cherry, blackberry and liquorice scents fill the nostrils followed by notes of vanillin cedar, earthy dark chocolate and pepper. Rich with a deep well of fruit on show, the palate sports an opulent flavour profile of dark plum, dark to black cherries and liquorice over toasty vanillin oak, earth and peppered dried herb characters. Still managing to show some polish is a robust tannin structure. The aftertaste long and generous.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 14.9%

Other Reviews….
Hand-picked fruit from 3 vineyards, each parcel kept separate. Crushed and destemmed. Racked off gross lees and into barrel for mlf and maturation in French barriques (28% new). Contains a powerful fruit component from ancient Cambrian soil, which helps explain the generosity, energy and textural intrigue in this wine. Packed with blackberry, dark chocolate and dried herbs. Rolls out across the palate with an earthy warmth and fine tannic edge. One to age. Drink by 2027.
95 points
Jeni Port – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

Deep dark red core with black tinged edges and a dark red hue. Aromas of spicy dark cherries mix with earth, tobacco and dried herb notes. Medium bodied, bright dark cherry fruits sit over a back drop of earth, spicy vanillin cedar and dried herbs. Dryish finish with slightly chalky tannins and a spicy dark fruited aftertaste that shows good vibrancy.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14%

Midnight black in colour with a deep dark red black tinged hue. Jumping out of the glass are aromatics of plum, liquorice and freshly crushed blackberries which meld with vanillin cedar, light graphite and blackpepper. Rich with a juicy feel, spicy ripe plum, crushed blackberries and liquorice are underscored by vibrant acidity and inky tannins. Vanillin cedar, light earth and pepper make an appearance on the back half. Concludes with a bright, generously fruited aftertaste that’s laced with blackpepper.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 14.5%

Inky black in colour with a dark red black tinged hue. Ripe dark plum, blackberry and liquorice aromas stem from the glass followed by vanillin cedar, light fennel, earth and pepper. Full in body with a stern underbelly of firm tannins, the structured palate is layered with blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits. Vanillin cedar, dusty earth and spicy pepper nuances ensue on the back half. Muscular feel with some tannic grip to the long sturdy aftertaste.
Cellar 6-8 years.
Alc. 13.5%

Other Reviews….
Crushed and destemmed, 8-day ferment, 14 days post-ferment maceration, 17-18 months in French oak, (33% new). Full-bodied blackberry/black cherry fruits and substantial tannins need some years yet to resolve and let the fruit shine. Drink by 2041.
95 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion

Former Springbank Master Distiller with Scotch Industry legend, Dr. Jim Swan kick off a new chapter in Morris's 160 year history.

Founded in 1859 and best known for their award-winning fortified wines, Morris of Rutherglen are now making whisky. Given the company's access to high quality barrels, it makes sense. The family hasn't cut any corners since the inception of the project in 2016. Their dream team originally consisted of Master Distiller, John McDougall, a widely-respected whisky maker with experience at Balvenie, Laphroaig and Springbank. The late Dr Jim Swan, famous for his work with STR casks at Kavalan, Kilchoman et al, was also a key consultant and worked with McDougall on honing the barrel and toasting regimes. Currently, Darren Peck (ex-Diageo) is Head Distiller having worked under the tutelage of McDougall for the last five years.

At the heart of the process is a restored hybrid copper pot and column still - none other than the original installed at Morris's in the early 1930s used for producing base spirits for fortified wines. High quality barley is sourced locally. Add a private cooperage and a warm/cool day/night maturation environment combined with reasonable sell prices and Morris are setting the standard high.

The first releases include a 'Signature' label and a Muscat Barrel finished malt, initially matured in a combination of French and American oak x-wine barrels. Both entries were awarded gold medals at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (it should be noted that these were slightly higher abv variants for the US market). The recent SIP Awards in the US (May 2021) also recognised their quality, with the Signature being awarded Platinum, and the Muscat a Double Gold. For collectors, these first releases may carry some significance in years to come. For the Morris family, they mark a new chapter in a 160 year history.

Tasting note: Deep topaz to brass gold. More expressive on the nose than the ‘Signature’ bottling, this adds some red berry wine character to the toasty malt, the aroma bearing a passing resemblance to lamingtons or berry tarts. Well managed wine input creates a film of sweet dried fruits over the barley, coating the mouth and extending the finish. Powdery tannins and a spicy flourish check the sugars. Rounds off with medjool dates and a mild gingery warmth. Stays with you. Nicely done. 46% Alc./Vol.

Notes from the producers... COLOUR: Deep rich copper with reddish hues. NOSE: Rich with dates, figs and sweetness of dark molasses. PALATE: Well balanced and complex. Dried fig, sweet malt, vanilla and spices with creamy mouth feel. FINISH: Superb oak influence, lovely finish with satisfying after taste that lingers on the palate.

A follow up to the very successful 'Peated Port Wood'. This non peated version spent a finishing period in Portuguese port casks. It's not clear whether this is set to remain part of the core range. From what we can gather it's a limited edition that may not be repeated. Comes non chill filtered.

Other reviews... The rose-gold tint of this natural-color whisky serves as a visual hint of its heavy port cask influence. Dominated on the nose by butterscotch and caramelized sugar, maple syrup, pralines, candied pecans, dates, and syrupy stewed plums. A silky but weighty palate revels in raspberry jam, raisin bread, semi-sweet chocolate, toasted nuts, dark sea-salt caramel, and gentle spice, concluding with a balanced finish of raspberry-dark chocolate squares, tobacco, and ginger. 46% Alc./Vol.
91 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Susannah Skiver Barton (Spring 2021)

"The nose shows as a sherry bomb with prunes, sultanas and a touch of rancio, along with warm cherry pie topped with vanilla ice cream. The palate is rich and waxy, with clover honey, berries, ginger chews, candied orange zest and spicy oak. The finish is warming and moderate in length with milk chocolate, fruitcake and peaches in syrup." 88 points - distiller.com

Aged in 30% new French oak. Stunning colour featuring a dense inky black core and a deep dark red black hue. Streaming from the glass are perfectly ripened red to black currant fruits followed by some mulberry, subtle cedary tobacco, light earth dried herb and bay leaf scents. Classically structured, elegant red to black currant and mulberry fruits are beautifully framed by a fine grained tannin structure. Vanillin cedar, earthy tobacco characters and spicy dried herbs also chime in. Bright youthful finish with a long finessed aftertaste.
Cellar 8-10 years.
Alc. 13.9%

Other Reviews….
As with previous years, this is super-concentrated: amazing that so much flavour can be packed into a glass. Astoundingly powerful fruit, matched by the seamless integration of oak and structure. The tannins are fine, almost subliminal, and hold the fruit in check from start to finish. The natural acidity from both the cooler growing area and vintage is impressively juicy, wrapping up a sensational package. Supple, generous, layered and lingering. What a wine. Drink by 2050.
97 points
Erin Larkin – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

Rockridge Estate is the personal project of renowned Melbourne wine wholesaler, Hugh Sullivan. Fruit is sourced from the Rockridge Estate vineyard located behind the little town of Leasingham in the Southern Clare Valley and was first planted in 1948. The site’s rocky, steep slope features a red loam over limestone soil profile but local rumour has it the Rockridge Estate name in fact came from the name of the town in the Mel Brooks film ‘Blazing Saddles……

If you love rich, large scaled, opulently textured reds this delivers blockbuster value.

Matured for 15 months in American oak hogsheads. Inky black in colour with a deep dark red black hue. Intensely scented ripe blackberry and liquorice aromatics mingle with vanillin oak, hints of dark chocolate and spicy earth. Big, lush and more than ample in its density, rich blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits have a lavish mouthfeel backed by ripe, slightly chewy tannins. Toasty vanillin oak, subtle earthy dark chocolate and spice characters lie underneath. Long, plush and voluminous conclusion.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 15.5%

Bright pale straw colour with greenish tinged edges and a watery hue. Nectarine, pear and dried dried honey aromas are followed by citrusy nougat and faint crème brulee notes. Light to medium weight the palate possesses both a lively freshness and gentle creamy textural quality. Pear and citrus fruits are to the fore with subtle notions of dried honey, nougat and spice flowing onto the back half. Finishes dry with brisk acidity and an elegant aftertaste.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 13%