CHAMPS IS BACK FOR 2023

AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST WHISKY TASTING AND COMPETITION. DRINK WHISKY & WIN PRIZES ON ONE HUGE NIGHT IN WINTER.

SATURDAY 24 JUNE, 2023 – ART GALLERY OF NSW

‘FOR PETE’S SAKE’

PEATED

CASK NO. G15.14

$170

Massive Oak Extraction

DEEP, RICH & DRIED FRUITS

CASK NO. RR24

$335

Limit of one bottle per Member

SPEYSIDE FESTIVAL

WEEK 2 RELEASE 12TH MAY

REGION Highland

CASK TYPE 2nd fill bourbon barrel

AGE 8 years

DATE DISTILLED 13 May 2013

OUTTURN 239 bottles

ABV 62.0%

AUS ALLOCATION 42 bottles

We found ourselves in a public laundry, or possibly even in a Scottish steamie with clean, wet woolly jumpers and woolly socks being dried over an open fire but then sparks flew and the chimney was on fire. An intensely sweet smokiness on the palate was joined by a burst of bright citrus and crisp pine flavours found in a hoppy IPA. When we added water, it was even more perplexing and fascinating as we found ourselves on an emotional high, magically transported back in time to the Woodstock musical festival of August 1969 as we listened to the band Sweetwater performing ‘For Pete’s Sake’.

REGION Speyside

CASK TYPE 1st fill Spanish oak Oloroso & American oak PX hogsheads & refill butts

AGE 14 years

DATE DISTILLED 13 October 2008

OUTTURN 2,554 bottles

ABV 63.0%

AUS ALLOCATION 144 bottles

The nose offered sherry, spiced wine and charcuterie; crème brûlée and chocolate raisin sweetness bumped into peppercorns, oak tannins and musk. Any sweetness on the palate (dark cherries in chocolate, peaches in syrup, cola, brown sugar, crêpes) was beaten into submission by massive hammerbeam oak, burnt heather, old cognac, espresso, cough medicine, cinnamon, ginger and chilli. The reduced nose found cocoa powder; then cashews, macadamias and almonds embedded in spicy fruit cake. On the palate, the sweet/tannic balance improved – now cherry lips, pain aux raisins, walnut cake and hot chocolate fudge sundae confronted aniseed balls, balsamic, PX, cardamom and pencil ends.

Viscous Velvet

OLD & DIGNIFIED

CASK NO. RR64

$279

Chocolate Sponge

JUICY, OAK & VANILLA

CASK NO. 108.67

$265

REGION Speyside

CASK TYPE 1st fill & refill Spanish oak oloroso, American oak PX & bourbon hogsheads

AGE 15 years

DATE DISTILLED 25 September 2007

OUTTURN 2,119 bottles

ABV 53.1%

AUS ALLOCATION 150 bottles

A dark and heady brew! “Luscious!” noted one Panellist. The nose bloomed with kirsch, damson jam, roasted figs in honey and prunes soaked in armagnac before delicate soot and camphor touches added firmness and depth. A little water revealed a superbly dank dunnage earthiness, lots of of sticky fruit cake, damp pipe tobacco in an old leather pouch and hints of cured meats, toasted nuts and winter mulling spices. The neat palate had the immediate thickness and presence of clotted cream, along with notes of blueberry ham, stroopwaffels, salted caramel ice cream and classical flavours of sultanas, ginger, liquorice and cola syrup. Water revealed darker tones of coffee grounds, toasted pecans, dried orange peel and herbal liqueurs.

REGION Speyside

CASK TYPE 1st fill bourbon barrel

AGE 14 years

DATE DISTILLED 23 October 2008

OUTTURN 228 bottles

ABV 56.4%

AUS ALLOCATION 97 bottles

Initial notes brought a burst of spirity fruit as ripe bananas merged with peach yoghurt and lemon drizzle cake. A delightful vanilla-tinged creaminess then developed, which became fragrant as it turned to Turkish delight and lychees. Among tingly spice on the palate we found milk chocolate and caramel wafers in lemon ice cream while a woody astringency provided backbone. Adding water released butter and coconut cream with deeper notes of candle wax and fermenting pears on lemon skin. Vanilla ice cream was now served with chocolate truffles and hazelnut praline before firm oak tannins combined with whisky cream liqueur on the finish.