American Oak 20 Year Old Single Cask 4253.04 Review
The Full Measure, Australian Spirits News, has included our American Oak 20 Year Old Single Cask 4253.04 in their Tas Whisky Week coverage. A busy festival, to say the least, we're glad that Luke had the chance to stop by for a taste. This 20 Year Old is a personal favourite of Head Distiller Fiona Coutts, and loved distillery-wide. We couldn't be prouder of this glowing review.
I know I know, I should be telling you about the wonderful Hellyers Road core range whiskies and their impeccable value-for-money. But once you've tried this, it's hard to get it out of your mind.
Tas Whisky Week was the second time I've encountered it, and it's just something else. As soon as you go near it, this ethereal tropical fruit, peach syrup note leaps out at you. Then florals, a deep vanillin orange perfume. Wade through that and you hit Hellyers proper: the nutty, praline character that morphs into something magical with extensive age. But there's still malt here, too – the cask has just massaged this into something very special. The bottling strength is spot on. They've done all the work for you.
As the Hellyers folks make clear, this is the only cask filled on this date that lasted a full two decades. And look, the price ($1,150!)… is what it is. Please try some if you get a chance at a bar, event or at your wealthy friend's place. This is what extensive, oxidative maturation can do to a powerful, slightly roguish distillate.
- Luke McCarthy