Tasmanian distillery Sullivans Cove has launched its inaugural Seasonal Capture collection, comprising four single malt whiskies united by their connection to French oak. The spring release features the brand’s first-ever 20 Year Old French Oak expression, alongside ex-Chardonnay and ex-Pinot Noir single casks and a new Double Cask edition.
Tasmania is recognized as a producer of both wine and whisky, a lineage central to the collection.
“For decades, French oak casks have arrived at Sullivans Cove carrying the influence of the wines they once held, before going on to shape some of our most distinctive single malts,” the brand said.
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The four whiskies each present a different perspective on French oak, provenance, and maturation in the Australian climate.
The French Oak ex-Chardonnay expression, Cask Nº SC0814, was matured for seven years and seven months in a single French oak ex-Chardonnay cask.
“French oak brings structure and depth, while the cask’s white wine provenance offers another perspective on the relationship between Australian wine country and Sullivans Cove spirit,” the brand said.
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READ THE STORYThe expression is due to arrive later this month.
Also featured is the French Oak ex-Pinot Noir, Cask Nº SC0387, matured for seven years in a 225-liter French oak ex-Pinot Noir barrique. Just 96 bottles remain, marking the final allocation of the cask.
The centerpiece of the collection is the 20 Year Old French Oak, Cask Nº TD0021, described as “a milestone in the Sullivans Cove story.”
“Our first 20 Year Old French Oak release explores the extraordinary longevity possible when spirit, oak, and time are allowed to find their own balance,” the brand said.
A ballot for the 20 Year Old opens on 5 October and will be drawn on 19 October.
Completing the collection is the Ex-Brandy Edition Double Cask, Batch Nº DC127, which incorporates casks from Sullivans Cove’s own historic brandy program.
“Casks from Sullivans Cove’s own historic brandy programme become part of the composition, carrying something we made then into the whisky we make now,” the brand said.
Sullivans Cove, based in Hobart, gained international recognition in 2014 when its French Oak expression was named World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards.
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