In further news, I received a note from Stewart Ferguson advising that Greg’s report of the Hellyer’s Road tasting (below) was also published on the Hellyer’s Road website – Filip.
Hello all,
We started with the “Original” which is an unaged single malt which on average is an 8 year old presentation at 46.2%, matured in American Oak barrels from good old Jack Daniels. This was gentle on the nose with some bitter almonds but with a pronounced citrus flavour on the mouth. A presentable malt that is marketed at the mid $80 range retail.
This was followed by the 10 year old, publicly released two weeks ago, and soon available via Dan Murphys pre Christmas. Again this is at 46.2% double distilled and matured in Jack’s American Oak. On the nose there is a citrus sweetness and followed with vanilla and coffee and a smooth oilyness on the mouth feel. This is a richer offering from the Original presenting greater body. If this is a hint of what is to come I am looking forward to a 12 year old.
The third offering was, I believe, a unique offering of the “Original” taken and finished in Pinot Noir barrels sourced from Tamar Ridge (now part of Brown Brothers) for between three to six months. Again presented at 46.2% this has imparted a Pinot flavour on the nose however it gives an after taste with a spiceness up front on the palate. The bottle is distinguished by a necktie stating Pinot Noir and a NP sticker on the front label. I was interested in tasting this one as I have a bottle procured two years ago at Agfest Tasmania soon after its release, so I do not have to open it to now know what is in store for me. I look forward to the day I open this offering.
The final whisky offering was the “Original Peated” offering. Served at 46.2%, no age (8 year old). This has a strong smoky nose fully analogous to the Laphroag or Lacavalin peated malts, however it does not have the Islay follow through peatiness. The smokiness continues into the mouth with fruits beneath, still at the 46.2% however there is no smoky follow through that closes the tasting. This one is different to all the other Hellyers Road offerings, that are malted at the Cascade Brewery, this peated malt is imported from Scotland. Although presenting around the 35 phenols of the Islay peated malts this one does not hang heavily on the palate. I could easily have a second glass of this one where the Laphroug is more of an end of evening dram that finishes the evening.
There is also a semi-peated offering that was not available for tasting. This would be a perfect entre for someone that is not sure about whether or not they are want to tacking a peated single malt dram.
As a supplement Stewart offered the Hellyers Road Cream Liqueur, a head to head offering of a Baileys. This is a five year old (or so) single malt blended with Tasmanian cream. Here I would point out that Hellyers Road is a part of the Betta Milk co-op business which has the cream of the crop of lactate products in Tasmania. This has a two year shelf life and runs at 17%. It is a rich luscious blend that over a bit of ice becomes an incitement to seduce women.
A quick synopsis of the evening produced a variety of opinions. Many favoured the Pinot Noir offering and the 10 year old was also well received. Several others favoured the Peated offering as more in line with Islay whisky. All in all I have to say that Hellyers Road have produced good malt whisky and are aware of the market they want to get into, being priced at the $85 to $95 retail bottle range. Some discounts will apply when buying from select outlets.
I can say that the evening was a success, the whisky’s presented by Stewart exceeded the expectations of the members present, I still believe there is a bit of “not real whisky from Scotland” syndrome prevailing in the whisky adherants and Hellyers Road goes forward to debunk this belief.
Filip is to be congratulated for organising this event and opening us up to the offerings form North West Tasmania and I look forward to his future offerings. Many thanks.
Gregory Hudson
Scribe/Exciser