Cradle Mountain “THE TALE OF TWO WHISKIES” – Tasmanian Whisky News
THE TALE OF TWO WHISKIES
If you love a good Single Malt Whisky, you will want to read this story of the “Tale of Two Whiskies”
This maybe the first time in history where we have a rare and unique opportunity to taste the same whisky one twin was aged for 21 years in Scotland and the other aged 21 years in Australia at Cradle Mountain Whisky.
Due to the ageing the two whiskies present quite differently. The twin whiskies will be offered through a ballot to give a few lucky people an opportunity to own and taste test these treasures of whisky history.
OUR STORY
Our story begins in 1989, when the founders of Cradle Mountain Whisky recognised that the rich volcanic soil of Northern Tasmania gave a particular life to the quality of the grain found in the region. By combining the local grains with the water collected from the foothills of the Tasmanian Highlands, the founders discovered that they were able to produce an exceptionally fine single malt whisky.
TO SCOTLAND – TASMANIA
In the early 1990s, our previous Director Andrew Morrison travelled to Scotland with a sample of Cradle Mountain Whisky, determined to measure the quality of his new drop against the finest whiskies in the world.
Andrew took his sample to the independent bottlers at the Springbank Distillery and sought their first impressions. Springbank ordered seven barrels on the spot — an enormous vote of confidence for the emerging company and the Tasmanian whisky industry. While a number of barrels went to age in Campbeltown in Scotland, a number of barrels were also aged in Tasmania, Australia
The same whisky matured in two different climates will develop unique characteristics.
CAMPBELTOWN, SCOTLAND
The Campbeltown climate tends to be steady with high and low temperatures fluctuating by an average 4.2 degrees Celsius in a month. Summer temperatures sit around 17 degrees.
NORTHERN TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
Tasmanian weather fluctuates with a high and low variance of 11.3 degrees and summer temperatures of 25 degrees. We experience about half as much rainfall as in Scotland.
The Angel’s Share losses in Tasmania can be as high as 70 per cent over the full term of the ageing of our spirits, which highlights the increase in maturation activity in the barrel. This is a stark contrast to Scotland, with a quoted Angel’s Share of around 2 per cent each year – around 40 per cent over the term of 21 years.
The Angel’s Share is the liquid lost to evaporation when whisky is aged in oak barrels.
“While accountants try to figure out ways to stop Angel’s Share, the artisan celebrates it. How else are we going to get a great whisky?” JOE LAHRA, CRADLE MOUNTAIN WHISKY
TASTING NOTES – The 21 Year Old’s
The whiskies are essentially the same – produced at the same distillery, with the same ingredients and under the same conditions. However, the whiskies now present entirely different in terms of colour, nose, and taste due to maturation in different locations.
CRADLE MOUNTAIN WHISKY — TASMANIA
AGED: 21 years in Tasmania, Australia
ABV: 45.3%
COLOUR: Auburn mahogany
NOSE: Opens with apricots, mince pies, fruit cake, sherry, torched crème brûlée and forest moss
PALATE: Apricots and tangy lemon zest
FINISH: Cigar, port and bitter dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate and burnt wood.
CRADLE MOUNTAIN WHISKY — SCOTLAND
AGED: 21 years in Campbeltown, Scotland by Cadenhead’s
ABV: 45.3%
COLOUR: Golden amber
NOSE: Opens with almonds, marzipan and candied fruit; after a few minutes of aeration sweet chardonnay and clover honey lingers.
PALATE: Burnt toffee, wine dipped cigar. Mid palate spicy oak, vanilla and soft woody smoke.
FINISH: Drying wood, with white pepper and cigar
YOU CAN REGISTER NOW AT:
To join the Ballot which will be drawn on the 30th November 2021 at 3pm for a chance to buy your own set of twins in a beautifully crafted double bottle pack to begin a sensational tasting experience of The Tale of Two Whiskies. Only 21 double bottle set will be offered in this ballot.
