Distillery/Brand: Old Hobart | ABV: 60% | Region: Tasmania, Australia | Colour: Copper
Nose: 24 | Taste: 24 | Finish: 24 | Balance: 24 | Rating: 96

Review
Now this is what I call a stunner! Where I come from the phrase when you are knocked off your ass with awesomeness is ‘Uff ho!’

I had the chance to taste this spirit from a sample bottling (which is why I don’t know the cask number of this single cask spirit) and was completely blown away.

I’m pretty sure other casks will be in the same brilliant league as this sample.

Old Hobart, in Tasmania (Australia) got it’s license in 2005 and is the brainchild of one Casey Overeem who tried his hand at micro-distilling many winters ago in Norway and decided that was his dream. And boy what a dream!

There are two versions of the same spirit served up at different strengths. One at a measly 43% and this one at a perfect 60%. Well, to be fair I haven’t tried the 43% offering but I’m not sure if I want to after the 60%.

Matured in French Port Quarter Casks the spirit cannot be more than 8 years old. Could be younger but certainly not older given that the distillery started working in 2005. I’m guessing hot Australian summers are key to such intense maturation at a young age. Very much like the various Amruts out there.

Nose: Deep deep caramel, chocolate, roasted cocoa beans, mocha chino and dark oranges. Like stepping into a marmalade barista. Creamy and amazingly robust nose feel. Crumbling wet brown sugar with a hint of woody rose and dark honey. Finally warm clove to round off a stunning nose.

For want of a better description I feel the nose is smack in the middle of Amrut Intermediate Sherry and Amrut Portonova. You’ll know what I mean when you stick your nose in the glass.

Palate: Now let me tell you something. In my hometown there is a small bakery called the Bombay Bakery (no, I’m not from Bombay in case you’re wondering). They have been there for over a hundred years and they sell the most amazing Coffee Cake you will have ever tried in your life! This palate is a carbon copy of that cake! It literally took me back to my childhood.

The creamy coffee cake explodes on your palate amid a shower of cloves and cardamom. Moist ginger digestives lathered in maple and chocolate syrup with a dusting of cinnamon powder. A beautifully textured experience.

Finish: Long and gorgeous. Lots of spice. Lot of chocolate. And, oh, that Bombay Bakery Coffee Cake.

I had heard good things about this whisky. Just how good it was going to be I had no idea.

Rating: 96