Launceston Distillery Peated Special Edition

We are proud to offer the Launceston Distillery ‘SMWC Peated Special Edition’ – Bourbon and Tawny Cask Matured, a pleasantly peated pour of potable perfection straight out of Hanger 17  – the home of the Launceston Distillery.

A mildly peated release and very approachable whisky, in keeping with the Distillery’s style. We’ve had fantastic responses to the Launceston Distillery offerings we’ve tried in the past – but this peated expression adds a whole new layer of complexity to their fruity offerings.

As the name suggests, an exclusive bottling for The Single Malt Whisky Club – from peated malt aged in bourbon and tawny casks (at approx. 80:20 ratio) and bottled at 46%. It’s a delightfully complex whisky that balances the smoke/sweet ratio nicely.

Made from unpeated Tasmanian and peated Scottish barley. This peated Launceston has none of the tarry, asphalt or medicinal/iodine notes that are often associated with peat – more a mild sweet smokiness over a sweet and fruity base. Whilst it seems to contain about the same level of peat that last year’s Kilkerran 12yo had (slightly less maybe – I’m out of the Kilkeran to compare it to as I write this) – the lack of any sort of savoury or salty notes makes this a completely different whisky. Much more fruit-driven.

To be honest I found this whisky a little challenging to write notes for. This is one of those beguiling drams that seems to metamorphize in the glass over time. Pour a nice size dram and savour it over 20 or 30 minutes and you’ve got an olfactory journey in a glass. For example, the first sip I didn’t get much peat influence at all on the palate (despite what the nose told me) – the second and third sip the peat seemed to build.  So, I guess my notes this week are an ‘average’ of that ride.

Colour: Midway between copper and rose-gold

Nose: Dusty antique furniture, sweet orange marmalade and a fresh, floral – almost minty – note.

Palate: Nicely coats the mouth with a light oiliness at first. A medium level of peaty-mustiness cuts through a sweet honeyed crumpet with a splash of vanilla and spice on the side.

Finish: A lengthy rollercoaster of smoky and sweet notes. Nice, long, warming and chewy!

Launceston is no stranger to whisky production. Back in 1824 the Caledonian Whisky Distillery was built there and quickly became one of Australia’s leading spirit producers. Sadly, in 1839, the Distillation Prohibition Act was enacted – outlawing the distilling of spirits across the island, including Launceston’s Caledonian. The Launceston Distillery is the first [legal] distilling to be carried out in Launceston since the Prohibition Act was passed.

Since the Act was overturned in 1992, as we all know, Tasmania’s whisky industry has gone from strength to strength winning countless international awards and becoming world famous for it’s whisky.

Situated at Launceston Airport, Launceston Distillery is located in historic Hanger 17. It’s worth mentioning because this hangar is Tasmania’s oldest surviving aviation building. Built originally by Tasmanian Aerial Services in 1933 – hangar 17 expanded over the years and host to some of the countries pivotal aviation companies – Tasmanian Aerial Services became ANA (Australian National Airlines) which later became Ansett. Hangar 17 could rightfully be said to be one of the homes of commercial aviation in Australia and pivotal in the development of our nation’s domestic airlines and airline routes.