Whisky in Isolation ‘Magnificent Seven’

A 7+7 triple maturation (Apera, then first fill Apera, then maple syrup) release from an Indy Bottler who’s first releases have propelled the brand to near-cult status amongst lovers of Aussie whisky – The Whisky in Isolation ‘Magnificent Seven’

Now the ‘Magnificent Seven’ is a whisky from a distillery the Club is very familiar with – Chief’s Son. To date, our club has featured the oldest maturing cask of Chief’s Son on no less than two previous occasions with two of the ‘Family Casks’ (filled by the children of Stuart) – the Aiden and the Cameron. This Whisky in Isolation Magnificent Seven is now the THIRD time we’ve featured the oldest Chief’s Son ever bottled!

In the case of the Magnificent Seven – it starts with two 6.5 year old Chief’s Son French Oak Ex-Apera casks. These were then married into one fresh Apera cask for a further 6 months. This took it to 7yrs, and 1 month old – the oldest EVER Chief’s Son.

If you’re thinking that’s where it ends… well you’re gravely mistaken my friend. Whisky in Isolation, head honcho, Justin had further plans for this whisky…One final step to give this whisky the luxurious fruity sweetness he was after.

The 7 (and a bit) year old marriage was then transferred into none other than an ex-maple syrup cask for 7 months. Yes, you heard that right – an ex-Rye whisky cask that was used to barrel-age maple syrup. And boy howdy did that make it POP! The result is a massively lush and lavish full-bodied whisky with so many layers it may as well be Donkey’s onion.

Bottled at a luxurious and un-chill filtered 58%abv – so you get every single skerrick of the flavours and mouthfeel this amazing collaboration has to offer.

‘Whisky in Isolation’ was born during the pandemic in 2020. Working closely with some of Australia’s finest and most celebrated whisky producers, Justin has done more than ‘just chosen casks’ to bottle. Whisky in Isolation is either made from scratch (new make), or are created by marrying casks, or put through a secondary maturation process…  or a combination of all three!

Now Whisky in Isolation is about much more than just choosing barrels at distilleries to bottle. Justin works closely with the distillers to choose finishing regimes that will truly accentuate and compliment the whiskies he chooses.

Nose: Absolute masses of stewed fruits that you’d imagine from an Apera aged, then finished whisky. Justin mentioned a ‘rummy note’ and I get what he means – there’s a little funk in this nose! (..and I always thought Justin was a metal guy!) But there’s also some bubble gum notes there, as well as a definite hint of unburnt tobacco and a bit of peanut brickle too.

Palate: Just as thick and rich a mouthfeel as the colour alludes to. A peppery burst (but surprisingly little at 58%abv – almost none with a ‘bloop‘ of water added) at first – but then an absolute WALL of flavour explodes on your palate. BIG stewed sultanas, prunes and raisons. And the flavours keep coming in waves. Candied citrus rind and a creamy note transform into an almost savoury, charcuterie note which then morphs into nut-butter.

Finish: So chewy and warming. It’s all of the above – but slowly fading out as they cry ‘another… another… ‘. At the very end there’s a distinct nuttyness.

This is a big, layered and immensely luxurious whisky. So massive in colour, mouthfeel and flavour, with delicious fruit and cream and all those things we’d expect from an apera aged and finished whisky- yet with a ‘sweet and fat sultana-ey shoulders’ reminiscent of a botrytis cask aged whisky I recently tasted.

The follow-up to The Joy of Six released last year, having been given exclusive access to Chief’s Son’s “museum stock” they have taken two small format casks matured for 6 years and 6 months in French Oak Apera casks and then decanted them into a fresh 1st Fill French Oak Apera cask for a secondary 6 month maturation.

They have then married together the two casks to create the distillery’s first double-matured whisky, aged for a total of 7 years.

This marriage has then been finished for 7 months in an ex-Rye Whiskey American Oak cask that has barrel-aged Canadian Maple Syrup; another commercial first for the distillery.

Bottled at 58% abv this is a big, rich whisky perfect for these cooler nights and with only 90 bottles available it won’t be around long!

Distillery Tasting Notes

Nose: Dark rum, sweet tobacco, prunes and raisins, caramel and nutty
Palate: Burnt oak, dark maple, molasses and coffee, really yum
Finish: Mammoth and all things rich!

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Candied walnuts; toasted oak; maple syrup; cinnamon scrolls and caramelised citrus peel
Palate: A great balance of sweetness, nuttiness and oakiness that echoes the nose with an added layer of exotic, toasted African spices, all wrapped up in a viscous mouthfeel
Finish: Long, lip-smacking maple syrup, a hint of butter menthol and the warming, smoky embers of a dying winter’s fire

We don’t do simple barrel picks.

We collaborate with distilleries to create distillery firsts and limited editions that are a little bit different.

All our whiskies either start from scratch or are created by marrying casks, put through a secondary maturation process – or a combination of the three!

But it is not experimentation for experimentation’s sake. The ultimate aim is to always create Just Great Whisky.

The Story Behind Our Name & Logo

The global pandemic was tough on many people mentally. To keep myself engaged outside of the day job, my wife encouraged me to pursue my passion for whisky and writing to start a blog.

The origins started in isolation but it was about turning this negative into a positive. It was about sharing stories, reviews and this passion with other people across Australia and the world. Isolation in fact led to more connections with people than I could ever imagine.

It was through this that I started talking with distilleries, and utilising their skills and expertise, the first cask was laid down in Easter 2020.

And whisky, well that is what we do: Just Great Whisky.

Oh and rather conveniently, my parents also call me ‘Just’, while my preference for drinking whisky is just as it comes; straight up, no ice, no mixer!!

Our logo too is also about positivity and the support of family in adversity.

The whisky glass sits within an Isolation Room sign spun to create a positive superhero triangle.

Each star represents my family and I. I am the bottom star, the foundation, but without the support of my wife and daughter, the stars on either side, there is no Whisky In Isolation.

We all appreciate your support.