This month….whiskies aged at sea! The Iron House Maverick.
2 different fortified barrel maturations finished on a Abalone fishing boat named ‘Maverick’ for 12 months on the high seas of The Tasman covering over 3280 nautical miles. The Malt of the Month is the Iron House Maverick Muscat SMWC Edition followed up by the Members Extra, the Iron House Maverick Port Cask. The constant movement of the ocean churns the spirit with greater interaction with the wood, extreme temperature and barometric ranging creating a hyper ageing effect taking you on a sensory voyage like no other.
So thanks to our mates at IronHouse Distillery in Tasmania – the blokes who make Tasman Whisky – we’ve got these two amazing whiskies and a story that will blow you away. This months whiskies have been sent away to sea to grow up! Both of these whiskies are SO maritime, they have tattoos of anchors on their arms. Both of these drams are so nautical you should refer to them as Skipper. We’re proud to present two whiskies from Ironhouse Distillery – the Maverick Muscat Cask and Maverick Port Cask.
Both the Muscat and Port cask versions of the Maverick spent 4 years in their respective casks in the Ironhouse Distillery bond-store next to the ocean. They were then loaded aboard the Tasmanian abalone boat ‘The Maverick’ and sent to sea for 12 months to grow up! In that 12 months they travelled 3280nm (about 6000km) in some of worlds most treacherous waters, endured 7 metre waves, 100km/h hurricane force winds, and barometric pressure ranging from 910 to 1040HPA – all these factors combining to create a ‘hyper-aging’ environment.
So a few years ago, there was a certain Tasmanian gov’t agency that had the oldest boat still operating in service. To commemorate it’s retirement, the boys at Ironhouse were approached to supply a 50L barrel full of whisky that would be aged on the vessel during it’s last months in service and then bottled for a few ‘in the know’ and VIPs in the service.
Michael and Craig from Ironhouse decided that the idea was worth exploring and so they approached an old mate of Michael’s who skippered an Abalone Trawler – ‘Maverick’ and an agreement was struck. Several barrels of whisky (in Muscat and Port casks) were to be stowed on deck – but it was soon apparent that they would be soaked in brine for the duration! And so, they were moved into one of the ‘dry’ holds. Still at the mercy of the sea – just not quite as saturated by it.
Now the Iron House Maverick Muscat Cask was released a month ago for Tassie Whisky Week. It was made available there in 500ml bottles. But because we’re such good mates with the Ironhouse crew, we’ve talked them into bottling ours in 700ml bottles at 52%ABV. This 700ml bottling of the Iron House Maverick is exclusive to the SMWC. These bottles are sensational value and available only to members of our club.
PLUS part of our ‘Maverick Month’ Iron House and the SMWC are giving away a weekend for two at the White Sands Resort which is located in the distillery estate! This will include a dinner for two at the onsite restaurant!
WIN A TASMAN WHISKY HOLIDAY
2 Nights Accommodation at the White Sands Estate
$250 Dinner Voucher
Private Distillery and Vineyard Tour with Briggsy
For 2 people at the beautiful White Sands Estate & IronHouse Brewery, Vineyard & Distillery on the East Coast of Tasmania!
How do you enter? Simple…you need to purchase the Malt of the Month (the Iron House Maverick Muscat SMWC Edition) and at least one bottle of the Ironhouse Iron House Maverick Port SMWC Edition this month and you are in the running.
OUR TASTING NOTES
Nose: Dried fruits and warm biscuit spices
Palate: Lovely rich mouthfeel with minimal pepper. Initially sweet, but takes a slightly dry turn. Big sweet stewed fruit vibe up front, but there’s a nice saltyness at the back of that.
Finish: Warm – not spicey. Long and quite delicious. The finish sees a real salted nuttiness develop which fades out with pleasant warmth.
Wow – a real surprise with the nuttyness here – I was not expecting that! The 52%ABV is very well integrated and so easy on the palate. I love that the year at sea makes itself so well known in this whisky. That salty note is unmistakable… and delicious – it’s the ‘chef’s kiss’ to the whole story!
FROM IRONHOUSE DISTILLERY
Following the true definition of a Maverick, Ironhouse has taken our barrel ageing process to a radical level by moving our housed 4 year fortified barrels and finishing them on a Abalone fishing boat named ‘Maverick’ for 12 months on the high seas of The Tasman over 3280 nautical miles.
The constant movement of the ocean churns the spirit with greater interaction with the wood, extreme temperature and barometric ranging creating a hyper ageing effect taking you on a sensory voyage like no other.
TASTING NOTES:
Colour: A dark rich mahogany with a polished copper.
Nose: A complex and decadent nose, laden with dark berries, port sweetness, salted caramel and buttery vanilla and oak forward note to finish on.
Palate: The palate is instantly delicious, port wine, brown sugar, figs and molasses create a warming sweetness. White pepper, buttered bread, oak build a solid base for the most unique aspects of the Maverick. 12 months at sea onboard the Maverick has imparted an unmistakable salted dark chocolate, seaweed and dried herb savoury compliment to the sweetness.
Finish: You can enjoy a mid to longer finish with sweet red wine, brown sugar and fired oak at the very end.
ABOUT IRONHOUSE DISTILLERY
At the edge of the Tasman Sea, where the old drovers hut iron house once stood watchful, we’ve been carefully crafting our single malt whiskys over the last 7 years. Unleashed and disgorged from the darkened corners of the our bonding room and hand selected by iron house master distiller, Michael Briggs, you will be treated to a full flavoured experience.
In an age old tradition we have created our premium range of whisky, our spiritus frumenti, for all to indulge in. Tasman whisky is absolutely uncompromising and complex and 100% Tasmanian. Mindfully distilled within the confines of our copper still, it is the synergy between the purest malts sourced from the north of the state, the pristine waters of and the cleanest ocean air of Tasmania’s untainted east coast that balance and mature our spirit perfectly.
Good whisky is naught but a lens. It is the drink for celebrating your best days and reflecting thoughtfully on your hardest. It’s a spirit that demands a careful and discerning approach.
It is our story, but it is your whisky. Tasman whisky.
The spirit of the east.
