Launceston Single Malt Whisky Bourbon Cask

In Tassie and finally made it to a distillery. Beautiful Aircraft hangar (hangar 17) and the origin of Tasmanian Aviation. I have previously had a few Launceston juices finding them good to very good. But, I have never bought a bottle, put off by a high price tag. Having now seen their process, their wonderful people, and dedication to craft over quick releases (cough Starward cough) I am more inclined to buy a bottle down the track. Sadly, I wasn’t allowed to try the new make in the absence of the head distiller to sign off on it (Australian taxation rules can go straight to hell). Anyway, opening with their entry level malt, the Bourbon cask. Barrels are sourced from a range of US distilleries but the consistency of batches is good. The cask strength of this I tried on 16th Nov 2022 (distiller taste #108), rating it 4/5. Skipping to the end of this review, unsurprisingly this 46% standard bottling is the toned down little brother you’d expect. N: light and crisp, with a surprising foretelling of oaky astringency. Dominantly though, creamy lemon curd and vanilla custard. A little gristy malt. P: almost like for like with the nose. This is soft but with some oaky spice to keep you on your toes, tropical suggestions of coconut and some brown sugar and vanilla let you know you are definitely in bourbon cask territory. F: Surprisingly long with warm tannic spice and vanilla notes. There’s not to much to write home about here, this is a bourbon cask whisky as you’d expect but the addition of some extra slightly untamed oak adds a spicy complexity that stops it being boring. Lemony presence on the nose is quite distinctive and enjoyable. This is simple whisky, well made. Cost is for 500 ml bottle Distiller whisky taste #252 [Pictured here, not with a rock, but just some of the distillery] Launceston running scores Bourbon cask: 3.5/5 Bourbon cask, cask strength single cask: 4/5 Apera cask: 3.75/5 Tawny cask, cask strength single cask: 4.25/5 American & French oak reserve: 4.25/5