Amber Lane tasting at The Oak Barrel, Sydney, 8 June 2022. Whisky #2 Nose: Earthy sherry, plum jam, fig preserve, vanilla essence, caramel sauce. The aromas are rich but there is not a lot of development. Adding water has little impact. Palate: The arrival is full-bodied and sweet but mild, with milk chocolate coated honeycomb the initial flavor. It’s a very easy and welcoming entry that develops into a sweet, rich palate. Toffee, maple syrup, golden syrup, orange zest and stone fruits are apparent and balanced by a little spice. The texture is silky and little changed by the addition of water. Finish: Medium. Sweet and fruity with a touch of cinnamon spices, both sweet and hot. Amber Lane is a young distillery located in the Yarramalong Valley of New South Wales, mid way between Sydney and Newcastle. The distillery was founded by Rod Berry and Phil Townsend in 2017 and has had its first festival and event tastings this year. Liquid Amber is a full-bodied whisky that more closely resembles a gentle, PX-finished Scottish single malt than a typical intense Australian sherry-bomb. The casking was a combination of ex-Heaven Hill bourbon casks, Australian ex-apera (ie local sherry) casks, and ex-Spanish PX solera casks (hogsheads? puncheons?) from Fernando de Castilla. It was matured for 4 years, which is twice as long as most Australian whisky. Like the first whisky we tasted on the evening (Amberosia) I noted a brevity of progression due to youth in both nose and palate but in the case of Liquid Amber this is offset a little by the more complex casking. I enjoyed this whisky enough to buy a bottle on the night. It is natural colour, un-chillfiltered, 48% abv and unusually it is sold in a 700ml size rather than the lamentable 500ml bottles we mostly see. The usual price is $169 but at the event price of $145 I thought it was reasonable value for money. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)