@cascode Yes case in point I went on Bakery Hill website to check out what I could try when I came to visit and you can't even turn up except on a tour 2 days a months which sadly will not be when I'm there. They said it's because they are a small working distillery...

The problem with Aussie whisky is that the distilleries are nearly all tiny artisan mom & pop businesses run by guys who LOVE whisky have one tiny still in a backyard shed. Seriously, the biggest local operations are half the size of Kilchoman. Some are making killer whisky, rye and other spirits, but to make ends meet they sell in tiny bottles for crazy prices. It's not just the overseas market - they are stupidly expensive locally as well. The only affordable whiskies with sizable production are Starward and Hellyers Road. It's basically a cottage industry that was caught short when people discovered that they were making really good stuff. *Everything* here is non-chill filtered, no colour and high proof. There will be a big shift later this year however when Archie Rose, Manly Spirits and the new Starward facility start pumping out large volumes.

@PBMichiganWolverine 2nd best. Someone else paid him more money this time round!

@Soba45 he rated Glen Grant 18 best again?!? I guess the money they’re giving him is more than his book sales

@PBMichiganWolverine Ah don't get me started on him :-). I still can't believe he thinks Glen Grant 18 is over 2 years the 1st and 2nd best scotch whiskey in the world! He must be getting paid by them!

@Soba45 “best in world”...not “bear in world”...although that would’ve been more interest

@Soba45 years ago, before that lunatic ( Jim Murray) proclaimed Sullivan’s as “bear in world”, it was quite reasonable. I bought Sullivan’s French Oak for a mere $60. Now...what is it...$400?!?! That’s Yamazaki 18 crazy price

@PBMichiganWolverine Yeah I saw the prices for bakery hill. Starts well over the $100 USD mark for their cheaper stuff. They are great but not that great. Typical story..limited supply and a lot of demand

@cascode Will have to line up a flight when I'm there. :-)

@cascode Aussie whiskey is crazy expensive though. I’ve not had Starward or Bakery Hill, but Sullivan’s Cove, as good as it is, is crazy expensive.

@Soba45 The Wine Cask finish is my favourite so far. Most folks seem to prefer the solera process apera (sherry) cask expression, but for me the untoasted shiraz cask works wonders by adding a dry note to the distillate.

@cascode Ah yes Bakery Hill sorry :-). Thomsons used to source it from old Willowbank stuff but all the ones I tried are theirs. A number are 'progress reports'. From memory they have been going for a number of years now doing their own thing. Ah yes Starward...I had one so far that tasted like shampoo this year so maybe they'll redeem themselves when I turn up in person and try the rest of the range :-)

Bakery Hill are making some stunning stuff. When in Melbourne try to get to Starward Distillery as well. Great tour and a decent whisky.

@cascode Indeed it is. The distillery is in Auckland. It's ok but nothing to write home about. Preferr the stuff over your side of the ditch. Tried a Bakers Hill which was nicer. I'm over in Melbourne at xmas and the in-laws we are staying at live nearby so it's on my visiting list. :-)

Sorry - I was unclear - I mean are they making it or sourcing it? I didn't think Thomson was old enough to have a product yet.

@Soba45 - is that a NZ whisky?