We're bringing you the latest news in the drinks world: Lark's Seppeltsfield Para 100 (edition II); tilde~ Australia's first raw vodka; and Bass and Flinders' Heartbreak pinot gin.
Lark Para 100 II Rare Cask release
In celebration of their 30th birthday, Lark Distillery has once again collaborated with their long-time friends at Seppeltsfield to produce the Para 100 from their Rare Cask Series.
The 100-year-old Seppeltsfield tawny-seasoned casks are the secret weapon behind Lark’s iconic single malt whisky. Edition II has been crafted from the single malt whisky and then finished in casks that once held the 100-year-old Para Vintage Tawny.
Aromas of peat, dark red fruits and orange gateau. Flavours of grilled pineapple, burnt buttered toast, raspberry jam and a hint of sweet spice. The finish is full of aged oak, the mouth waters with oily citrus and sultanas. With more peat influence than its older sibling, smokiness shines through, offering balance and sweetness.
Lark's head distiller Chris Thomson says edition II is a gift from Tasmania to the world of whisky. “This whisky is about unmatched indulgence, pairing Lark's heavy complex spirit with one of the rarest wines on the planet. Seppeltsfield boasts some of the oldest wine casks in the country, and we are lucky enough to work with them to create this one of a kind whisky."
The 700ml Para 100 retails for a cool $999.99, but does include a 100ml complimentary bottle and a copper medallion, meticulously handcrafted from a decommissioned Lark copper pot still. But get in quick, there's only 410 bottles available.
Find out more at larkdistillery.com.
tilde~ Australia's first raw vodka
tilde~ is Australia's first raw vodka and a partnership between Door Knock's Natalie Ng, White Rabbit's Jeremy Halse and master distiller Valero Jimenez from Joadja Distillery. Made with local ingredients such as high-quality beer, Australian grains, yeast and natural spring water, fused with low intervention distillation and minimal filtration. The mash bill (the recipe of grain ingredients) is of pale barley, malted wheat, flaked oats, and clustered hops. A recipe that was honed for more than two years.
Vodka is Australia's second most consumed spirit, sitting just behind whisky. Natalie says tilde~ is here to dissolve any notion that all vodka is the same – predictable and lacking personality. “While beer fans might nerd out on this unique process, tilde~ by no means mimics the taste of beer. Rather, we found that the sour beer wash helped create an almost creamy mouthful, a very velvety smooth taste. Sipping neat, you’ll taste a balance of subtle aniseed and citrusy notes, a hint of fresh lemon peel."
Try it neat, with soda and lemon, or maybe even in a martini. tilde~ is available for $75 (700ml), from Dan Murphy’s online, select bottle shops and local venues.
Check out Natalie's cocktail suggestions here. And find out more at tilderaw.com.au.
Bass & Flinders Heartbreak Pinot Gin
After selling out of their inaugural release, gin distillers Bass & Flinders are back with the second release of their Heartbreak Pinot Gin. Pinot noir accounted for around 32% of the top five grape varietals used in 2021. Director and head distiller Holly Klintworth says after such great response last year the team decided they'd increase production for 2022, however a boom in pinot noir interest meant the grapes were scarce.
“The inaugural release of our gin was an eye-opener for us, consumers loved the gin for both their own enjoyment and for gifting; bars loved it for on-premise mixing, cocktails and classic spirit mixers; and major retailers enjoyed local products flying off the shelf. So, we decided to up the ante in 2022 - and this is where the challenge [began]."
Holly says despite a smaller than expected yield, Bass & Flinders were still able to increase production. “This vintage's colour is vibrant ruby with purple hues due to cooler conditions, which generally means higher acids and further towards the red spectrum, a signature tip-of-the-hat to Mornington Peninsula’s premier grape variety...which we sourced from Tuerong Plains.”
Made by hand, and influenced by the elements, the Heartbreak boasts aromas of sweet red fruit, spice and floral highlights. On the palate hints of sweet spice, brooding dark fruits, French oak, cocoa nibs and strawberry gum with juniper, herbal and oak nuances.
"While we're sad it’s once again a very limited product, we are pleased to have been able to put something forward that we’re exceptionally proud of, and that reflects the nature of the 2022 harvest – and it was a small harvest – it’s a passionate Peninsula pinot gin in heart and spirit," says Holly.
The Heartbreak Pinot Gin is $88 (700ml) and is available from Bass & Flinders, and selected premium bottle shops. Find out more at bassandflindersdistillery.com.
