Whisky Review: Black Gate Single Cask #BG055

Style: Smoky and Spicy Nose: Begins with an acidic overtone, followed by some smoky liquorice roots, bacon drizzled with barbeque sauce. Hot spice cutting in from time to time. Raspberries, a touch of Quandong liquer (?) and orange drops meet at the bottom. Sharp, sweet and smoky. Palate: A rather hot palate, but when the…

Read More

Dram Review: Black Gate BG022

[50.0%・ Distilled in 2014・Bottled in 2017・3 Years Old・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release of 199 Bottles] Nose: On the nose, the whisky attains quite the Port cask influence on the surface, lemony with a generous dose of blackcurrants.  Musky and floral but at the same time there are these familiar notes of gritty dust and dirty diesel…

Read More

Interview: Catching Up With The Hollingworths of Black Gate Distillery

You can read our last interview with Brian and Genise here. Nicholas:  So tell me, what has changed at Black Gate since our last chat over three years ago? Brian:  Well, we built a cool room so we can ferment during the hotter weather, and we were able to increase production from when we first…

Read More

Dram Review: Black Gate BG021

[49.3%・ Distilled in 2014・Bottled in 2017・3 Years Old・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release of 213 Bottles] Nose: The thickness of old Black Gate has been replaced in favour of a more balanced delivery.  The aged lemon from the “Port” cask is in play here with subtle notes of basil, oregano, minerals and copper.  With time the familiar…

Read More

Dram Review: Black Gate 520s

[67.0%・2 Years Old・Distilled in 2013・Bottled in 2015・Official Bottling・Limited Release of 159 Bottles] Nose: Big musky aromas from the “Australian Sherry casks”, a dusty note that is a key signature note of early Black Gate releases.  Dried flowers and poached fruits with toffee treacle and the quintessentially Australian diesel note. Palate & Finish: A full on…

Read More

Whisky Review: Black Gate Single Malt Cask Strength Cask 11

  Style: Musky and Spicy Nose: A mash of sweetness and spices with an herbal overtone. Beneath the cover reveals a lower acidic branch, a mix of super lemon candies and cola gummies. Chilli spice puffs out together with vinegar. Palate: Crystallized red fruits shattered as toffee core slowly dripping out. Unique, lip-smacking sweetness comes…

Read More

Dram Review: Black Gate Cask #016 Exclusively Bottled for The Oak Barrel

[66.0% • Original Bottling • Bottled in 2016 • No Age Statement  • Single Cask Release of 32 Bottles] As a Black Gate fan, it gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to officially announce that Mr. Brian Hollingworth and Mrs. Genise Hollingworth are releasing the single cask #016, exclusively for The Oak Barrel Sydney Whisky…

Read More

A sit down with Mr. Brian Hollingworth of Black Gate Distillery

A decade ago, it might have seemed strange to celebrate world whisky day with a nip of Australian whisky. I wouldn’t know, I was in middle school back then. Times are a bit different now, with website getting crashed from eager fans trying to get their hands on the latest release, to award winning casks skyrocketing through…

Read More

Dram Review: Black Gate Cask #007

[50.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・Single Cask Release] Nose: It certain feels more refined from the get go, concentrated sugary note from muscat grapes that have been naturally dried. Golden honey with a layer of rich beeswax generously applied atop. There is also a comforting dried lemon note that would normally only come from whiskies matured well…

Read More