Category: Timboon

[60.0%・3 Years Old・Distilled in 2014・Bottled in 2018・Official Bottling]

Nose:

The spectrum of nose is a bit narrow at first but the thickness of marshmallow and boiling brown sugar is well established along side a faint floral musk.  In time, it grows more expressive with some black tea, dried figs and burnt toffee and it shows a peppery side that is slightly tilted, perhaps indicative of its youthfulness.

Palate & Finish:

Thick intense sweetness at first with a lot of prunes and strawberry lollies driving the acidity up, but it grows rather ester driven gradually, light floral honey and green apples.  That TimBoon signature bubble gum flavour is also inherent.  Anzac biscuits with some light cinnamon sugar and quite a bit of ginger spices and alcohol burn on the back end.

The dram finishes with some slightly burnt granola with traces of manuka honey, a bit nutty and towards the dry side.

Thoughts:

Timboon perhaps is perhaps rather known for its light, bubble gum flavouring driven style and I have come to recognise its overtly ester-y notes as the distillery’s signature characters.

Bottled at 60%, this year’s Christie’s Cut is more in line with the heavy Australian mould but the Timboon DNA is still very much intact, alas the more prominent cask influence seems to come in conflict with the spirit characters a little bit.

The 2018 version does feel quite young, perhaps it could have used that extra year or so of maturation like last year’s release to really mellow the dram out further.

Still, very much in line with Aussie whisky fans’ taste for a big dram.

Thank you Mr. Josh Walker for sending through the sample bottle, it’s much appreciated.

-Nicholas

[41.0%・3 Years Old・Distilled in 2014・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling・General Release]

Nose:

The unique ester-y profile is present, but this batch has more honey and malt to it. Smooth caramel lightly applying its sweetness as some pepper and ginger flower notes come about whilst the grassiness develops.

Palate & Finish:

Light, thin honey with barley infusion, simplistic and approachable. The previously esters driven profile has certainly been dialled down in this batch. Some cinnamon powder and not too concentrated caramel crisp on the back end.

Arnott’s Malt O’Milk with a hint of burnt toast and butter in the finish.

Thoughts:

I’m unsure whether 41% is where the magic’s at for this whisky, though this is much more malty than earlier batches. I’m keen to see if this shift will continue in future batches.

-Nicholas

[40.0%・3 Years Old・Distilled in 2013・Bottled in 2016・Official Bottling・General Release]

Nose:

A cute dose of ginger flowers at first, followed by the bubble gum and green apples aromas that the distillery has gained a reputation for. There is an interesting ramune note with some playful artificial fruitiness, and some pepper on the back end.

Palate & Finish:

Absolutely fruity profile with the delivery running light and thin. Green apple vinegar with a fine brush of vanilla as more esters get released. It then grows quite gingery.

An easy finish, slightly malty with a hint of menthol.

Thoughts:

The ester-y profile is kind of wild and I do wonder how that came about. In saying that though I can see it being used to make a pretty rad summertime drink.

-Nicholas

[60.0%・5 Years Old・Distilled in 2012・Bottled in 2017・Official Bottling]

Nose:

Lemony and grassy with a clear lager note.  On the spirit-y side naturally due to the high ABV and relatively young age.  Brushed with a fine vanilla paste, the orchid fruits start to appear with the waxy fruit peels.

Palate & Finish:

An explosion of bubble-gum-led favours on the palate, thick cream, popcorn and apple juice box.  After the alcohol burn there is the butterscotch note that follows through nicely with can pineapples and a hint of crushed mint.

A rather swift drop off but for the creamy and robust barley note that is quite lasting.

Thoughts:

For an Australian whisky, this certainly falls on the lighter spectrum, but don’t be deceived by the flavour profile, this dram is intense.  It could do away with the burn and could use a longer tail though.

✓

-Nicholas