Review: 36 Short Single Malt Whisky

Upfront, let me say that when the team at Thirty Six Short from South Australia reached out to me recently to have a look at their new single malts I was delighted. I’ve recently started a new series on my social channels that amplify a difference spirit in a short format a release or two from a selected range of makers I know represent quality and value.

I’ve always enjoyed the approach brothers Con and Jon have taken to creating their range of Australian craft spirits and have had the opportunity to review several of their range in past years such as their excellent Rakia and what I think is the best Blood Orange gin out there. They have a range that is full of natural expression, no additives for example, in a very contemporary and approachable brand, but it’s what is in the bottle that counts, and they rarely disappoint.

The range has since expanded considerably over the years to some 14 styles of spirits ranging from Limoncello to Sour Cherry Liqueur and now Single Malt. The latter is having a moment in Australia, with more and more releases coming onto the market, it was only a matter of time, literally, as makers waIted the minimum of two years under Australian law for the maturation to take place.

It’s too early to say there is an Australian style of whisky, though there is clearly lots of innovation, with a variety of “expressions” as they say appearing, and the various distillers are definitely defining their own house style based on their local climate and approach to distilling and maturation, with some experimenting with various types of non traditional cask wood for example.

In this case they have opted for two years and seven months in shaven, then charred, Shiraz barrels (some great South Australian wine regions are close to their distillery), then they finish the spirit in ex-Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels for another four to five months prior to bottling in small batches. I was sent a sample from release 2 + 3, noting that #2 is presented at 40% ABV whilst #3 lands at 45% ABV.

Tasting Notes Release #2

Nose: Warm musk, hints of burnt toffee, with a touch of bright spirit white pepper.
Appearance: an attractive dark amber, middle in the range of the spirit spectrum for a single malt.
Palette: Initially tart cherry, light and clean overall as a spirit on the palette that lingers upfront, with some gentle honey suckle and caramel notes at the back, no spirit burn.

Tasting Notes Release #3

Nose: very resolved and balanced, soft spirit notes, honey on toast, gentle spiced aromatics.
Appearance: similar to release #2, perhaps a little darker, but not by much.
Palette: light caramel notes as a first impression, consistent with the overall spirit weight on the palette leading to a clean finish lingering forward, no hint of the higher ABV, a very balanced lightly warm spirit feel with a crisp finish.