Sullivans Cove Puts a Fresh Twist on French Oak Maturation With Latest Single Cask Releases

• Tasmanian distillery Sullivans Cove has announced two single cask whiskies—Special Cask Editions No. 17 & 18.
• Both expressions were matured for seven years in French oak barriques that previously held Tasmanian pinot noir.
• Bottled at 46.1% and 49.9% ABV, respectively, only 379 and 365 bottles are available worldwide.
• Tee two releases are priced at AUD$750 and will be available to purchase online from Monday 24 March 2025.

We love ourselves some top-tier Aussie whisky and that makes us evergreen followers of Sullivans Cove. The Tasmanian distillery helped put its respective scene on the world map, after all, and the recently revamped Cambridge outpost continues to churn out exceptional drams in painstakingly small batches. The team is also no stranger to French oak maturation, with a number of acclaimed expressions to show for it (including a mega-rare drop from earlier this year). The latest limited-edition whiskies carry forth the reliable maturation technique but with a twist of Tasmanian Pinot noir influence, to which we say, “Yes, please!”

Sullivans Cove’s newest releases—Special Cask Editions No. 17 & 18—take their respective names from the single casks in which they were matured. The distillery is well-versed in French oak, but this is the first time it has aged its liquid inside French oak barriques that formerly held Tasmanian Pinot noir. While the resulting flavour profiles of both releases are similar, the ABVs are slightly different. Specifically, Special Cask Edition No. 17 measures in at 46.1% and Special Cask Edition No. 18 delivers a higher ABV of 49.9%.

Between the seven years of French oak maturation and the added element of local Pinot noir comes an expression that’s “distinctly Tasmanian,” to quote distillery manager Heather Tillott. While Pinot noir is often considered lighter and fruitier than other varietals, it transforms inside the cask to cultivate a rich texture and jammy mid-palate. Upon drying out, the wine enhances the spicy and savoury qualities provided by French oak to impart a layered and complex influence.

The good news about single-cask whisky is that it can yield some of the most unique and idiosyncratic flavours that you’ll ever taste. The bad news is that this liquid is supremely scarce by virtue of its own production. Hence, Special Cask Editions No. 17 & 18 will be limited to just 379 and 365 bottles, respectively. Whereas the distillery often employs a ballot system, it is making both bottles available for instant purchase this time around. Head over to the Sullivans Cove website at 10AM on 24 March 2025 (AEST) for a chance to score a bottle for AUD$750. You can also subscribe to the mailing list to be notified as soon as it becomes available.

Those lucky enough to snag a Special Cask Edition can expect a journey of decadent proportions. Said journey begins with a deep nose of dark fruit, truffle, and aged leather, which soon reveals earthy layers of tea leaf, spice, and sandalwood, along with flowery accents and hints of citrus and herb. The palate that follows is creamy in texture and expertly balanced, intermingling sweet notes of red berries, crème brûlée, and earthy mocha with toasted oak and savoury spice. It trails out on a dense finish of silky tannins and briny minerals, leaving dark chocolate, citrus peel, and subtle spice in its wake.

With its latest releases, Sullivans Cove continues to explore new flavours and nuances while staying true to its Tasmanian origins and trusted maturation methods. We’ve never had an unsatisfying dram from this distillery and we don’t expect that trend to change anytime soon. Head over to their website at 10AM on 24 March 2025 (AEST) for a chance to pick up what these folks are throwing down. You won’t be disappointed.