Joy and hope, family and friends, and a celebration of togetherness are all handy words if you’re looking to define ‘Christmas Spirit’. But what if you want to define the Christmas spirit? Well, in that case you only need three: LARK’s Christmas Cask.
Making a very welcome return for the 2023 festive season, LARK Distilling Co.’s Christmas Cask is the standard bearer for an impressive raft of gifting options from Australia’s finest whisky distillery. Any one of these delicious offerings from the Tasmanian whisky masters will have your favourite dram enthusiast singing Santa’s praises, whether they’re savouring notes of gingerbread and marzipan from their new favourite single malt or diving into a gift pack with multiple delights to sample – the only problem is resisting the urge to open these delights before December 25.
With that big day fast approaching, read on to discover the perfect gift both for the discerning dram devotee and—let’s be honest here—for yourself as well. Starting with the expression that’s as festive as a bottled Christmas carol…
The Christmas Cask
If ever a whisky was destined to be left out for Santa to sample on his way through, LARK’s Christmas Cask is it. Presented in a premium gift box that’s waiting to be signed and personalised before wrapping, this limited release takes LARK’s award-winning single malt and maturates it within singular Christmas casks: Frogmore Creek red wine barrels infused with the essence of the preceding season’s fruit mince pies, courtesy of Hobart’s own Jean Pascal pâtisserie. As this year’s release has a double finish, twice the fruit mince pie flavour has been imparted into the final whisky. This has resulted in a merry aroma of caramelised orange, nutmeg, and dried fruits, with layered flavours of rich toffee, marzipan, and fresh gingerbread, followed by a warm and buttery finish. Basically, it’s a Christmas miracle in whisky form. Price: AUD$250
The Christmas Cask Gift Pack
For those seeking out the ultimate luxury stocking-filler, LARK’s Christmas Cask Gift Pack deserves to be at the top of the list. Pairing a 100mL bottle containing all of the fruity, nutty, buttery goodness outlined above with an elegant Glencairn-style glass, this refined pack is the perfect companion for a little solo Christmas celebration. Gift it to someone special or to yourself as a well-deserved reward for making it this far through the silly season. Price: AUD$90
The Signature Collection Flight
For those looking to gift whisky that occupies the more traditional end of the flavour spectrum, this award-winning range of Tasmanian single malts will be just the ticket. The Signature Collection Flight boasts LARK’s Classic Cask, Tasmanian Peated, and Rebellion single malt whiskies, which come together to provide a sensory journey intended to recall the beauty of the Tasmanian landscape.
Starting that journey— and setting the benchmark for LARK’s single malt offering—the Classic Cask is double-distilled and aged in a considered selection of small casks. This is followed by the delicate properties of the Tasmanian Peated, boasting hints of woodsmoke weaving through the air as earthy peat and delicate florals transport your senses into the Tasmanian wilderness. And finally, the Rebellion expression boasts a distinctive sun-kissed quality, with layers of candied citrus, malt, and a bittersweet edge. Together, they create a Tasmanian expedition worth taking again and again. Price: AUD$160
Slainte Tasmanian Whisky Liqueur
A combination of LARK’s finest single malt whisky and a secret selection of botanicals, this intriguingly complex liqueur is a wonderfully festive ode to sugar and spice, making it a handy way of injecting some vibrancy into any Christmas celebration. With caramel, vanilla, and oak providing a stage for notes of star anise, nutmeg, and orange peel, it’s guaranteed to provide a delicious, sophisticated tasting experience. Whether you’re using it as the base for an assortment of Christmas cocktails or enjoying it neat, you won’t find a more enticing apéritif. Price: AUD$70
Tokay 100 Rare Cask Series
A gift that deserves to be saved for someone really special, this landmark single malt has been aged in barrels that once held a blend of museum Tokay from Seppeltsfield — one of the oldest and most prestigious wine estates in Australia. The blend in question contained a precious parcel of 100-year-old wine, which has contributed to this extremely rare drop’s enticing nose of Manuka honey, followed by flavours of fudge and apricot, before concluding with an ice tea finish. If you’re determined to make this year’s Christmas one to remember, look no further. Price: AUD$1,000
If you’ve been particularly good this year (and even if you haven’t), nothing will get you into the Christmas Spirit like some delicious Christmas spirits, and in that regard they don’t get any better than LARK’s Christmas Cask and its siblings. To discover more about The Christmas Cask or to further explore LARK Distilling Co.’s full range of irresistible whiskies, simply follow the link below.
