Australia’s oldest whisky is almost done developing its prefrontal cortex. Award-winning Tasmanian distillery Sullivans Cove has unveiled its 24-Year-Old Single-Cask Whisky, somewhat unromantically named HH0004.
Its commitment to long term maturation in full-size casks over the past three decades has allowed Sullivans Cove to consistently release some of the country’s finest and oldest whiskies, with the 24-year-old taking expression taking the title of the country’s oldest from the distillery’s 22-year-old, the latter of which was released in 2022.
Laid down during the distillery’s fifth year of operation, the HH0004 spent almost a quarter of a century in a second-fill American Oak barrel, with the liquid sampled 19 times in the last three years to ascertain the perfect time for bottling.
“The crafting of truly great single-cask whisky is a journey of engagement,” said Heather Tillott, distillery manager at Sullivans Cove. “The people involved must be engaged with the liquid and the process through every season of the expedition. Using their senses to listen to the maturation and asking: ‘What does this spirit need to reach its full potential?’”
A liquid epitome of Sullivans Cove’s flair for depth and a nuanced palate, the 24-year-old HH0004 was bottled at 52% ABV and opens with heady florals, dark treacle, oaky maple syrup, berry jam, and hints of anise on the nose. As the whisky breathes, it reveals tropical flower and fruit notes of frangipani, pineapple, and coconut, which are accented by gingerbread and cinnamon.
Boasting a satisfyingly thick and oily mouthfeel, the Sullivan’s Cove 24-Year-Old HH0004 is laced with flavours of hazelnuts, walnuts, toasted almonds, and maple syrup, accompanied by lashings of honey, oak spice, and aloe vera. A herbal layer of chamomile and mint is accented by hints of savoury notes, which quickly give way to caramel and marshmallow notes, with a long finish of leathery vanilla, cantaloupe, and lemon lollies.
Founded in 1994, Sullivans Cove celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Undeniably one of Australia’s preeminent distilleries, the Tasmanian output has won World’s Best at the World Whiskies Awards in 2014, 2018, and 2019.
The Sullivan’s Cove 24-Year-Old HH0004 is limited to 335 bottles, each priced at $2500AUD. Bottles are available through an online ballot exclusively to Sullivans Cove mailing list subscribers, with the ballot opening on the 20th of May, 2024.
Words by Theo Rosen
