Hellyers Road 2004/2026 - 22 y.o. - 1st. Fill Bourbon Barrel #4043.05

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 61.2% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This heavily peated Hellyers Road spent its 22 years of maturation in a first-fill American oak bourbon barrel. The whisky was distilled on 12 February 2004 and bottled in 2026 from cask 4043.05. La Maison du Whisky selected the single cask exclusively for the Collection Anthology.

This release was made using heavily peated Scottish malted barley with a phenol content of 40 to 50 ppm. Fermentation lasting around 50 hours was followed by distillation in pot stills. The whisky combines its pronounced peaty character with chocolate, waxy and fruity impressions, as well as vanilla.

Salt, iodine, seaweed and sea spray mingle with gamey notes and hints of petrol and tar. Grapefruit and lemon add tart accents.

The cask yielded 130 bottles of 0.7 litres each. This official bottling was bottled at a cask strength of 61.2%, without chill filtration or added colouring. It comes in white-and-gold gift packaging featuring a map design and a display window.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Germinating barley initially takes centre stage on the powerful, deep nose. Earthy, root-like and phenolic impressions mingle with slate, smoked ham and smoked fish. Mirabelle plums and acacia honey sit in the background. Distinctive peat smoke is joined by gentle vanilla and caramel notes, along with hints of malt.
• Palate: The whisky feels rich and supple on the palate. A burning cigar, soot and charcoal accompany a pronounced malty character. As it develops, intense floral notes of lilies and iris emerge, complemented by alfalfa, clover and chocolate. Prominent peat meets caramel sweetness and spicy oak.
• Finish: Pineapple, banana, lavender honey and Russian leather emerge retronasally on the long finish, surrounded by intense smoke. The finish remains dry and smoky, with subtle vanilla and oak lingering alongside.

Distillery/Bottler:

Hellyers Road was established in north-western Tasmania in 1997, growing out of a dairy cooperative whose roots date back to 1956. The founders applied their dairy-processing experience to the construction of their unusual stills. Descendants of the original farming families remain involved in the company today.

The tall, cylindrical wash still provides ample headspace, encouraging reflux. Both distillation runs proceed slowly, while copper condensers provide additional copper contact. The cuts between distillation fractions are guided by sensory assessments and the intended style. Hellyers Road has used Scottish peated malt for its peated whiskies since around 2004. Its warehouses are situated around the distillery, some close to the Bass Strait, where a cool, humid maritime climate accompanies maturation.

Facts: