Black Gate 3 yo - Batch 2 (That Boutique-Y Whisky Company)

Volume: 0.5 litres | Alcohol content: 46.1% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Former port wine casks shape this Black Gate from the Wine Cask Series. The whisky comes from a solera-style marrying process and is at least three years old; a large proportion of the whiskies it contains matured for longer. For Batch 2, That Boutique-y Whisky Company bought a second cask from Brian and Genise Hollingworth.

The single malt was bottled at 46.1% in 0.5-litre bottles. The numbered release comprises 345 bottles. The label depicts a night-time scene at the distillery, with Frankie the dachshund chasing emus off the property. On this second release, Brian's motorcycle can also be spotted in front of the building.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: On the nose, summer hedgerow blossoms mingle with cherry syrup and chocolate-covered walnuts.
• Palate: On the palate, fig syrup, juicy plums and cherries meet wild strawberries. Spicy pipe tobacco and flambéed sugar complement the fruit.
• Finish: The finish leaves a herbal note.

Distillery/Bottler:

Brian and Genise Hollingworth run Black Gate in New South Wales. Alongside single malt, the distillery also produces dark rum; both are fermented and distilled on site. Brian learnt to distil with Bill Lark in Tasmania. Small maturation casks and the hot, dry climate are integral to the distillery's approach and encourage rapid maturation.

That Boutique-y Whisky Company is an independent bottler working with distilleries from various countries and also creating blends. Its selection includes unusual small batches and whiskies that depart from their distillery's usual style. The hand-drawn labels tell stories about the origins of the releases and the people behind them.

Facts: