Black Gate 3 Year Old - Batch 1 - That Boutique-y Whisky Company (50cl, 46%)

A three-year-old single malt from the Black Gate distillery in Mendooran, New South Wales, selected by That Boutique-y Whisky Company for its Australia Series MMXXI. It matured in an ex-Apera cask in the region's dry, hot climate and was bottled at 46% in a 50cl bottle, in an edition of 254 numbered bottles. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. The label illustration comes from daily life at the distillery: Frankie the dachshund, who occasionally chases emus off the grounds. Tasting notes describe old, slightly dusty cognac, red grapes, dark sugar and deeply browned caramel on the nose. The palate is full, rich and oily, with dark caramel, buttered dark toast and toffee apple, and the finish stays rich in texture.