Launceston 5 Year Old Batch 1 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) (50cl, 62.6%)

This is a five-year-old single malt from Launceston Distillery in Tasmania, selected by That Boutique-y Whisky Company for its Return to Oz collection of Australian whiskies. Batch 1 was matured in a former bourbon barrel and bottled at cask strength, 62.6%, in 187 numbered 50cl bottles. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. The illustrated label shows Angus, the West Highland terrier of distiller Chris Condon, interviewing a Tasmanian devil for a security job at the distillery. The nose recalls custard-filled biscuits with green banana and heavily grilled pineapple. On the palate the banana turns sweeter, with caramelised brown sugar and a herbal, leafy note. The finish is medium in length, ending in lasting vanilla sweetness.