The Lark Distillery

Whisky #590: Lark Head Distiller’s Release

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Lark Head Distiller’s Release (created exclusively for The Whisky Club). Tasmania, Australia. ABV: 45.6%. Tasted at Whisky a Day HQ, $135 (bottle).

Colour: Slightly dulled copper pipe.

Nose: Blackcurrant Soother’s, treacle and hessian sacks.

Palate: Raisins, worn leather, toasted oak, ginger.

Finish: Moderately oily mouthfeel, short-to-medium length. Melted butter and juicy blueberries. Soft tannins and damp woody notes in the fade.

Comments: The Lark Head Distiller’s Release comprises of whisky matured in 100L ex port and ex Sherry casks, then married together. A very tasty whisky with lots going on, but it’s almost a bit too much happening…like your taste buds have spun the flavour wheel of fortune a little too hard.

Whisky #247 – The Lark Distillery Port Cask Finish (Bottled 2013)

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_3771The Lark Distillery Port Cask Finish (Bottled 2013). Tasmania, Australia. ABV: 46.0%. Tasted at home, $45 (100mL bottle).

Colour: Quite an orangey bronze.

Nose: Initially it was a little harsh, but after a short while in the glass the nose softens revealing muscatels and charred oak.

Palate: Rich and full flavoured; toffee sweetness balanced with slightly tart fruity flavours. Tastes a little stronger than 46% ABV.

Finish: Quite dry; cocoa and cigar box flavours. Gentle warmth fades in a medium to long finish.

Comments: Another great offering from The Lark. To be honest, when I took my first sip I was a little disappointed as I thought it was a bit raw and harsher than the other Lark Port Cask Finish (also bottled in 2013) I recently tried. But in the name of science, I pressed on and continued the tasting – I’m very glad that I did as it developed into a great drop. I still rate the Lark Sherry Cask Finish as my favourite Lark expression that I’ve tried so far this year, but the Port Cask offerings are not too far behind.

Whisky #182 – The Lark Distillery Port Cask Finish (Bottled 2013)

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_3459The Lark Distillery Port Cask Finish (Bottled 2013). Tasmania, Australia. ABV: 43%. Tasted at Yallingup White Tail’s Rest holiday home, $40 (100mL bottle).

Colour: Bright toffee.

Nose: Not as sweet as the sherry matured Lark we just tried. Vanilla, cocoa & faint tobacco.

Palate: Toasted dried fruit flavours. A lot softer than the sherry matured Lark.

Finish: Soft pepper, soft sweet notes too. Medium length, a little drier than the sherry dram.

Comments: It’s ok, in fact it’s quite decent. But after the sherry dram raised expectations very high it makes it a little hard to live up to those.

Whisky #181 – The Lark Distillery Sherry Cask Finish (Bottled 2013)

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_3457Lark Distillery Sherry Cask Finish (Bottled 2013). Tasmania, Australia. ABV: 58%. Tasted at Yallingup White Tail’s Rest holiday home, $47 (100mL bottle).

Colour: Deep golden syrup.

Nose: Creamy toffee; sticky date pudding. Smells like a honey badger.

Palate: Toasted sweet vanilla flavours. Big warmth, but not overpowering. Very smooth for a dram at 58%.

Finish: Creamy oily mouthfeel. Flavours, spice and heat balanced nicely. Warmth fills the mouth and builds as the flavours very gradually (and unfortunately) begin to subside.

Comments: Wow. Stunning. I could drink this all night, a shame I’ve only got such a small bottle.

Whisky #178 – The Lark Distillery Port Cask finish (Barrel #226)

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FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailby featherIMG_3448Lark Port Cask finish (Barrel #226). Tasmania, Australia. ABV: 58%. Tasted at Yallingup White Tail’s Rest holiday home, $0 courtesy of my mate Joel.

Colour: Glorious gold.

Nose: At 58%, I expected it might be a lot more confronting up the nose; it’s actually quite subtle. There were some unusual savoury kind of notes, a little salty…it sounds really strange, but it actually reminds me a little of the flavour sachets from Maggi 2 minute chicken noodles. Comfort food from my childhood.

Palate: Thankfully it has a lot more flavour depth and complexity than 2 minute noodles. Salty, but some vanilla notes and a touch of sweetness too. Meaty. Oily mouthfeel, but not too slippery.

Finish: Loooooong. Minty meaty tingle lingers.

Comments: I enjoyed this one because it is unusual and had many twists and turns along the way. I probably enjoyed the palate more than the other components. Not the finest example of Lark that I’ve tried, but it certainly adds to the fabric of their offerings.