Shiraz Cask

Single malt whisky is a type of whisky that has been produced solely in one distillery, using only barley. This differs from most commercially produced whisky, which typically uses blends from various distilleries — and sometimes utilises different grains — to maintain a consistent flavour on a year-to-year basis. By contrast, single malts are often highly sought after for the unique flavours that emerge from different years of production.

Here at Manly Spirits, we will periodically release a single malt whisky to the public. You can find our range today right here in our online store.

Tasting notes for single malt whisky are very similar in purpose to tasting notes for any other alcoholic beverage associated with subtle flavours — wine, gin or beer, for example. It’s a selection of underlying flavours within the whisky that emerge both on the nose and on the palate. These flavours are imbued into the whisky via the new make spirit and choice of barrels, helping lend a variety of nuances to the overall flavour. Having tasting notes handy can also be useful for referencing a whisky you enjoyed compared to another that tickled your palate.

These flavours are not always immediately apparent to new drinkers. However, with practice, patience — and sometimes a drop of water added to your dram — the flavours within will gradually reveal themselves.

Single malt whisky is highly prized in Australia and around the world due to the comparative difficulty and additional work involved in its creation. The nature of their production means that single malts are much rarer. As it’s all produced in the same distillery — as opposed to blended varieties which utilise whisky from multiple distilleries — it lends a certain prestige to the drink. It also means that the flavour is truly unique to the distillery itself.

Aficionados differ on which type of whisky is the “best”, and it’s fair to say that individual preferences play a substantial role. But there’s no question that single malts are highly sought after around the world, often attracting considerable attention from collectors.