According to sales data from Dan Murphy's, sales of single malt whisky increased by over 50 per cent in the week leading up to Father’s Day last year, and the drinks retailer is expecting a similar uplift this year.
“Single malt is the true expression of a distillery, and is a good choice for dad on Father’s Day as it is top shelf whisky,” said Dan Murphy’s Spirit’s & Premix Category Manager, James Duvnjak.
One of the ultimate gift choices for Father’s Day is Australian single malt. According to the sales data, Dan Murphy’s has seen Australian whisky increase 150 per cent.
“Two of the biggest trends we are seeing across drinks at the moment are customers wanting to support local producers and to drink better, and Australian whisky neatly ticks both of those boxes,” Mr Duvnjak explained.
Sales of Single Malt whisky have increased in prominence as a drink of choice for Australians, particularly since the first COVID lockdown in March 2020.
“With everyone staying home due to COVID, we saw customers really start to think about their drink choices differently. Just as people started to make sourdough and pasta at home, they needed better drinks to match with them.
"Single Malt was one of the main trends that has been growing over the past five years that was all of a sudden at the forefront of people's minds. Trends we expected to build over the next three to five years happened in three months,” he added.
Single malt whisky is whisky made from 100 per cent malted barley and distilled at a single distillery.
“Even though some single malts from similar regions can have common characteristics, each individual distillery's expression will have its own unique methods which deliver flavours, aromas and traditions that cannot be replicated,” Mr Duvnjak explained.
Dan Murphy’s has almost 200 single malts to choose from, and more than 120 Australian whiskies in its range across online and stores.
Dan Murphy’s Spirit’s & Premix Category Manager, James Duvnjak's Top 5 Single Malt suggestions
Lark Classic Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky ($179.99)
Made in Tasmania and double-distilled in locally crafted copper-pot stills and aged in carefully selected small casks, Lark Classic Cask Whisky features citrus and butterscotch with a hint of Tasmanian peat. A great balance of sweet, spicy and savoury elements make this the perfect dram for whisky-lovers.
Hellyers Road Pinot Noir Finish Single Malt Australian Whisky ($98.99)
Tasmanian grown malted barley and pure rainwater are harnessed along with casks previously used to mature fine Tasmanian Pinot Noir to produce this truly tailored malt whisky. Richness, texture and an eternal length of flavour will provide any true malt lover with a new world whisky experience to remember.
Glengoyne 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($89.99)
Bridging the boundary of the Highlands and Lowlands, Glengoyne is a unique distillery in that they don't use peat smoke to dry their barley, rather they simply use warm air. This gives the whiskies they produce a feel of grace and subtlety. Their 12 Year Old Single Malt has a nose of lemon rind and candied apples and glimmer of coconut. The palate is dense and flavoursome courtesy of the hand-selected sherry casks that also impart a textured, long lasting finish.
Tamdhu 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($84.99)
Pour yourself a dram of this 12-year-old expression and you’ll appreciate why Tamdhu mature their spirit entirely in the finest sherry oak casks. The luxury box reveals the stylish bottle, allowing the natural amber spirit to shine from within. You’ll taste the intense richness on the palate and enjoy the deep, long finish it delivers.
Glen Moray Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($53.99)
This Classic Port Cask Scotch Whisky is a new addition to the Glen Moray Single Malt Family. It has the perfect combination of rich wine flavours with vanilla oak notes because it is matured from the finest American oak barrels then matured for another 8 months in Port pipes. This Whisky is specially selected by the master distiller due to the fact that it is well balanced and full of character.
Two Australian Whisky Masters
Firstly, Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel 48 per cent from Copper and Grain Distilling was awarded the top award, described by judges as “delicious”, with a “velvety palate” full of “butterscotch, honey porridge” and a “lovely malty finish”.
While the latest – and yet to be released – from Starward’s stable, Unexpeated single malt also secured the top medal. Judges commented on its “very good maturation”, which delivered “creamy, rum and raisin” aromas, and “toffee, tobacco and lots of oaky goodness” on the palate.
Experience one of Australia's most eagerly anticipated whisky releases: 78 Degrees
In 2020, Sacha La Forgia was named Distiller of the Year at the international Icons of Gin 2020 awards and the Adelaide Hills Distillery 2020 Native Grain Weeping Grass Whiskey was awarded best grain whiskey at the World Whiskies Award in London earlier this year.
Mighty Craft purchased his Adelaide Hills Distillery - now known as 78 Degrees - earlier this year, to accelerate their whisky production and become a leading player in the emerging Australian whisky market. Mr LaForgia has been now appointed to the acceleration committee along with Chris Malcolm and George Campbell.
The distillery will add over 78K litres of mature whisky to Mighty Craft's group inventories this calendar year and the acquisition is expected to help grow Mighty Craft’s total spirit production capacity to 1.5 million bottles next financial year, making it one of the largest Australian craft spirit producers and a leading player in the emerging Australian whisky market.
The Whisky List has partnered with 78 Degrees to share one of the first tastings in the world of the 78° Muscat Cask Whiskey, a celebration of Australia and its wine industry, redefining what Australian Whiskey can be.
The Whisky List's tasting session on Thursday, 9 September at 7.30pm. Tickets available here.
Glenfiddich & The Balvenie Father’s Day cocktail collection
Everleigh Bottling Co has created a collection of four chic whisky-led cocktails showcasing premium whiskies, including:
- ‘Bobby Burns’ featuring The Balvenie 12 year, Benedictine, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters
- ‘Joker’ featuring Glenfiddich 15 year, absinthe, Angostura bitters and sugar
- ‘Rob Roy’ featuring The Balvenie 12 year, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters
- ‘Tattletale’ featuring Glenfiddich 15 year, Glenfiddich Fire & Cane (peated), honey and Angostura bitters
Mixed by The Everleigh’s expert bartenders and manufactured to the most exacting standards, simply pour each cocktail over ice, garnish and have it made.
Order at: everleighbottling.com
Price: $85
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