World first: Jacob's Creek releases whisky-barrel-aged chardonnay

Jacob's Creek has announced the addition of a Chardonnay crafted in aged Scotch whisky barrels to its Double Barrel range. 

Jacob’s Creek winemaker Trina Smith (pictured above) said: “Double Barrel Chardonnay breaks conventions and challenges all the expectations you have of Chardonnay because it is made so differently.” 

The juice is split in half to make Double Barrel Chardonnay. The first half is fermented in whisky barrels, and then matured in wine barrels. The second half is fermented in wine barrels, and then finished in whisky barrels.

Smith added: “We chose to make our first Double Barrel white from Chardonnay because the variety works so well in oak. But Scotch whisky barrels are very different from French oak wine barrels. With Scotch whisky barrels, the oak is significantly coarser while the staves are narrower and charred black with intense heat ; the overall effect is increased oxygen ingression. This yielded characteristics we hadn’t seen before in Chardonnay.   

"It’s not like any Chardonnay you have ever tasted. It has delicious intense ripe citrus flavours with complex aromas of toasted malt, cut apples and peanut brittle. The palate is fresh and vibrant - tightly defined with a firm structure due to the influence of the whisky barrel, and softened by a delicate creamy texture on the back palate. It’s not Chardonnay; it’s Double Barrel Chardonnay and it’s something totally new.” 

Smith was appointed Group White & Sparkling winemaker at Jacob's Creek in 2016. She has more than 20 years of winemaking experience in the United States, South Africa, Italy and Australia.

At Jacob's Creek she is focussed on pushing the boundaries of winemaking.

“The beauty of being able to innovate and try new things is it helps keep the passion alive,” Smith explained.

This is the first white to be released under the Jacob's Creek Double Barrel range, which launched in 2014 with a Shiraz finished in aged Scotch whisky barrels and a Cabernet Sauvignon finished in Irish whisky barrels. Double Barrel has been a huge success for the iconic Australian wine brand, and is now available in 20 countries around the world.  

Sourced from premium regions, Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Chardonnay 2017 is a full-bodied white that can be savoured on its own or enjoyed with dishes that include smoked salmon, creamy dressings or grilled chicken. Its richer, softer, smoother character can be appreciated now or cellared until 2022.  

At a recommended retail price of $24.99, new Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Chardonnay is available from all good liquor stores.