Tasmanian Distillery Discovers a Lost Cask and Turns It Into Whisky

by Francis Moses

Tuesday, 10 March 2026 at 09:35The Whiskey Wash

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The Australian Sullivans Cove Distillery is drawing attentions with a special whisky release. A cask filled in 2008 reappeared after 17 years and contained a precious amount of single malt whisky in it. With this a brand new limited edition whisky was born and releases.

The single malt single cask whisky has aged in a French oak former tawny cask, which was filled in July 2008 and matured for 17 years before bottling. The cask was finally selected for launch as TD0297.

A rare cask bottled at full strength

This is in contrast to many older whiskies that are diluted before bottling. This one was issued at cask strength. That is to say, the whisky was bottled as it was taken from the barrel. The outcome is a formidable spirit with an ABV of 61.3%.

According to Sullivans Cove, the distillery does not normally have releases this. Bottlings of cask strength are seldom made, at this age Heather Tillott, the distillery manager, states.

'After more than seventeen years in French oak, it had developed remarkable depth and composure, and bottling it at cask strength allowed us to share it exactly as we encountered it in the warehouse.'

- Heather Tillott

The distillery has French oak casks in its history

One of the key identities of Sullivans Cove is French oak ex-tawny casks. Actually, one of these casks helped put the distillery on the world map of whisky. In 2014, a French Oak single cask, which is not an offering of Scotland or Japan, won the World Whiskies Awards with the World's Best Single Malt.

The style has since gained great demand among whisky consumers and collectors.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Aromas of grapefruit skin, glace pineapple, candied apple and walnuts. Also the familiar waxy nature of the distillery is there.
Palate: A rich and oily character, with apparent presentation of kumquat, green apple, lychee, and slight mint.
Finish: Chocolate and orange, gingerbread, jasmine and lingering spice.

The whisky was bottled at 61.3% ABV in only 343 bottles worldwide.

Where can this Sullivans Cove whisky be purchased?

A bottle is contained in a handmade, solid blackwood presentation box, along with a personal letter from the distiller's manager. Rather than a usual sale, there is a ballot sale of the whisky on the Sullivans Cove website. Interested buyers are required to fill out their ballots to have a chance to buy a bottle. Due to the low number of bottles produced, demand will be high.

FAQ

Where is Sullivans Cove Distillery located?
The distillery is operating in Tasmania
How strong is the new Sullivans Cove whisky?
This whisky has been bottled at 61.3% ABV cask strength.
How to obtain a bottle of this limited edition whisky?
The production of bottles was limited to 343 worldwide, and they can be obtained via a ballot at the Sullivans Cove site.