Hellyers Road Distillery The Iberian Whisky

When Hellyers Road says Sherry and Port on the label, they mean the real stuff from Europe, not the Aussie versions. It's not that our local stuff is bad - in fact, the opposite - but it is different, so I appreciate transparency. This whisky is that chocolate-red colour that makes you salivate even before you've had a smell, but like most Hellyers releases, the fact that they've used full-sized casks means the freshness of good Tassie barley isn't overpowered by fortified wine, even at 9 years old. There's a typical Hellyers note of menthol and bright almond extract, along with some intricate wine and oak notes. It reminds me of a delicate French pastry soaked in brandy - generous and complex. Fresh maraschino liqueur dominates the easygoing palate, and this would only make a fantastic dram after a big bowl of pasta. Not at all your grandpa's sherried whisky.