The Hunter Valley has welcomed its first whiskey distillery.
Located a short stroll from luxury accommodation provider Tower Lodge, Tower Whiskey Distillery is the latest offering from the region’s well-loved Hope family.
Set among the vineyards that have long been regarded as world-class, the state-of-the-art tasting room offers visitors a hosted tasting experience of its first release Single Cask, Single Malt Whiskeys.
The Tower range consisting of four whiskeys, is distilled, aged and bottled onsite at the distillery.
Included in the initial release are Bourbon Barrel No. B1, French malbec Cask No. 7, American Shiraz Cask No. 3, and French Fortified Cask No.9.
Hope Estate founder Michael Hope says the Tower Whiskey Distillery offered an opportunity to bring the taste of the Hunter Valley to site-distilled, small batch whiskeys, tying together all aspects of the multi-faceted business.
“To make whiskey wash (the base of whiskey) we use the Hope Estate Brewery, and the spent grain is then used to feed our Angus cattle that we have breeding here onsite,” he said.
“We also need used wine casks to age our whiskey, which is something we have plenty of.
“To me, bringing whiskey distilling onboard ties the whole business together in a very ecologically sustainable way; it’s an essential piece in the puzzle.”
The casks available at Hope Estate include fortified casks, casks that have held Shiraz, Malbec and Cabernet, as well as French Oak, American Oak, tight and medium grain, heavy and lightly charred, each varied in age.
“It allows us to create some pleasing combinations and we’re thrilled with the variations in the end product,” Michael adds.
Open Friday to Monday, 11am to 5pm, Tower Whiskey Distillery is offering a Whiskey Flight tasting experience from $40 per person.
The first four Single Cask, Single Malt Whiskeys will be available for purchase.
Guests at Tower Lodge can enjoy a complimentary tasting experience included in their package.
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