Amber Lane Noble Lane Single Malt Whisky
I love whiskies matured in sweet white wine casks. I'd crawl over glass for a Sauternes cask-aged Springbank. So naturally, I'm an advocate of Australian whisky distilleries using wonderful sweet white wine casks (like botrytis semillion casks) to mature whisky and balance ex-bourbon casks. Whiskies like this are, unfortunately, rare. However, with Noble Lane as one of Amber Lane's core products, this whisky will allow more Aussies to try the style. The flamboyantly welcoming nose of frangipane, Passiona and marzipan here is what this style of whisky is all about, so we're off to a good start, and with time in the glass, the high-alcohol is nicely subdued. Oak and grain are also present, balancing the fruit and florals. These honeyed floral notes continue through to the palate, and while this isn't perhaps the most complex whisky in the world, it's light, bright and fun while still maintaining a serious palate weight and grip thanks to the high ABV, yet with almost zero burn. This is a cracking whisky and something I hope Amber Lane keeps as part of their offering moving forward. Also, $225 for a 57% whisky under Australia's brutal spirits tax regime is very reasonable.
