Timboon Single Malt Whisky

★★★★☆

♝ - Great complex whisky for seasoned tasters 
♟ - Good choice also for beginners, 40% alcohol volume and very smooth 

This whisky is smooth and gentle, but quite unexpectedly it releases bursts of flavour that shine brightly. This brightness does not reach its full potential, though, because this whisky is at 40% alcohol volume. Even at this strength, this whisky is sensational. I go weak at the knees wondering what a Timboon whisky would be like at cask strength! This bottling is one of the most enjoyable whiskies I have had the pleasure of tasting, and I think it is ideal for beginners and seasoned tasters because while it is mild and gentle it has shimmers of power and lots of complexity and depth.

Timboon Distillery 

The Timboon Distillery is located in Timboon, Victoria, Australia. It brings to life the fascinating history of illicit whisky production in Victoria, and inspired by this history the owners of Timboon Distillery have, I think, produced an iconic Australian whisky that carries with it the feel of 1890's "Mountain Dew" (the name given to whisky produced in the Timboon District in the 1890's) and the precision of modern whisky making. Just like the 1890's Mountain Dew, the Timboon whisky is as smooth as new milk but with some ferocity and fire. For some reason this whisky reminds me of "Mad Dog" Morgan (aka Daniel Morgan, John Fuller), a Bushranger. This seems to fit in with the theme of Timboon Distillery.

Why this whisky brings to mind "Mad Dog" Morgan 

"Mad Dog" Morgan,
Australian Bushranger

Bushrangers, for the many Americans who visit this blog, are Australia's answer to outlaw cowboys. Like outlaw cowboys in America, most Bushrangers enjoyed whisky (possibly a little too much!) and some even distilled whisky. They also enjoyed lots of other things, but best to keep this blog MA rated! (just think Roy O'Bannan from Shanghai Noon).

The Timboon Single Malt Whisky is a friendly mild mannered whisky that is easy to drink, but it has flurries of anger; just like "Mad Dog" Morgan. In folklore "Mad Dog" Morgan is known as the traveler's friend, and he was protected by many against the long arm of the law. He was not all cuddles and smiles though, because he is described as a man who would, without hesitation, shoot down two men. He died in Peechelba, Victoria, on 8 April 1865, so he would never have tasted the "Mountain Dew" from Timboon. Pity, that would have made my blog post perfect!

Tasting Notes - Timboon 


Nose 

The nose is incredibly light and fresh, with whiffs of pinot gris, almond extract and very light sprinklings of cardamon. Mild notes of orange flesh are accompanied by a light wine dryness and gusts of freshness, spring water, rainfall, winter morning dew. Sensational! It is very complex for such a young whisky.

Taste 

On the palate, as expected, this whisky begins light and fresh. It has a luscious oily texture that delivers an array of flavours gracefully, but with spark and bravado. This is a deceptive character, so mild mannered on the nose but then delivering a burst of flavours on the palate while retaining a polite demeanor.... the travelers friend who would without hesitation shoot down two men in a blaze of fury!

This whisky glides against the glass beautifully, as its lusciousness meets the tongue and coats it smooth as new milk! The whisky hugs the side of the glass like a long lost friend.

The distinctive flavour of maple and oak is first noticeable, with helpings of thick cream. Wedges of fresh mandarin pieces with dusting of cocoa are brought together with a lovely maple syrup and rich oak; mahogany in fact. It is not all mild, with sparks of bakery spices  - cinnamon and chewy ginger bread - adding some more character. All this is accompanied with dry chardonnay, which strikes the palate a little drier than the pinot gris on the nose. Towards the end the taste of raisins develop with very ripe baby figs, almost like a sticky date pudding with shavings of almond and dashes of port.

Finish 

This whisky dances on the tongue softly and quietly, with developing flavours as that lovely fruit morphs into dried apricot, bursts of toffee and candied apple.

Throughout the whole experience there is a bitterness, but it is almost perfectly balanced.

The downside is that this whisky loses its pop after being open for a while.