Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky of 2025
The Hellyers Road Peated 21 Year Old has been awarded the title of Best Australian Single Malt Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards 2025. With only 300 bottles ever released, this limited-edition Tasmanian whisky represents a remarkable achievement in an industry still young by global standards. But what makes this whisky stand out — and does it live up to the hype of being named Australia’s best?
A Rare Age Statement in Australian Whisky
The Australian whisky industry, only formally legalised in 1995, is still less than 30 years old. Long-aged expressions remain rare, largely due to the angel’s share: in Scotland, casks lose 1–2% per year, but in Australia, losses can be as high as 10%. This makes it difficult for distilleries to hold stock for extended periods, as much of the whisky evaporates before reaching maturity.
Tasmania, with its cooler, maritime climate, is the exception. It allows distilleries such as Hellyers Road to age whiskies well beyond the 10-year mark. The Peated 21 Year Old is the oldest Australian whisky I’ve personally reviewed — and at 21 years, it demonstrates both patience and craft.
Cask Influence: Peated Finish
The Hellyers Road Peated 21 Year Old spent 17 years in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels, before being transferred to a peated cask (one that had previously held Hellyers Road’s own peated spirit) for its final four years.
This finishing period doesn’t create an overpowering smokiness; instead, it adds a subtle peat influence that integrates with the whisky’s natural complexity. At 52.5% ABV (cask strength), it’s robust but impressively smooth, with balance that speaks to its long maturation.
Only 300 bottles were released worldwide, making it a rare and collectible piece of Australian whisky history.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Golden auburn in colour with slow, oily legs — a good sign of texture and flavour retention.
Nose: Sweet golden syrup and caramel notes, roasted nut character, reminiscent of macadamias or walnuts, with hints of stone fruit (peach) alongside a faint coastal saltiness.
Palate: Caramel sweetness carries through with an oily, earthy mouthfeel. The smoke presents more as a charred barrel note than overt peat. There are hints of floral notes, like or potpourri-like complexity. Vanilla undertones support the balance of flavours.
Finish: Sweetness fades quickly, leaving earthy flavours of dark chocolate and coffee lingering on the palate.
Award-Winning Balance
Many cask strength whiskies over 50% can feel aggressive, but the Hellyers Road Peated 21 Year Old is remarkably well integrated. The flavours are harmonised, with no single note dominating. It’s easy to see why judges at the World Whiskies Awards considered it Australia’s best — though of course, taste is always subjective.
The limited number of entries each year, as well as individual judges’ preferences, always play a role in results. Still, if every panellist agreed on this whisky’s quality, it’s safe to say it represents one of the finest Australian drams currently available.
Final Thoughts
The Hellyers Road Peated 21 Year Old is a milestone release — a rare, aged Australian whisky that balances sweetness, nuttiness, subtle smoke, and earthy depth with finesse. At 21 years old, it demonstrates what is possible when Tasmanian distilleries commit to long maturation in a challenging climate.
With only 300 bottles available, it’s a dram that few will get to experience. But for those lucky enough, it’s an unforgettable example of Australian single malt whisky at its peak.
Update: I have also reviewed the Hellyers Road American Oak 22 Year Old, another category winner at the World Whisky Awards 2025.