I love having the opportunity to review the first releases of a new Australian whisky distillery, especially when their first batch is up to such a high standard.
Westernport Distillery is a true small-batch, hands-on operation — the passion project of mates David and Scott, who have poured themselves (and more than a little sweat) into building their craft distillery on the shores of Westernport Bay, Victoria. Everything happens in-house — brewing, distilling, ageing, and bottling. They even trained in coopering, focusing on antique barrels to create rich, distinctive flavours.
I always keep an eye out for new and emerging Australian distilleries, so when David and Scott offered to send samples from their very first release, I jumped at the chance. I review whiskies honestly whether purchased or gifted, but I can say up front — I was genuinely impressed with what I tasted.
Sherry Cask – Batch 01
A single malt aged in a single 100L Australian sherry cask for around five years (non-age-statement on the label, disclosed on the website). Bottled at 50% ABV, non-chill-filtered, no added colour.
Appearance: Amber gold with thick, moderately slow legs.
Nose: Ripe cherries, caramel, and a note hovering between coffee and dark chocolate. A faint wood spice, like damp oak staves steeped in wine, adds depth.
Palate: Raisins and caramel lead, joined by dark chocolate mid-palate. The oily mouthfeel is luxurious, softening into burnt butter with cinnamon and a trace of Apera. Deep warmth in the chest without overwhelming ethanol.
Finish: Lingering oily residue carries caramel, toffee, and dark chocolate, with a soft oak exhale.
Port Cask – Batch 01
A single malt aged in a single 100L Australian port cask for around five years (non-age-statement on the label, disclosed on the website). Bottled at 50% ABV, non-chill-filtered, no added colour.
Appearance: Amber with a faint reddish hue; thick, fast-running legs.
Nose: Earthy balance of oak and dark berries, lifted by sweet caramelised plums.
Palate: Fruit-forward sweetness — raisins, sugar plums, and other dark fruits — underpinned by honey and gentle oak.
Finish: Fruity sweetness fades into vanilla with a touch of chocolate.
Muscat Cask – Batch 01
Initially aged in ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in an antique 50-year-old Australian muscat cask. Non-age-statement, bottled at 52% ABV, non-chill-filtered, no added colour.
Appearance: Light amber with thick, moderately slow legs.
Nose: Golden syrup leaps out first — unusually prominent — supported by toffee and a trace of nutmeg.
Palate: Golden syrup carries through, joined by toffee, coffee, and a creamy mouthfeel that belies the 52% ABV.
Finish: Long and lingering at the back of the palate — sweet toffee, orange marmalade, and the gentle aroma of coffee beans.
Final Thoughts
For a first release, Westernport’s Batch 01 shows maturity and confidence you’d expect from a distillery several bottlings into its journey. These aren’t “good but could’ve used more time in cask” whiskies — they’ve been bottled at the perfect moment, delivering complexity, balance, and well-developed character.
Westernport is a name worth remembering. If Batch 01 is any indication, they’ll be a distillery to watch closely in the coming years.