- Tasmanian whisky distillery Sullivans Cove has announced a 17-Year-Old French Oak Ex-Tawny Single Cask (TD0297).
- Filled in July 2008 and matured for over 17 years, this first-fill French oak cask yielded only 343 bottles at 61.3% ABV cask strength.
- Each bottle is presented in a handcrafted solid oak box and includes a letter from distillery manager Heather Tillott.
- Limited to 343 bottles globally and priced at AUD$2,500, the 17-Year-Old French Oak Ex-Tawny Single Cask (TD0297) is available exclusively via the distillery’s online store from March 5.
It never ceases to amaze me how often whisky labels are able to source old and rare liquid from their back catalogues. I’ve lost count of how many ‘hidden barrels’ have sprung up over the years, unearthed in the back of some warehouse where they’ve sat, seemingly unchecked, for decades. You know the story; a cleaner checks a dusty corner and unearths gold or a false wall in the distillery centre opens to reveal an ageing masterpiece. It’s a romantic notion that appeals to our more nostalgic side but it’s rarely anything more than marketing fiction.
The reality, if you ask me, is actually far more charming.
More often than not, old and rare expressions are the result of decades of careful patience. It starts with a vision, long before that first barrel is laid down, when distillers, blenders and craftspeople come together with a singular goal; let time be the master. From that point on, the whisky’s journey is no longer in the hands of the distillery team. They may watch over the barrel, carefully ensuring it isn’t bottled before its apex, but the spirit inside is shaped by temperature and climate. It’s a lesson in patience and a reminder that, if you’re as lucky as the team at Sullivans Cove, good things do come to those who wait.
Sullivans Cove 17-Year-Old French Oak Ex-Tawny Single Cask (TD0297)
The Cambridge distillery has just unveiled a 17-Year-Old French Oak Ex-Tawny Single Cask (TD0297), which could well be its most remarkable expression. Filled in July of 2008 and decanted in October of 2025; a good 17 years and three months later, the 300L French oak cask yielded just 343 bottles at cask strength of 61.3% ABV. Big, bold and rich with Sullivans Cove’s signature style, the Ex-Tawny expression is one of the distillery’s most exceptional and scarce releases in the series.
Traditionally, Sullivans Cove’s Old & Rare collection features single casks matured for a minimum of sixteen years in French oak casks previously used to age Australian tawny port-style fortified wine. With this release, the distillery has upped the age slightly, while significantly bolstering the proof for a more robust, full-bodied finish. Older and stronger are two words that rarely fit together, particularly in the uncompromising climate of Australia, but somehow distillery manager Heather Tillott and her award-winning team have perfected the balance.
“A rich, dark, and complex single cask, where bold cask influence meets a naturally full spirit,“ Tillott said. “The interplay of savoury, fruity, and citrus elements is well-structured, with integrated tannin and oak. Every component stands confidently, yet harmoniously, making this a compelling, multi-dimensional whisky.”
A storied and seldom-seen maturation style for Sullivans Cove, French Oak ex-Tawny is revered for its depth, complexity, and scarcity. The cask-strength release explores the rich flavour profile at full volume, allowing whisky enthusiasts to experience the full character of French Oak in all its glory. Notes of juicy dark fruits, chocolate, spice and earthy herbal nuances dominate the nose, leading to incredible complexity and length of palate.
It’s a slow and tactile drinking experience, and perhaps that’s why Tillott has chosen to include a handwritten note with every bottle. Tucked inside the handcrafted oak box that houses this rare release, Heather’s letter is a small gesture that reflects the same philosophy behind the whisky; if you are willing to do something, you may as well take the time to do it right.
The 17-Year-Old French Oak ex-Tawny Single Cask (TD0297) is limited to 343 bottles globally. Priced at AUD$2,500, the Old & Rare expression will be available exclusively via the distillery’s online store from March 5.
Sullivans Cove 17-Year-Old French Oak ex-Tawny Single Cask (TD0297) Technical Specifications
- Brand: Sullivans Cove
- Expression: 17-Year-Old French Oak ex-Tawny Single Cask
- Cask: Nº TD0297
- Cask Filled: 11 July 2008
- Cask Decanted: 17 October 2025
- Age: 17 Years, 3 Months
- Bottles: 343
- ABV: 61.3%
- Price: AUD$2,500
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