Rochfort Distillery Maxwell Port Cask 11th Release Single Malt Australian Whisky (700ml / 48.6%)
Distillation The Rochfort team have hand selected local South Australian Export Pilsner Malt which produces a rich honey coloured appearance and a highly sweet, yet smooth spirit. Using traditional methods of production, they...
Distillation
The Rochfort team have hand selected local South Australian Export Pilsner Malt which produces a rich honey coloured appearance and a highly sweet, yet smooth spirit.
Using traditional methods of production, they pay close attention to the temperature of the water whilst “mashing in”.
The key is to make sure the grain doesn’t overheat, whilst maintaining the optimal temperature for starch conversion to sugars.
They ferment in open top French oak fermenters for a five-day period before distilling through the custom fabricated copper wash still.
A run through the custom designed copper spirit still on day seven finalises refinement of the new make spirit.
Winery Partner
Three generations of vignerons. Everyone born and bred in McLaren Vale. But Mark Maxwell inherited more than a love for the vine and the Vale.
It’s in his blood to think beyond the ordinary. To innovate. To build everything himself. To go against the grain, and even the grape.
It’s this family, after all, that pioneered the mead industry in Australia, and set the standard for honey wine globally. Who knows what made them this way?
Barrel Selection - “Maxwell Port Cask”
Originally put down in the 1960s by Hardy’s and then brought under Maxwells wing in 1980.
This tawny port cask fortified with brandy spirit originally saw several incredible vintages, the most recent being a fortified Grenache in 2004.
The resulting Maxwell Classic Tawny, was individually hand selected for its richness of fruit character and seriously impressive history, soaked over the decades with the best of the regions fruit.
The cask is of immaculate pedigree.
Profile
There’s an instant hit of rich fruit pudding and confectionery. Dark toffees, chocolate, cigar box and orange peel all linger in the background.
A big, creamy soft dram with licks of caramels and malt surrounded by stewed fruits, deeply charred oak and plums.
Dried stone fruit and leather round it all out. The overall fullness on the palate presents a beautiful balance of oak and fruit.