Best Australian whiskies: How to end the year in the most 2020 way

It’s been a weird year and there’s many ways you could see it out. But perhaps you should follow in trendsetting Premier Dan Andrews’ footsteps.

There’s no anticlimax quite like New Year’s Eve, which somehow fails to live up to its lofty expectations every year.

The only semi-decent one I can remember is aged 16 in the UK when me and my mates gatecrashed a house party hosted by someone we barely knew at school.

Within five minutes of reluctantly being let in, we heard an almighty crash from the living room.

We opened the door to see our drunken mate Scott had stumbled and fallen into the Christmas tree. He’d managed to smash a set of antique German baubles, which were reportedly valued at more than £200 ($A350) and — not surprisingly — we were flung out by the scruff of our necks.

With nowhere to go, we ended up ringing in the new year as just a threadbare group of lads in a soggy, snow-covered football field, reflecting on what jackasses we’d been.

Nowadays, I have a tiny human to take care so there’s a good chance I might not even be awake to banish the dying moments of 2020.

However, I will be having a wee dram or three of the strong stuff to say good riddance to the weirdest year of our lives.

Instead of turning to my old faithful of Islay scotch that’s so smoky it’ll give you bronchitis, I’ve been dabbling in some whisky that’s a bit closer to home.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will likely be doing similar having shown his inclination towards Australian-made whiskies in his first zero day of new virus cases celebration earlier in the year.

Now I’m no scotch snob, but I didn’t have high expectations for Aussie whisky.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews celebrated zero new cases with a doughnut and some whisky.

The climate here is drastically different from famous distilling nations, meaning something that’s been sat in a barrel for years is going to have an unconventional taste.

But that’s not a bad thing and Aussie distillers aren’t bound by the same perceived and regulated ‘Old World’ framework — they are pushing the boundaries and trying something new.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by a few of them recently. Here are some of the best ones I’ve tried.

Watkins Whisky Co. Single Malt Whisky

When I was talking about Aussie whiskies pushing the boundaries, this absolute belter from Queensland is a good example.

It’s made in ex-red wine, reconditioned French oak barrels with American oak heads which gives it fruit-cakey, almost biscuit-like flavours.

This is one of the funkiest Aussie whiskies out there.

As airy-fairy as that sounds, it’s still a good smooth whisky with just a surprising touch of honey and spice. I’d dare to say that even whisky sceptics would enjoy this one with a touch of soda water. Purists will love it neat.

RRP $155. Find out more

Lark Classic Cask Single Malt Australian Whisky

If you’re really looking to push the boat out on an Aussie whisky, this one’s the go.

It’s not cheap and maybe I’m biased because of my proclivity toward smoky flavours but this is one of best Aussie drops out there.

It comes from the only Tasmanian distillery (and Australia’s smallest mining company) with a licence to mine peat from its own peat bog.

This gives Lark its unique but subtle peaty notes on top of its spicy oak and vanilla flavours.

RRP $179. Find out more

Lark has a slight peaty taste.

Starward’s NOVA is a good all-rounder.

Starward NOVA Single Malt Australian Whisky

Since big Dan Andrews was such a fan, I thought I’d give this Victorian drop a go.

It’s certainly not as punchy as the other two, but the price tag is a lot easier on the eye and it’s a good crowd pleaser.

I’d put it in the same category as a Johnnie Walker Red, so it’s probably best as a mixer rather than something to sup on neat.

RRP $96. Find out more

If you're not interested in keeping it local and just want a damn good whisky, Chivas has released an awesome new drop – The Chivas Extra 13YO Oloroso Sherry cask.

The new 13-year-old is inspired by pioneering whisky blenders and founding brothers James and John Chivas who imported rums, exotic spices, and luxury food items from across the globe to their emporium at 13 King Street, Aberdeen.

The additional cask brought into the maturation or finishing process impart sits own unique combination of characteristics onto the Chivas blend, bringing a number of new flavour notes to the spirit for the first time, whilst still having the fruitiness and floral notes of the original Chivas Extra.

Find out more