“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough.”

Maybe you’re very familiar with Scotch or Japanese whiskies. How about Australian Whisky?

Fun fact, they have been distilling the finest whisky since 1863. For the last century, many famous distilleries have appeared on the market, extending the Australian whisky reputation to the whole world.

In this article, let’s explore the best 5 Australian Whiskies in 2022. No worries, as we will cover different whiskies within different price ranges.

Top 5 best Australian Whiskies

1. Sullivan’s Cove French Oak Whisky

In the 2014 World Whiskies Awards, Sullivan’s Cove French Oak Whisky was crowned as the best single malt whisky of the year. For the first time in history, neither Scotch nor Japanese whiskies won this honorable title. It's an Australian whisky brand, taking its first step to dominate the world liquor market. 

Before receiving the award, 516 bottles of these were released in 2013 at the price of $160. At the time the award was announced, almost all of them were already purchased. Only three bottles were left, whose prices increased up to $25,000.

Every Wednesday, the distillery only releases a few bottles and you can get one for more than $500 if you are lucky enough.

• Nose: Dark chocolate with cinnamon, orange peel, hazelnut, and licorice mint.
• Palate: Chocolate, pepper, toffee, and fruit cake.
• Finish: Dried dark fruit and dark chocolate.
• Distilled in: Tasmania
• ABV: ~47.5%
• Price: $550

 2. Starward Solera

Starward Solera is made from malted barley and brewer’s yeast. It is double distilled and aged in ‘apera’ barrels for three years. 

Due to the unique climate of Melbourne, the aging process is much faster than that of other places. Therefore, Starward Solera tastes a bit older than other 3-year-old whiskies. 

• Nose: Caramel, light brown sugar, peanut brittle, honey on the comb, and dried cranberry.
• Palate: Raisin, roasted plum, and pears roasted in red wine
• Finish: Medium dry, with hints of Aleppo pepper, un-ripened pear, sherry, and wood.
• Distilled in: Melbourne
• ABV: 43%
• Price: $139

3.  Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky

Made from six different unique malts (Australian Pale, Peated, Australian Amber, Caramel, Aromatic Roasted, Local NSW Chocolate), Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky has won Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the World Whisky Masters in London and the SIP Awards in California. 

• Nose: lemon rind, cloves, and creamy milk chocolate
• Palate: Sweetness of salted caramel chocolate and dark chocolate
• Finish: Vanilla slice with café latte
• Distilled in: Rosebery NSW
• ABV: 50%
• Price: $119

4. Limeburners Director’s Cut Single-Malt Whisky

Limeburners Director’s Cut Single-Malt Whisky is aged in both Bourbon and Australian fortified wine barrels. This unique aging process gives the whisky a floral and spicy aroma smell.

Barrels from different patches will have their unique taste, creating various, interesting experiences from patch to patch. 

• Nose: Fresh, coniferous forest, moss, garden herbs, green aroma
• Palate: Round, masculine, a bit hot, and polished
• Finish: Fine smoke and a flowery overtone, apricots
• Distilled in: Princess Royal Harbour
• ABV: 61%
• Price: $365

5. NED Australian Whisky

If you want an affordable and beginner's whisky, NED is the one true option as it’s very easy to drink and tastes great! 

In 2021, NED was awarded a Silver Medal at the prestigious Australian Distilled Spirits Awards. 

• Nose: Coconut and vanilla
• Palate: Sweet oak, spicy grains, and dried fruit
• Finish: Sweet oak and dark chocolate
• Distilled in: Campbellfield, Victoria
• ABV: 40%
• Price: $55

About Australian Whisky

The Australian Whisky industry has grown significantly in the last few decades. Even though it is not as popular as Scotch or Japanese whiskies, the industry has put its steps in taking over the market since Sullivan's Cove French Oak single cask won the world's best single malt whisky at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards. 

The process of making most Australian whiskies is quite similar to that of Scotch whiskies. However, there are still some major differences in flavor. 

Types of Australian Whisky

There are four main types of Australian Whisky: 

• Single malt
• Rye
• Wheat
• Blended whiskies

What Does Australian Whisky Taste Like? 

The main difference is that in Australia, legally, whiskies are whiskies if they are aged for at least two years. That number in Scotland is three years. In addition, the difference in climate also influences the flavor variation. 

In general, Australian whiskies are slightly sweeter than others.

How Many Australian Whisky Distilleries Are There?

Until Dec 2021, there are 333 registered distilleries in Australia. 50 of which are having their products available on the market. This number is estimated to increase as the potential of the industry is becoming more significant.  

How Much Are The Australian Whiskies?

One misconception about Australian whiskies is that they are cheaper in general compared to others. 

This is totally not true. The price of an Australian whisky bottle can range from $50 to thousands of dollars. 

If you want something less than $100 but still brings you the “whisky” feeling, there are many decent options for you to choose from in this segment.

Conclusion

And that’s our quick guide on the best Australian Whiskies and their review. Hopefully, you will find your perfect drink after reading this article.