WHISKY WITH SOUL
- Karen Kinnersly
- Jun 3
- 6 min read
In small-batch distilleries throughout the region, a quiet obsession is maturing in oak. Whisky — complex, soulful, and endlessly expressive — is finding bold new form in local hands.
Whisky lovers know, it’s more than a drink. It’s a ritual. Liquid campfire on a cold night, the fire in your belly, smoky and soothing. Here, in the hands of local distillers, each bottle tells a story: charred oak, local grain, native botanicals and time. It’s Whisky with soul, shaped by coastal breezes, subtropical humidity, and hinterland heritage. These aren’t imitations of Scotch or Bourbon; they’re bold, homegrown expressions of place.
Whether you favour a cask-strength single malt or a smooth sherry-finished dram, the local drop is ready to warm your winter nights.
WHISKY WITH A RAINFOREST SOUL
On a working macadamia farm just outside Byron Bay, Cape Byron Distillery – the country’s only B Corp-certified whisky distillery – is crafting distinctly Australian single malt whisky with care, creativity and a deep respect for the land. Surrounded by regenerated subtropical rainforest and influenced by the region’s coastal breezes, abundant plant life and pristine local spring waters, the whisky here is shaped as much by its environment as by the hands that make it.
Led by co-founder and renowned Scottish Master Distiller Jim McEwan, Cape Byron marries tradition with innovation, creating a range that’s both globally refined and distinctly local. Matured in a mix of ex-bourbon American oak, Australian wine and fortified casks, the flagship Cape Byron Australian Whisky benefits from the region’s subtropical climate, which naturally breathes life into every barrel. The result: whiskies that are complex, expressive and full of character.
For a more adventurous taste, the Mac. Liqueur Cask Whisky pushes the boundaries of traditional whisky-making. A limited-edition release, this unique expression is aged in casks that once held macadamia and wattleseed liqueur, giving it a rich, nutty profile with smooth caramel, honey and roasted nut notes.
“We’re macadamia farmers first and foremost,” says CEO and distiller Eddie Brook. We thought we’d have some fun — and ended up with something brilliant.”
Visitors can tour the rainforest property, sample spirits at the cellar door, and even bottle a bespoke whisky straight from the cask.
Our Pick: Mac. Liqueur Cask Whisky – Expect smooth caramel, roasted nuts, hints of milk chocolate and a citrusy, marmalade finish. Pure liquid indulgence.
A DETOUR WORTH TAKING
From the distillers behind Husk’s cult-favourite Ink Gin and the master brewers at Stone & Wood comes a limited release that’s anything but ordinary. Sidetrack Stone Whisky is the happy result of a shared obsession with craft — and a collaboration that took the scenic route.
It all began on the veranda at Husk in 2018, when founder Paul Messenger and visiting Scottish distiller Buzz (formerly of Cardhu, the spiritual home of Johnnie Walker) dreamed up the idea of making a single barrel of whisky. With Stone & Wood on board and inspired by their iconic Stone Beer — a wood-fired porter known for rich malt, coffee, chocolate and smoke — the brew was transformed into something even bolder.
Distilled in Husk’s custom copper pot still (crafted by world-renowned Scottish makers Forsyth) and matured in ex-Husk rum barrels for over five years, the result is a golden, full-bodied drop that’s smooth, complex and deeply satisfying. Sidetrack Stone Whisky isn’t your average dram — it’s a fleeting moment of alchemy. A one-off, never-to-be-repeated detour into the world of whisky. A celebration of friendship, flavour, and the art of getting sidetracked in the best possible way.
Our Pick: Sidetrack Stone Whisky – Expect layers of inviting fruit, warming spice and sweet confectionary notes, unfolding into a rich finish of coffee, dark chocolate and a whisper of smoke. For those who love a little mischief in their dram.
A TASTE OF THE HINTERLAND
Tucked into the lush hinterland of Tintenbar, Winding Road Distilling Co. is a quietly innovative, family-run distillery founded by husband-and-wife duo Camille and Mark Awad. Beginning as a “what if?” moment in 2015, Winding Road has grown into one of the Northern Rivers’ most respected artisan spirit makers — defined by craftsmanship, creativity and a deep connection to place.
From June to December, the team harnesses the sugarcane harvest to create fresh cane juice rum. When the cane season ends, the stills turn to whisky — crafted with the same hands-on, small-batch philosophy.
Winding Road’s single malt whiskey begins with a mash bill of seven varieties of NSW-grown malted barley. The team mills, mashes, ferments and double-distils in a custom 1,250-litre copper pot still, before ageing the spirit in a careful selection of oak casks. The result is a full-bodied, complex whisky – unfiltered, additive-free, and rich in both flavour and story.
Patience is everything here. There are no shortcuts – just a slow, deliberate process rooted in respect for the land, tradition, and time. Winding Road’s approach is more than a method; it’s a philosophy shaped by authenticity, curiosity, and a passion for small-batch innovation. The result? A whisky that genuinely tastes like home.
Our Pick: Release 4 – Special Release (Agave Cask Finish) – Beautifully structured richness with notes of red fruits, citrus, caramel and vanilla. The palate unfolds with candied orange, cherry, toffee and a hint of chocolate. Long, layered and luxuriously moreish.
A JOURNEY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
In the creative enclave of Mullumbimby, AOB Distillery is producing some of Australia’s most expressive and boundary-pushing whisky. Founded in 2017 by long-time friends Pete Jaffe and Matty Parkin, the distillery was born from a shared belief in flavour-led spirits, sustainable practice, and forging deep connections through craftsmanship.
Their bold debut release, Diemen’s Rising 001, is a complex single malt shaped by a journey as layered as the whisky itself. Distilled in Tasmania in 2016 and matured in a medley of casks including tawny, Apera, Pinot Noir, and bourbon, the whisky was then transferred to Byron Bay for further ageing in Botrytis (dessert wine) casks. After a final rest in mead and rum casks, the two were married and bottled. The result is dark, mysterious, intensely aromatic — and very sexy. It’s a whisky that reflects not only the diversity of its barrels but the distinctive terroirs of its journey — named in homage from Van Diemen’s Land to the Northern Rivers.
AOB champions regenerative agriculture and local sourcing, but it’s the imagination behind their methods that truly sets them apart, each bottle a celebration of process, place and purpose.
Our Pick: Diemen’s Rising 001 – Intense and evolving, with notes of candied orange, vanilla fudge, earthy peat and tart red fruit. Layers of sweet spice and oak lead to a long, smooth finish. Add a splash of water and savour slowly. This one is for the adventurous.
SUNSHINE AND INNOVATION
On a buzzing corner in Mermaid Beach, Six-Tricks Distilling Co. is turning heads with its bold, fresh take on whisky-making. Founded in 2023 by locals Chris Macklin and Teagan Peake, this vibrant distillery blends heritage and invention in equal measure. Chris, a sixth-generation descendant of legendary winemaker Josef Seppelt, brings deep distilling roots and an unstoppable drive for innovation into every step of the Six-Tricks journey.
That legacy is being poured into the creation of three distinctive whisky styles: Single Malt, Australian Whisky, and a Bourbon-style release. Each is crafted using 100% Australian ingredients — malted barley, corn and wheat — combined with ancient volcanic spring water from the foot of Mount Warning in the Tweed Valley. Paired with the coastal air and subtropical warmth of their Gold Coast home, the result is a whisky already showing character as bold and sunny as the region itself.
But it’s not just about what’s in the barrel. The distillery’s modern space features a hybrid copper still, sleek tasting room, rooftop Sunset Deck, and a private Founder’s Cask Lounge. It’s where the art and science of distilling come to life — not your run-of-the-mill spirits, but something personal, crafted with care and purpose.
Whether you’re a seasoned whisky lover or simply curious to explore, Six-Tricks delivers something fresh, local, and full of flavour.
Our Pick: Founders Reserve Private Cask Release A – A rare chance to own your own maturing single malt. Rich oak, subtle spice and layers of malt sweetness. Bottled at 46% ABV. A piece of history and well worth the wait.
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