Some whiskies invite contemplation.
Others demand attention.
But Madeira Nouveau Beginnings?
This one raises the battle flag, unfurls its sails, and steers straight into the heart of the storm. It’s not just a dram—it’s a rebellion in a bottle, a mutiny against the mundane, a revolution where every sip is a call to arms.
Tasmania has long been a proving ground for audacious whisky-making, and Callington Mill Distillery is no mere spectator in this movement. Set against the windswept backdrop of Oatlands, its historic flour mill turned spirit sanctuary is a monument to reinvention. A place where the ghosts of industrious pasts whisper to the present, urging it to break free from convention.
Now, with their first-ever Madeira cask release, Callington Mill has taken the wheel, charting a new course through Tasmanian single malt. And just as Madeira wine once fortified sailors for long, treacherous voyages, this whisky braces the soul for an expedition of its own.
Whisky Abbey: A Pilgrimage for the Devoted
A whisky as bold as Madeira Nouveau Beginnings deserves a stage worthy of its debut, and there’s no better place than Whisky Abbey 2024.
This hallowed ground for whisky lovers is where tradition meets innovation, where the world’s most daring distillers converge to unveil their finest expressions.
More than just a tasting event, Whisky Abbey is a pilgrimage for the devoted, a place where stories flow as freely as the drams in hand. It is where the craft of whisky-making is celebrated not just as an art, but as a movement—one that pushes boundaries, redefines categories, and invites connoisseurs and newcomers alike to discover something truly exceptional.
The theme of 2024—Nouveau Beginnings—is a perfect match for Callington Mill’s bold new expression. Just as Whisky Abbey invites exploration and discovery, Madeira Nouveau Beginnings is a testament to embracing the unknown and forging ahead into uncharted whisky territory. A whisky born of revolution, aged in the legacy of maritime trade, and bottled with the spirit of adventure, it is the perfect dram to toast a new chapter in whisky history.
Tasting Notes: The Storm Unfolds
Nose: The Gathering Clouds
The first encounter is a gust of nutty warmth and spice, a scent reminiscent of old wooden spice chests cracked open at sea. Roasted chestnuts and cloves mingle with the faintest whisper of cinnamon—like the embers of a fire still glowing from the night before. Then comes the Madeira’s quiet rebellion, slipping through like a stowaway in the form of grape syrup and dried figs—a fruity undercurrent as deep and complex as the Atlantic itself.
Palate: The Rising Tide
This is no gentle voyage. It arrives with the force of a rolling swell—bold, commanding, and unapologetically rich.
The first wave?
Burnt caramel and walnuts, surging forward with velvety intensity. Then comes the Madeira’s influence—a confluence of dried fruits, honey, and molasses, as if the salty air of a passing trade wind had kissed the deck of an old merchant vessel. Beneath it all, a slight earthy bitterness, grounding the whisky like the steady hand of an experienced captain.
Finish: The Legacy of a Thousand Journeys
A whisky like this doesn’t vanish without leaving its mark. The finish is long and lingering, like the final embers of a ship’s lantern fading into the mist. Dark chocolate and dried fruit take center stage, before a final touch of warm spice—like the last fiery speech of a leader before the battle begins. This is a dram that demands reflection long after the last sip has disappeared.
The Final Verdict: A Whisky That Sails Beyond the Horizon
In its essence, Madeira Nouveau Beginnings is a passage into uncharted waters, a vessel for the adventurous spirit. Callington Mill has not merely bottled a single malt; they have distilled a manifesto, one that champions the bold, the complex, and the timeless.
Not unlike the great naval expeditions of old, this whisky is a testament to resilience and discovery. The Madeira cask, once a silent witness to the maritime age, now lends its secrets to this spirited Tasmanian expression. And in doing so, it ushers in a new era for Australian whisky—one that refuses to be tamed.
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Words by AW.
Photo courtesy of Callington Mill.