A new single malt has just launched at an Adelaide Hills distillery where visitors can go far beyond a standard tasting, heading behind the scenes, sampling whisky straight from the barrel and even hand-filling a bottle to take home.
Tin Shed Distilling Co in Nairne has released the latest batch in its core Iniquity range, Silver Series Single Malt Batch 24, adding another reason to discover a distillery that has built its experience around making whisky less intimidating and more interactive.
But while the new releases are the timely reason to visit, the real point of difference is what happens once you get through the door.
Tin Shed has created a full whisky education around its tastings, pairing three different pours with carefully chosen bites, teaching visitors how aroma, flavour and even a few drops of water can transform what is in the glass.
“Believe it or not, a lot of people are scared of whisky,” co-founder Ian Schmidt said.
“We have a lot of visitors who tell us horror stories about a poor experience when they were young and how they have never been able to drink it since.”
Rather than simply lining up glasses at the bar, each tasting paddle features three 15ml pours showcasing different whisky styles, accompanied by food pairings, a bottle of water with an eye dropper and an information sheet explaining what to look for.
One favourite pairs apera-matured whisky with Tin Shed’s house-made orange chocolate, creating what the distillery describes as a moment of “organoleptic rapture”.
“We teach you how to find three different experiences with each of the whiskies and explain that when you get three experiences out of one glass you are getting value for money,” Ian said.
From there, visitors can take things even further with a distillery tour that starts with the raw ingredients and production process before heading into the still room and eventually the barrel room, which Ian said is “where the magic happens.”
“The smells are amazing. We talk about how we fill the barrels, fix the leaks, explain the Angel’s Share (the portion of whisky that naturally evaporates in the barrel), and then, finally have a taste, direct from the barrel.
“What’s so special about that? Well, you have to experience it to really know,” Ian said.
“If the visitor is so inclined, they can hand fill their own bottle direct from the barrel. You will never have a more unique dram or a better story about your own personal whisky.”
For those making an afternoon of it, the whisky is backed by a substantial low and slow barbecue menu.
Brisket cooked in an American-made Yoder Smoker is served with rock salt and whisky sauce, while the BBQ platter for two combines brisket, Louisiana-cut pork ribs with rum sauce, smoked chicken wings with gin sauce, pulled pork, house-made spicy brisket sausages and smoked corn ribs finished with Cajun spices and melted cheese.
Tin Shed also runs more advanced experiences throughout the year, including vertical tastings, whisky-paired dinners, blending classes and tasting competitions.
For newcomers, though, the team says a tasting paddle, some barbecue and the afternoon tour is more than enough introduction to the world of malt whisky.
Tin Shed Distilling Co
Where: 121 Old Princes Highway, Nairne
When: Wednesday 12pm–4pm, Thursday 12pm–9pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm–10pm, Sunday 12pm–6pm
Tours cost $55 per head, inclusive of tastes direct from the cask, and run daily at 14:30. Bookings are available through the Tin Shed Distilling Co website.
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