On Saturday, May 17 — just in time for World Whisky Day — a quiet but significant moment will unfold in the Adelaide Hills. There’s a new whisky brand in Australia and Rob Watt and Sam Brown founders of Route 9 Distillery are unveiling their first release from a long-anticipated passion project: Adelaide Hills Whisky Co.
More than just a whisky launch, the May event, will give whisky lovers the chance to taste what’s been evolving in the Hills, and to get a rare peek into what’s still to come. The guided experience runs for one hour and forty-five minutes and is priced at $50 per person. With limited seating, early bookings are essential.
This exclusive tasting event at the Balhannah distillery will feature three distinct whiskies, each offering a different side of the story. The centrepiece is a whisky aged in Madeira barrels, sourced directly from Portugal. It’s rich, fruit-forward and carries a complexity that speaks to the care behind the blend.
“I’m a barrel hunter,” Rob says.
“Sourcing the Madeira barrels for our whisky was a fun and exciting project. The hunt was worth the effort, as the flavour these barrels have added to our first release whisky is incredible.”
Alongside it, guests will taste a second whisky matured in traditional Kentucky bourbon barrels.
“The bourbon barrels we procured for our second whisky add a completely different, yet complex depth to these bottles. Each barrel brings its own personality, and that’s what makes the blending process so rewarding,” Rob explains.
Rounding out the line-up is a special pre-release whisky, still in development. Pulled straight from the cask, it will give visitors an insight into the craft and evolution of small-batch production.
“We’ve taken our time to get this right,” Rob says. “Whisky needs patience, and we’re proud of what we’ve created.”
The brand’s Founders Club will also be introduced at the event where members will enjoy exclusive access to future releases, events and annual dinners, as well as a lifetime connection to the distillery’s journey.
Route 9 has already made its name with a celebrated range of gins, but for Rob, whisky has always been the long game. Years of distilling, barrel sourcing and careful ageing have led to this moment — and the first expression is finally ready to share.
They have created something intimate, deliberate and uniquely South Australian. For those lucky enough to be among the first to taste it, this release offers a rare opportunity to witness a new whisky chapter unfold — done slowly, properly and with purpose.
An Immersive Whisky Experience – Saturday 17 May
Held at the Route 9 Distillery in Balhannah, this exclusive tasting event offers guests a chance to step into the story and the spirit of the Adelaide Hills. Attendees will enjoy a personally guided tasting of three distinct whiskies:
- A flagship release aged in Madeira Cask
- A bold second expression aged in bourbon Cask
- A pre-release whisky — drawn straight from the cask, a sneak peek into what’s to come.
Route 9 Distillery
Where: 37 Onkaparinga Valley Road, Balhannah
When: Saturday 12pm-5pm
For bookings and more information, click here.
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