Grünthal Brew may be best known for its fresh craft beer, but the Adelaide Hills favourite is keeping things interesting, with a tasting experience based around their new spirit collection.
With a spiced rum, single malt whisky and aged brandy making their debuts, the focus has been on creating approachable spirits rather than ones solely for seasoned whisky drinkers.
Owners Saul and Sheree Sullivan, deliberately went down this route to develop three flavour-packed drops designed to introduce more people to the category.
“I always get a lot of fun putting tastings together because you get to really go down a bit of a rabbit hole with flavours to land on where you want to be at the end,” Sheree said.
After more than 25 years in the dairy and now beverage industry, they’ve earned the reputation on creating flavours that are delicious and approachable, first with Brie, then beer and gin and now spirits
While Saul mainly oversees the brewery, Sheree has taken the lead on the gin and spirit range, working closely with the distiller to develop spirits that invite people into the category rather than intimidate them.
And there’s also a signature sip to go along with each new spirit, so let’s check them out.
Spiced Rum
The Spiced Rum is probably the easiest place to start if you’re new to spirits. Made from Colombian sugarcane molasses and aged for two years before being blended and finished at Grünthal, it’s smooth, slightly sweet and warming as it glides over the tongue, rather than harsh.
Think flavours like caramel, vanilla, brown sugar and maple, with a little cinnamon spice and hints of banana and coffee coming through.
It’s the kind of rum you can sip over ice without pulling a face, or mix with dry ginger for something light and easy to drink. As Grünthal puts it, “Rum, but make it fancy.”
Signature sip: Grunthal Spiced Rum with dry ginger ale and dried lime
Single Malt Whiskey
The Single Malt Whisky is young, only being aged for two years, but that’s the whole point.
Grunthal has kept things smooth, easy and approachable for people who might normally steer clear of whisky. It starts slightly sweet, with flavours of caramel and toffee, before a little oak and toastiness comes through.
It’s designed to be enjoyed neat, but without feeling like you need to be a whisky expert to appreciate it.
Signature sip: Grunthal Single Malt Whiskey with mandarin soda and dried blood orange
Aged Brandy
The aged brandy is a bit of a surprise from the trio.
Aged since 2018 in ex-wine barrels, it’s rich and smooth, with flavours of dried fig, buttery toffee and roasted almonds, rounded out by a gentle oakiness.
Rather than the sharp, old-school brandy some people might picture, this one is warm, slightly sweet and easy to sip, with a lingering finish.
It’s exactly why Grünthal likes to call it “not your Nanna’s brandy” and for anyone who’s never thought of themselves as a brandy drinker, this could be the one that changes their mind.
Signature sip: Grunthal Aged Brandy with pear soda and dried pear
But the new launch isn’t just about what’s in the bottle.
The new Spirit Experience gives guests the chance to work their way through the range, with cheese pairings also available to help bring out the flavours of each sip.
Sheree likens the pairing to adding milk to tea. Wine and spirits can leave a dry sensation on the palate, while cheese helps soften that feeling, rounding out the flavours for one pleasurable experience.
“Cheese is the milk in tea,” Sheree said.
“It just smooths everything out and makes your tongue settle down so that you can actually enjoy what you’re tasting.”
It’s intentionally something you have to go to Grünthal, to experience.
Saul and Sheree made the decision not to sell their beer, gin or spirits through bottle shops or online, keeping the range exclusively available from the Verdun venue.
“You can only buy it at Grünthal,” Sheree said.
The pair want guests to come for a tasting and stay a little longer, although Sheree recommends booking ahead on weekends if you’re planning to settle in for an afternoon.
“That’s what Grünthal is, approachable and fun” Sheree said. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but things have definitely got to be delicious.”
To learn more about Grunthal Brew’s spirit range, click here.
Grunthal Brew
When: Monday – Thursday 10:30 am – 4 pm, Friday & Saturday 10:30am – 10pm, Sunday 10:30am-5pm
Where: 827 Mount Barker Rd, Verdun
