Lark Distillery has launched Symphony No 1, its first-ever blended malt Whisky. The new expression from the Tasmanian distillery is made up of Whiskies aged in American oak Bourbon, Sherry, and Port casks.
Head Distiller and Blender Chris Thomson began the Symphony No 1 journey by looking through Lark’s portfolio of single malts, and stumbled across a barrel from their Bothwell distillery producing Whisky with notes of pineapple and tropical fruit. From there, he blended the Whisky with another sweet-leaning vintage from the nearby Overeem distillery, and added a touch of Lark’s signature tawny cask Whisky.
Thomson said: “Symphony No.1 isn’t held down by the rules. We’ve crafted a blend purely made of Tasmania, influenced by the distilleries’ surroundings: fields of barley, soft water, clean air, highland peat bogs, and the perfect climate to bring all the ingredients together,” explained Thomson. “We wanted to create something that would feel relatable and like ‘home’ to anyone who’d experience it. Drink it neat, with ice, in a Highball or an Old Fashioned. It’s an accessible, everyday drop; there’s no other whisky like it.”
“We set out to create something approachable and versatile, with lots of character and multiple layers,” said Thomson. The result is a spirit that features notes of vanilla-spiked caramelised pineapple on the nose, and a bright citrus and wildflower honey finish.
Head of Marketing Demetrius Giouzelis said: “Symphony No.1 was born from a desire to create something approachable and accessible: a malt whisky that has character, but is easy to drink on any occasion. With multiple award-winning distilleries and one of the greatest whisky blending minds in the country, we knew we could create a malt whisky even greater than the sum of its parts.”
Coming in at 40.2% ABV, Symphony No.1 is available online at Lark’s official web store and at the Lark Distillery Whisky Bar for $139 AUD ($99 USD).
Meanwhile, Lark Distillery founder Bill Lark will host a Facebook Live event alongside Thomson and Australian test cricketer and captain Tim Paine. The masterclass and whisky tasting is set to occur September 13, and Lark will show purchasers of the associated pack (which can also be purchased via the website) how to use the peat and wood to smoke their steaks. Packs can be delivered anywhere across Australia.
