By James Atkinson
Tasmanian single malt whisky Sullivans Cove has been named Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray's 2013 Whisky Bible.
Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask HH509 scored 96.5/100, the highest score ever achieved by a Southern Hemisphere whisky, and was named Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year. It is one of only 60 out of 4500 whiskies to have scored 96.5 and above, placing the whisky in the top one per cent ever made.
Now in its 10th year, Jim Murray's Whisky Bible aims to annually score every whisky available on the market. The book currently list 4,500 whiskies, each individually tasted, evaluated and rated by Murray, with the 2013 edition adding 1,300 whiskies to the list.
The latest accolade caps off a special year for the boutique Tasmanian producer, which also won Gold at the World Whisky Masters, as well as being named Australasian Distiller of the Year at the Wizards of Whisky awards.
Chief distiller Patrick Maguire said that to be awarded that kind of score by Murray was "just unbelievable".
"I would like to say a big thanks to the team back home; this is true testament to our hard work and its just such a great feeling to know that you have made an historic whisky. Huge party at the distillery when I get back!"
According to Murray, Sullivans Cove French Oak Cask HH509 "re-wrote the Australian whisky books… it is not just the best whisky I tasted from Tasmania, but it walked off with Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year".