Amber Lane Distillery has launched its follow-up whisky to Silk Road with the release of Silk Lane.
The dram offers a similar flavour profile to its predecessor with dark sugar and spice notes, according to the distillery.
It also comes at a lower ABV at 48 per cent which Amber Lane says will allow it to be more accessible at $149.
The distillery’s co-owner, Rod Berry, told The Shout the release has been eagerly awaited and Silk Lane is a more gentle, creamy style of whisky.
“This was achieved by longer maturation and the addition of water to casks to bring down the strength slowly to the bottle strength,” he said.
“The slow addition of water to the cask, a technique we have learned from the Cognac tradition, draws out more softness from the barrel.”
Berry also expects the reduced alcohol content, compared with Silk Road at 58 per cent ABV, will appeal to a wide range of drinkers.
“With its rich, dark sugar and spice flavours, but at a more approachable strength, Silk Lane is sure to find a place on the shelves of whisky lovers everywhere.
“Amber Lane fans have been waiting with bated breath for Silk Road’s ‘little brother’.”
After spending almost 14 months in virgin American oak casks, the whisky undergoes a secondary maturation period in Heaven Hill bourbon casks for three to four years.
“The virgin oak adds complex spice notes, as well as better mouthfeel from the oils in the cask, while the ex-Bourbon casks add lovely honey and vanilla notes to round the whisky out,” Berry said.
The whisky also has tasting notes of cinnamon, followed by spices, red frogs and citrus.
Silk Lane is the third addition to Amber Lane’s core range, joining Equinox and Liquid Amber.
It is available in select independent bottle shops across NSW and the ACT.
The Central Coast distillery received the champion trophy for the best Single Malt Whisky at the inaugural Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show in 2024.
Silk Road also received gold medals at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the 2023 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards and the 2023 Royal Australian Spirit Awards.