Our first collaboration with Killara Distillery was juicy and punchy.
Our second? Well... we decided to turn the volume up.
Fresh from being named Australian Distiller of the Year, Kristy Lark-Booth continues to push the boundaries of Australian whisky, and together we set out to create another first. Supernova is the first whisky Killara Distillery has ever matured in a sparkling wine cask.
Not just any sparkling wine cask.
A Tasmanian icon deserved another Tasmanian icon, so we turned to Jansz Tasmania. Their signature sparkling wine, crafted from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, left behind a cask that would spend almost five years shaping this whisky from spirit to bottle.
The result is unlike anything we've released before.
Bottled at its natural cask strength of 66.2% ABV, this isn't a whisky that asks to be rushed. It demands your attention.
Yes, it's fiery.
Deliberately so.
Because somewhere between 66.2% and around 50% lies one of the most fascinating whisky journeys we've ever experienced.
Every few drops of water reveal something new. Sweet jammy notes, give way to a bright acidic fruitiness. Rich oak and baking spice becomes mouth-watering effervescence. The sparkling wine influence drifts in and out of focus, while Killara's wonderfully characterful spirit never disappears beneath it.
Like the explosion of a supernova itself, this whisky doesn't stand still. It evolves, expands and reveals layer after layer the more time you spend with it.
If you're the sort of person who pours a dram, reaches for the pipette and enjoys discovering how a whisky changes with every drop of water...
This one was made for you.
With just 80 bottles produced, Supernova isn't about scarcity for scarcity's sake. It's about creating an experience for the whisky nerds among us; the people who enjoy exploring every corner of a dram rather than simply drinking it.
And if you think this journey ends here...
Think again.
Supernova is only the beginning. The second chapter is already resting in a secondary cask, waiting to reveal where this story goes next.
Bottle Size: 500ml
ABV: 66.2% ABV
Outturn: 80 bottles
Tasting Notes
Nose: Crème brûlée torched to a deep singe, flambéed yellow peaches, and thick clover honey.
With water: Heavy aromas of warm almond croissants, toasted macadamias, and fresh brioche.
Palate: Viscous, fiery, and deeply sweet. The high proof delivers an immediate hit of concentrated apricot nectar, candied ginger, and golden syrup that completely coats the tongue in oil.
With water: Sliced green apples, white nectarines, and a gentle dollop of lemon curd
Finish: A final burst of sweet sultanas and lemon curd instantly evaporates into an ultra-dry profile of charred French oak, dry loose-leaf black tea, and warming baking spices
With water: The finish remains dry, but it mimics the fine, mouth-watering effervescence of a premium Extra Brut sparkling wine.