Kangaroo Island Spirits Single Malt Whisky, matured in Tawny casks, is a distinctly South Australian single malt from KIS. Founded by Jon and Sarah Lark in 2006 as Australia's first dedicated gin distillery, KIS has since grown into one of the state's most ambitious whisky producers. This bottling forms part of the distillery's first single malt release, issued across a trio of cask styles.
The whisky has a true sense of place. It is made from barley grown on Kangaroo Island and malted on the island, using rainwater captured locally, before being laid to rest in Australian Tawny casks. Of the three expressions in the range, the Tawny cask is said to have left the most definitive mark, lending the spirit a generous, fortified-wine richness.
Expect milk chocolate and sultanas to take centre stage, with an almost Christmas-cake warmth underneath. It is a rounded, comforting malt that rewards slow sipping, neat or with a little water.