Manly Spirits: Whisky release is already winning awards

Good things take time, so they say, and after four years of watching, waiting and wishing, Manly Spirits has released its first batch of single malt whiskies.

The opportunity to taste locally distilled, award-winning whiskies was too good to miss, so late one Friday afternoon we arrived.

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The laughter of those winding down from the working could be heard as we approached the door.

The atmosphere is cosy, welcoming, with friendly faces behind the bar and tables full of 30-something year olds, sampling single malts as they snack on antipasto plates and quesadillas.

From the bar you can see straight into where the magic happens - barrels of whisky are stacked high, distillery equipment in the expansive factory, and to the side, The Stillhouse where you can develop and distil your very own bottle of gin.

Manly Spirits is well known for its gins and vodkas, so the whisky is under a new name - Coastal Stone, with the first release known as the Element Series.

There's five to choose from - Sherry Cask, Bourbon Cask, Pinot Cask, Shiraz Cask, and the Port Cask.

They all come in a stunning short, round bottle that feels heavy to hold and comes complete with a Sydney sandstone stopper.

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"We've actually been laying down whisky since day one, it's not until now that we've launched the series," co-owner Vanessa Wilton said.

"I wanted to produce a whisky that was a contemporary whisky, that appeals to the modern person, not the old dude.

"I wanted it to appeal to women. Whisky is having this rebirth, whisky's turning into the new little black dress."

While there are a few more rules when it comes to making whisky, compared to other spirits, Ms Wilton and co-owner husband David Whittaker say being an artisan distiller gives them more freedom.

"We're not confined to have to do a certain style of whisky. It allows you to be a little bit more adventurous," she said.

It also take a longer to produce whisky, compared to a gin or vodka, but they say the wait is worth it.

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"It needs time and the elements, which is where the name came from," she said.

The Sherry Cask won gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the Bourbon Cask won a silver.

"San Francisco is sort of like the Oscars of the booze industry, it's the big one," Ms Wilton said.

Sherry Cask Whisky is a smooth, aromatic and full-bodied Australian single malt whisky, matured in ex-Australian Sherry/Apera casks. 46 per cent alc/vol.

Bourbon Cask Whisky is a mellow and sweet Australian single malt whisky, matured in ex-Kentucky bourbon casks. 46 per cent alc/vol.

Pinot Cask Whisky is full-bodied and complex Australian single malt whisky, matured in ex-pinot casks filled. 46 per cent alc/vol.

Shiraz Cask Whisky is a delicate and subtly spicy Australian single malt whisky, matured in ex-Barossa Shiraz casks. 46 per cent alc/vol.

Port Cask Whisky is a robust fruity and caramel Australian single malt whisky, matured in ex-port/tawny casks from Seppeltsfield. 58 per cent alc/vol

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