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I recently had a chat with Matt, our local expert at Sense of Taste Tarragindi. We spoke all things Whisky with a hint of French Wine!
The Japanese have a reputation for doing things well, and that extends to their whisky which is continuing to build a cult following here.
“Everyone is obsessed with everything Japanese whisky,’’ says Matt, from Sense of Taste Tarragindi.
Matt says Japanese producers have “played it beautifully in terms of supply and demand’’. They don’t make a massive amount so the price has increased significantly over the past five or six years, but the quality has been maintained.
And like most things Japanese, the emphasis is on perfection and execution which combines to produce a very clean and fruit-driven whisky, with not a lot of oak used, making them very punter friendly.
“How long is a piece of string,’’ jokes Matt, when asked about the price of Japanese whisky. “Anything up to $1000,’’ he adds.
But don’t despair. Sense of Taste Tarragindi has the Suntory-produced Toki, which Matt says is a great entry level example of Japanese whisky for $56.99.
On the local front, Matt says Morris, more renowned for their fortified wines, has just released a single malt whisky which is selling very well at the Tarragindi store.
Still on the topic of trends, Matt says there has been a big shift towards GSM – a red wine blended from Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre, and traditionally made in the Rhone region of France.
It’s still in its infancy but we’re seeing a move away from the Bordeaux styles of cabernet and merlots. In Queensland, especially, GSMs are more suited for our climate as they’re medium bodied due to being grenache dominant.
*Sample some Japanese whisky at the Taste of Japan event at the Portside store on Tuesday, December 14.
Guests will receive a drink on arrival, three cocktails made with different Japanese spirits and two Japanese whiskies to finish off with. Each attendee will also receive an individual cheese platter. Tickets are $40 and the event starts at 6.30pm. You can grab yours here www.eventbrite.com.au/e/217318755247
