Water of Life - Iniquity Single Malt Whisky Batch 18, 19 and SS Ferret Rum
When it comes to Australian whiskey, Ian Schmidt and Vic Orlow are royalty. Evolved from a collaboration with Southern Coast Distilling their Tin Shed Distilling Co spawned Iniquity Single Malt Whisky with the logo of the brand paying homage to its credo: A double-headed phoenix like dualistic creature with one head honouring the traditions of the past and the other channelling their alchemy into the future.
Iniquity’s approach to whiskey making is informed by a curated approach, which results in small batches matured in carefully selected barrels with emissions being bottled when it feels right to them.
Having gained massive exposure over the last couple of years and decorated with accolades, production was ramped up, yet demand has grown proportionally with individual batches selling out quickly after being released to the public.
We were lucky to sample two of the recent batches, i.e. #18 and #19.
Iniquity Batch No. 018 was matured in port and sherry casks and its spicy oak aroma rest on a foundation of caramelly, piney notes that are reminiscent of a damp forest. Interesting.
What materializes on the palate is a creamy natural extension with toffee and spicy chocolate taking over, accentuated by highlights rooted in eucalyptus.
As you might be able to tell, there is quite a spectrum covered as far as the flavour profile is concerned and the finish culminates in a lingering spicy, chocolatey cinnamon crescendo with hints of nutmeg.
Not bad at all.
Iniquity Batch No. 19 takes things up a notch as I find it a tad less bold and more on the subtle side of things:
Upon approach, the trademark spicy herbal notes are present, yet they are punctuated by citrus and orange notes, which seamlessly transition to what hits the top of the roof: A wonderfully complex melange of orange, baked apples, cinnamon and spices, with the orangey bits taking over throughout the elongated finish. Delightful and dangerously more-ish.
A new favourite of mine amongst the Iniquity batches.
Given the consistent quality of Iniquity’s drops, I was intrigued by the announcement of their first rum being launched. Thematically the rum series is centred around each expression being tributes to ships lost at sea or wrecked, hence the name Requiem.
SS Ferret is fabled to have been a steam ship that disappeared in Scotland and eventually resurfaced in Australia under a new name, where it remained before it was wrecked in 1920.
Having matured for six years in American Oak Port Casks, the nose of the Requiem Rum SS FERRET is reminiscent of Batch #19 with the molasses taking on a dominant role that accentuates the sweet flavours of orange marmalade and cherry chocolate.
While flavours follow what tickled the nostrils, I find it refreshing to taste a bit of bitterness coming through on the palate resting on foundation of orange sweetness, which extends into the finish that is enhanced by oaky cask flavours.
Not usually being too much into rum, I very much like the fact that it is much less sweet than the widely available mainstream rums and instead offers a flavour profile that is more complex by spices and bitter notes shining through.
Iniquity’s step into the world of rum is yet another testament to their craftmanship, which manages to hit nuances other distilleries can only dream of.
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image from company website
