Me and my mate Jarrod from Aussie craft spirit distributors Nip of Courage are about to witness something rare and beautiful: the grand opening of a distillery. Whipper Snapper in Perth, WA, is about to start turning out top grade Australian moonshine: it’s crystal clear, potent yet smooth and tasty. Get ready Australia!
Moonshine. Even the word is kind of exciting. I didn’t really know what it meant or even really what it was until now, but I’ve always wanted to try some.
And now, here I am, talking to Alasdair Malloch, owner of the newest whisky distillery in the country, and whisky expert Frank McHardy, whose 50 years’ experience in the business is something to be marvelled at. I’m way out of my depth.
Thankfully I’ve got an ace up my sleeve: I can drink!
Even more thankfully, Whipper Snapper’s moonshine ‘Crazy Uncle’ (an awesome name) makes my ace easy to play. It’s good neat and even better in a cocktail. Jarrod and I get to work and soon I’m not feeling quite so out of place.
There are still a couple of hours before the opening, so Jarrod and I are treated to a tour of the distillery. Even though I’ve seen a few of these now, I still find myself dazzled, astounded and confused by how complex and delicate the process is.
And I’m always struck by how lovely a copper still can look.
At the opening ceremony (yup, that’s me with Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi!), we try the excellent espresso martinis that take on the moonshine’s flavours and use them to their advantage.
We also enjoy the moonshine apple sours and the moonshine mules, where the ginger beer gives the whisky an unexpected but delicious zing. Jarrod and I also get to try the Whipper Snapper prototype barrel-aged moonshine too, which has even more flavour and a beautiful golden glow. This stuff will be on the market soon too, so keep your eyes peeled.
Best of all, very soon, Whipper Snapper will be releasing their bourbon-style whiskey, which needs to be aged for at least two years. I reckon that’s going to be superb.
So keep a lookout for Whipper Snapper in your local bottle shops and small bars, and head over to Nip of Courage, Whipper Snapper’s distributors.
Whipper Snapper Distillery
Distillery tours: 10.00am – 5.00pm (bookings essential)
Coffee shop: Mon-Thurs 7.00am – 5.00pm, Fri-Sun 7.00am – 6.00pm.
139 Kensington St
East Perth
Western Australia 6004
W: whippersnapperdistillery.com
Fb: WhipperSnapperDistillery
IG: @Whipper_Snapper_Distillery
Have you ever visited a distillery? What do you think of when you hear the word ‘moonshine’? Tell us in the comments.
Jeff Darby
I always make an effort to visit Distilleries as I travel such as Hellyers Rd, Stone Pine and Dobsons distillery in the New England region of NSW, I undertook an internship at Dobsons distillery under the watchful eye of Master Distiller Stephen Dobson and was found to be competent in all aspects of distilling. To me the term Moonshine brings on visions of Appalachian mountain men set up besides a flowing creek running their moonshine still. It does not surprise me that someone has ran with the this mystcial folklore term, after all, all spirits leave the still clear as liquid crystal.
Mr Romance
Hi Jeff. Indeed they do – I think the term ‘spirit’ is very apt for what comes out of a still! I’ve had the fortune of tasting the essence of a certain Melbourne gin company’s product as it’s run from the still itself. It’s an amazing thing!
It sounds like you’re very much a spirits connoisseur – I think you’d like what Whipper Snapper are doing. And thank you for your very emotive description of what moonshine is. I think you’ve summed it up perfectly.
Cheers!
Jim
Nick Deane
What an amazing distillery and the copper still is a piece of artwork. If I ever make it to Perth I will have to pick up some of their moonshine. I am envious of your travels Jim, thanks for sharing.
Mr Romance
It’s a cracker, isn’t it, Nick? When you see how this stuff is made, it makes tasting it even more special.
If and when you do make it over here, definitely check out Western Australia – if not for their whisky, then just for the view. Beautiful part of the world. Don’t be too envious by the way – I’m absolutely knackered at the moment!
Thank you for reading along with my adventures though. Means a lot.
Cheers
Jim
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