5Nines Cola Cask

Australian Single Malt Whisky

The Distillery

5Nines Distillery is located in South Australia, Australia. The meaning behind their name is actually quite interesting and i learned this from Steven Griguol himself during a live tasting session with The Single Malt Whisky Club. Their aim for 99.999% perfection results in 5 nines, which is how they landed on the name.

They are a small batch distillery in Adelaide Hills and focuses on unique offerings and using their own hand crafted malt spirit to deliver a unique flavour profile, that people can recognise as 5Nines.

Personally i love the thick, velvety mouthfeel that you get from 5Nines whiskies and its the distinctive thing that i take away from their spirit.

This was the first bottling in 5Nines special release series. This playful whisky will bring back youthful memories of “whisky and cola”. This expression was finished for 8 months in a barrel which had been seasoned with cola.

Distilled 26th November 2018 and bottled on 12th June 2021 using South Australian grown and malted pilsner in 200L French Oak Casks with a medium char, yielding 364 bottles.

The Region

South Australia, Australia

The Whisky Review

47.5%
ABV
NAS
Age
Ex Adelaide Hills white wine, seasoned with a popular brand of cola
Cask Type
Non Chill Filtered
Chill Filtration

Nose 4/5

Pepsi, mulberry, caramel, nutty oak, pistachios, grapes, cinammon, raspberry tart. This nose is a wild ride that begins with what i believe is the cola they used to season the cask and rides through waves of fruits and nuts.

Palate 4/5

Extremely thick and velvety mouthfeel, rich dark sticky fruit, maple syrup, caramel, malt, honey, cherry pie, nutella. Dries the mouth out slightly as it coats everything.

Finish 3.5/5

Medium length finish, caramelised figs, juicy grapes, raisins, buttered doughy bread, dates, clove and biscuits all intermingle with the pepsi vibe. The flavours taper off from the palate and arent as bold and intense, but you can still pick them.

The Verdict

Incredible nose and mouthfeel, the clear highlights of the whisky. I get carried away when i pour one of these, going back in to smell the glass multiple times before i have another sip, its such an interesting nose.

The mouthfeel is one of the best i’ve experienced, with pure velvety softness coating the entire mouth, backed with a little heat. The flavours themselves are quite complex and beautifully balanced. Due to the complexity and large difference to the usual whisky flavours, it isnt your daily drinker, but one that you reach for when you’re in the mood for something a bit off the beaten path.

I quite enjoy pulling this one out for blind pours when a mate comes over to stump them as it always seems to bamboozle those who try.