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Cut Hill Distillery: Stirring Up Spirits with Tradition, Technology, and a Twist of Magic.

Cut Hill Distillery isn't your average whiskey maker—it’s the rebel with a cause, the orchestra that plays not just by the book but by instinct, mixing ancient ballads with contemporary beats. Founded by a crew of spirited beverage aficionados, Cut Hill set out not to merely play nice with Australia's whiskey heritage but to write an entirely new chapter. Imagine a chef who reveres his grandmother’s recipes but isn’t afraid to toss in a pinch of something radical; that’s Cut Hill—honoring tradition while sprinkling in some cutting-edge alchemy.


Their first steps into the whiskey world weren’t grand fanfares but more like a soft whisper of things to come, a private serenade in the form of limited cask bottlings. Like teasing the first note of a symphony, these private barrels promised much but delivered enough to keep us eagerly awaiting the main score. Then came the crescendo: the Private Barrel Series Wine Cask—my first encounter with Cut Hill’s magic.


It’s a whiskey that takes you on a walk through a vineyard at twilight. Close your eyes, and you can almost feel the breeze off the Barossa and McLaren Vale vines, where the barrels were born.


On approach, the nose greets you like a lover from the past—sweet cherry and red wine notes embrace you with the warmth of familiarity, only to pull away and reveal the mystery of blueberry, apple, and the subtle spice of clove. It’s like biting into a ripe fruit while standing at the edge of a campfire: both comfort and adventure rolled into one.


On the tongue, this whiskey is a symphony of flavors. Sweet, buttery vanilla notes melt into honey and rum, like a well-rehearsed dance of sweetness. But just when you think you’ve got its measure, in come the sour and tannic notes, a twist of lime in a well-made cocktail, keeping things sharp and exciting. The finish? Think of it like a campfire’s dying embers, a final burst of oak and char to warm your soul, leaving you with a lingering smile. At 43% ABV, it’s the perfect introduction for wine lovers looking to tiptoe into whiskey’s rich world—a gentle guide, not a shove.


But if the Wine Cask is a twilight stroll, the Fortified Cask expression is a bold hike through a dense, mysterious forest. The nose hits you like a gust of wind through pines—woody, earthy, and tinged with a sweetness that promises secrets. There's an almondy undercurrent here, a reminder of homemade treats on winter nights, but with an edge that whispers, “There’s more.”


And oh, is there more. On the palate, it’s as if a fruit orchard exploded and showered the world in honeyed vanilla and rich, biscuity flavors. Dulce de leche? Absolutely. Amaretto? Of course. It’s dessert, but elevated—like indulging in a feast meant for gods. The finish is long and luxurious, a slow, satisfied sigh after an adventure well-spent, with brown sugar, cocoa, and the spice of nutmeg and cloves to tuck you in. It’s not just a drink—it’s an experience. A cozy, fireside indulgence that makes you want to pour another and savor every last note.


But Cut Hill doesn’t stop with whiskey. Oh no, their Lost Phoenix Australian Dry Gin is a story in itself—an ode to South Australia, distilled into a bottle. Think of it as a botanical love letter, written in pepperberry, lemon myrtle, and peppercorns. This gin is a phoenix indeed, rising from the ashes of the old to forge something new.


The juniper leads the charge, but it's flanked by piney notes that whisk you away to sun-drenched bushland, while the pepperiness kicks in like the crackle of campfire wood. There's citrus too—a playful, grapefruity zing that dances through the flavors, with aromatic menthol notes rounding it all out. Whether you’re mixing it into a refreshing G&T or sipping it neat by the beach, Lost Phoenix is a gin that refuses to be pigeonholed. It’s a spirit with soul, a drink that carries you through landscapes of flavor.


Cut Hill Distillery, with its whimsical embrace of tradition and forward-thinking creativity, is more than a distillery—it’s a storyteller. Every bottle, every sip, is a tale of land and sea, of barrels kissed by wine and botanicals born from rich South Australian soil. They’re not just crafting spirits; they’re capturing moments, bottling the essence of adventure, indulgence, and discovery. So pour a glass, raise it high, and toast to the new frontier.


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Words by AW.

Photos courtesy of Cut Hill Distillery.

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