From WWII Recipes to Cask Strength Mischief: Whipper Snapper Unveiled.

Whiskey has a way of carrying history in its barrel staves, and Whipper Snapper’s story is proof. Long before a still was fired up in Perth, two young WWII pilots were scribbling a corn whiskey recipe between missions - a liquid keepsake of grit and camaraderie. Decades later, that wartime blueprint landed in the hands of Jimmy McKeown, who didn’t just dust it off, he supercharged it. Today, as Co-Founder and Master Distiller, Jimmy isn’t merely making whiskey; he’s guarding a legacy, steering a brand, and ensuring every bottle carries the swagger of its improbable beginnings.

Jimmy’s fingerprints are everywhere - from the way Whipper Snapper looks and speaks, to the spirit itself. He’s the sort of distiller who treats the label with as much respect as the mash bill, and yet, his approach isn’t precious. It’s hands-on, a little renegade, and unmistakably Australian - the kind of energy that turns an old Air Force recipe into something that feels as modern and bold as the city it calls home.

And nowhere does that spirit flex harder than in Upshot Cask Strength - our not-so-secret favourite. Australia’s first cask strength corn whiskey isn’t just a higher proof sibling of the signature Upshot, it’s a statement piece. Burnt amber in the glass, it greets you with toasted pecan and toffee before plunging into caramel, butterscotch, and roasted macadamia territory. The mouthfeel? Rich and oily enough to feel decadent, yet disciplined enough to carry a long, generous finish of vanilla and chocolate. At 63%, it’s not here to play nice - it’s here to remind you that whiskey can be both a brawler and a poet.

Think of it as Upshot with its tie loosened and sleeves rolled up - still impeccably put together, but not afraid to throw you a wink and dare you to keep up. Best enjoyed neat, it’s whiskey for the adventurous: unfiltered, unapologetic, and proof that Jimmy’s stewardship is less about preservation and more about evolution.

Because at Whipper Snapper, the past isn’t something to be bottled and admired - it’s something to be drunk, argued with, and pushed further. And with that bold spirit in mind, we sat down with Jimmy himself to dig deeper - not just into the whiskey, but into the man, the mission, and the mischief that fuels Whipper Snapper.

Crafting mischief, distilling charm, and making sure your glass never stays innocent for long.

1. What original beliefs or bold ideas from when you started still shape how you do things today?

Jimmy McKeown: From day one, we believed Australia could make world-class whiskey - not by copying the Scots or Americans, but by crafting something uniquely ours. Local grains, local climate, our own hard-earned style. We weren’t chasing trends - we were chasing authenticity. That belief still drives every mash, every barrel, every decision.

2. Why did you release Upshot Cask Strength as full proof without diluting it? What makes you want to let the whiskey speak so boldly?

Jimmy McKeown: Because sometimes the whiskey’s got more to say. Cask Strength isn’t for the faint-hearted - it’s raw, honest, and full of character. We wanted people to taste Upshot in its strongest form: unapologetic and bold. And for the whiskey nerds - it’s a front-row seat to how maturation at different ABVs affects flavour extraction over time.

3. How do you honour traditional whiskey making while still doing things your own, modern way?

Jimmy McKeown: Why reinvent the wheel? Making whiskey isn’t rocket science - but making great whiskey is an art. We’ve learnt from the old ways - patience-first, hands-on, slow-crafted. But we’re not stuck in the past. Our gear’s modern, our mindset too. We’re precise, innovative, and unafraid to challenge the norm. Our brand looks contemporary and feels different for a reason - but tradition is still built into the DNA.

4. How does WA’s weather and land affect how your whiskey tastes?

Jimmy McKeown: WA doesn’t do gentle seasons - hot summers, cool winters, and dry air create wild barrel swings. That means more interaction with the wood, faster aging, and bolder flavours. We also use 100% local grain, so you’re literally tasting Western Australia in the glass - earthy, sun-soaked, and a little bit wild.

5. If Upshot were a person, what kind of vibe would they have? What would they wear and what would they drink?

Jimmy McKeown: Upshot’s that mate who rocks up to the campfire in worn-in boots, a flannel shirt, and knows how to tell a cracking story. Confident, down-to-earth, a bit cheeky. They’re drinking whiskey neat, of course, maybe a dark beer - but they’ll shout you a round and never make a fuss about it.

6. You started from the shared stories of veterans. How does that history still show up in your team, your culture and/or the way you work?

Jimmy McKeown: Whipper Snapper began with a wartime recipe and a handshake between mates. That legacy of service, resilience, and loyalty still runs deep. We back veterans through our Veterans Club, but more than that it’s in how we show up: head down, do the job right, look out for your mates, and never cut corners.

7. There are many flashy whiskey trends out there. Why do you keep things simple and true to style?

Jimmy McKeown: Because gimmicks fade, good whiskey doesn’t. We focus on grain quality, fermentation, distillation, and barrels. Nail those and the whiskey speaks for itself. We also want our customers to have confidence in our product, and delivering the above helps that. Honestly, I reckon people are sick and tired of gimmicks.

8. Why is it important for you to be open about every part of the whiskey-making process? What do you think drinkers want to know but often don’t hear?

Jimmy McKeown: Transparency builds trust. We open our doors, run tours, answer the curly questions. Drinkers are more curious than ever - they want to know where the grain comes from, how long it’s aged, whether it’s sustainable, even where the oak’s from. And why not tell them? Whiskey’s not just about sipping, it’s about understanding. It’s unique, honest, and a very natural process. If we want to earn the trust of hardened Scotch and Bourbon drinkers, we’ve got to prove why our whiskey’s worth a shot.

9. Can you share a story that really sums up what Whipper Snapper is all about?

Jimmy McKeown: One bold idea from two young whipper snappers who were told their dream of making top-shelf whiskey in Australia, let alone Perth! - was impossible. We set out to redefine Australian whiskey. Inspired by tradition but driven by innovation, we wanted to create something truly our own: a whiskey for the people. Every bottle celebrates craftsmanship, character, and curiosity. From grain to glass, we do things right, in the heart of East Perth, Western Australia. We’re not just making whiskey; we’re carrying on a story, building something with pride, and doing it the Aussie way.

10. If you could age whiskey in a feeling or an emotion instead of just wood, what would it be and why?

Jimmy McKeown: It’d be aged in grit, with a side of joy and good company. Grit for the hard yards, the long hours, busted pumps, and relentless pursuit of better. Joy because despite it all, we bloody love what we do. Good company because it’s meant to be shared.

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Words and questions by AW.

Answers Jimmy McKeown.