Tasmanian distillery Sullivans Cove has been named World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt for a fourth time, becoming the only distillery to achieve the feat.
The award was announced at the World Whiskies Awards in London on Wednesday, where the Cambridge-based producer’s 18-year-old French oak ex-white wine whisky took out the top honour.
The winning bottle came from Single Cask No. TD0112, which has already sold out.
It follows previous World’s Best wins for Sullivans Cove in 2014, 2018 and 2019, with no other distillery matching its record at the competition.
The whisky was matured for 18 years in a French oak cask that previously held white wine.
“To be recognised again at a global level speaks less to any single whisky, and more to the philosophy that underpins everything we do,” CEO Andy Gaunt said.
“Sullivans Cove has never set out to follow established pathways – we have focused on understanding our own conditions, our own materials and building a framework that allows each cask to reach its full potential.”
Director of Whisky Creation Heather Tillott said managing white wine casks for such extended periods required constant attention.
“These casks bring structure, brightness and tannin, which over extended time require both resilience from the spirit and precise, considered management,” she said.
“Every stage of its maturation has been closely observed and carefully guided.”
The distillery also received two additional awards.
Tillott was named Global Innovator Manager of the Year, while Supply Chain Manager Marcelo Viapiana won Global Warehouse Manager of the Year.
Founded in 1994, Sullivans Cove produces whisky on a small scale, bottling from individual casks rather than blending batches.
Fellow Tasmanian distillery Lark also won World’s Best Design for its Lark Range.
