History

Woodwater Distillery is a small distillery in South Australia which, according to the website, emphasizes an approach of Discovery. Diversity. Exploration. through the production of premium Single Malt Whisky. According to the first release, the dream of creating and releasing their own single malt became a reality through two 100L casks in the first release – Chardonnay Cask and Tawny Cask – and both whiskies won silver at the 2022 World Whisky Awards in London and were bottled at award strength, as well as a smaller Distiller's Strength edition. The casks come from McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley in SA, and Chardonnay casks are sourced from France. The distillery is described as a producer that does not have a core portfolio, but instead lets each cask and each release tell a unique story.

Woodwater positions itself as an experimental producer focusing on local ingredients and different mash bills. They work with several combinations and mash bills and employ a range of different casks including Chardonnay, Tawny, Red Gum, Oloroso, Apera and PX Brandy as well as Bourbon/Rum casks. Each release reads as a unique narrative, where each cask gives its own character and development.

Production / Manufacturing

According to Woodwater, the process is based on malt whisky with a focus on variation in grain and mash bills. The production is described as Single Malt Whisky, handmade and double distilled. Fermentation lasts at least 5 days, and the heart of the spirit is drawn off to casks through a two-run distillation. The casks are typically filled at around 63.5% ABV and are often 100L in size, primarily French oak with varying char. Maturation takes place at around 18–23°C to develop character and depth in the glass. A substantial portion of the portfolio consists of non-traditional casks such as Chardonnay, Tawny, Red Gum, Oloroso, Apera and PX Brandy.

Mash Bills vary between releases: Export Pilsner as the base malt, Crystal roasted malt and UK Peated Malt are used in different combinations. There are also mentions of trials with a 50/50 blend of mashes in certain projects. The distillation premise is called MVD or RD in some releases.

Products / Whisky Series

First Release

• 2x 100L casks: Chardonnay Cask and Tawny Cask. Both won Silver at the World Whisky Awards in 2022 and were bottled at award strength, as well as a Distiller's Strength edition in a smaller quantity.
• Chardonnay Cask: 4 years, 100L French Oak, Medium Char; Mash Bill: Single (Export Pilsner); Fermentables and feints stem from a previous spirit run that was peated, which gives a light smoke and a creamy character.
• Tawny Cask: 3 years and 3 months, 100L French Oak, Heavy Char; Mash Bill: Dual (Crystal roasted malt / Export Pilsner).

Upcoming Releases

• Ninth Release: Chardonnay / Tokay Cask, 59.7% ABV, 5 years. Originally Chardonnay cask from Geoff Hardy in McLaren Vale, then moved to Tokay cask in Barossa Valley for a further 2 years and 9 months. Bronze Award at the 2023 World Whisky Awards; 2024 IWSC – Silver Award (94 points).
• Third Release: Red Gum Cask, 3 years, 52% ABV, 100L Red Gum Cask, Extra Heavy Toast from Barossa. Bronze Award at the 2023 World Whisky Awards.
• Fifth Release: Oloroso Cask + Apera Cask, 61.4% ABV, 4 years and 2 months. 100L Spanish Oloroso Sherry Cask + Apera Cask (Heavy Char). Mash Bill Quad; UK Peated Malt in a small proportion.
• Eleventh Release: Bourbon/Rum Cask, 57.2% ABV, 5 years 1 month. 67L Ex-Bourbon/Rum Cask. Mash Bill Triple – Pilsner 75%, Crystal Malt 20%, Chocolate Malt 5%.
• Twelfth Release: PX Brandy Cask, 59.3% ABV, 5 years 8 months. 100L French Oak. Mash Bill Multi-batch including Pilsner, Crystal Malt, Chocolate Malt and UK Peated Malt.

Other products

Woodwater sells MY Gin, which combines grape spirit with malted barley spirit to give a smooth and fuller mouthfeel, and there are also barrel-aged variants of MY Gin.

Philosophy

Woodwater presents itself through the slogan-like quote Discovery. Diversity. Exploration. and emphasizes a limited range of products, where each cask and release tells its own story. They highlight the importance of time, patience and warmth in the glass and their desire to highlight Australian, local characteristics through unique casks and mash bills.