WAVES OF FLAVOUR - Manly Spirits

Coastal Stone Whisky by Manly Spirits Co. Distillery has gone straight from The Beaches to global acclaim. Manly Spirits Co-Founder, Vanessa Wilton, gives us an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the flavours, the art and the journey of a woman in whisky.

Vanessa Wilton

What inspired you to create Coastal Stone Whisky?

Australia is renowned for producing world-class wine and beer, making it puzzling that we import 97% of our whisky. Distilling shares many common skills and utilises core ingredients like barley, which are extensively grown in NSW and Victoria. With the increasing popularity of cocktails and spirits, the opportune moment arrived to embark on our whisky distilling journey in 2017. People know us for our gins, and now after more than six years of maturing, our whisky brand, Coastal Stone, is on everyone’s lips.

What sets your whisky apart from others?

With eight gold medals from the world’s top competitions, it’s clear we are onto something special. Our coastal temperate climate and high-quality water, filtered through natural sandstone, create the perfect conditions for our barrels to mature evenly and at a faster rate than traditional Scottish whisky.

The result is a whisky with a subtle marine influence. We take pride in using clean Australian grain and employing patient production processes. Unlike those driven by big output targets, we focus on meticulous craftsmanship to achieve an exceptionally refined spirit. Our custom-designed stills, featuring upward sloping line arms, further contribute to our unique product.

In our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, we prioritise the use of high-quality ex-Australian red wine barrels which are readily available in Australia. This allows us to reach our desired flavour without relying solely on imported ex-bourbon and fortified barrels. Our distillers possess exceptional skills in marrying these barrels, resulting in bold and balanced flavours that really stand out.

What’s your favourite way to drink whisky?

I like drinking my whisky over a large ice cube. Subtle dilution can open up the flavours of the whisky by softening the alcohol and allowing more subtle notes to emerge. It also helps release aromas and enhance the overall tasting experience. Otherwise, nothing beats a delicious whisky-based Boulevardier cocktail. It’s a simple variation on the classic Negroni that is adored for its deft balance of bitter, boozy and sweet. It’s the exact drink you want to reach for on a chilly fall or Winter evening. •

MANLY SPIRITS // 4A/9-13 WINBOURNE RD, BROOKVALE 2100 // (02) 8018 5144. //. INSTA: @COASTALSTONEWHISKY / @MANLYSPIRITS manlyspirits.com.au