In a world brimming with tantalising flavours and captivating aromas, whisky – or whiskey – stands tall as an elixir of distinction and indulgence. As such, building a collection is no easy feat.
WATCH BELOW: Karen And Joh Visit Corowa Whisky And Chocolate
Rob Lowe, a whiskey aficionado who is based out in Bathurst, has one of the largest whiskey collections in Australia. He shares the one thing he looks for when adding to his collection.
“Taste is number one and trumps anything else. Rarity is becoming a factor over the last couple of years but a bottle must first be a great drinker, or it will never make the cut,” he tells Better Homes and Gardens.
One of his favourites is Wild Turkey – with his biggest collection consisting of Wild Turkey Bourbon, taking up 90 per cent of his bottles.
“Some date back 20-plus years. If I had to pick one, it would be Russell’s Reserve 1998,” he says.
Rob also notes that when starting out, it’s important to be patient. “It’s a marathon not a sprint, so don’t beat yourself up if you miss some bottles – and you will miss some,” he says, adding that you should buy what you can, when you can.
“When I am adding to my collection, I’ll buy between one and two ‘drinkers’ (bottles to drink), one for the collection and another one to two bottles to trade down the track. That’s five bottles of the same thing right there, which can be quite costly.”
One of the more affordable and convenient ways to start or grow your whisky collection is via a subscription service, where you’ll be transported to a realm of flavour discovery and cask-aged wonders with each delivery.
A subscription typically entails a monthly or quarterly delivery of different whiskies from around the world, and sometimes samples or tasting sets to help you explore new flavours and learn more about the different types of whisky.
So, if you’d like to explore this whisky subscription phenomenon yourself, where every bottle becomes a vessel for extraordinary experiences, here are some of the best in Australia.
The best whisky subscriptions in Australia
One Bottle Membership, from $110 per month, The Whisky Club
Whether you’re a collector, a connoisseur or just looking forward to that casual Friday night dram, The Whisky Club is a sure way to unlock a world of whisky fun. You can choose between a one or two-bottle membership, with no joining fee, no minimum order, and you can cancel anytime.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Australian Whisky Tasting Set, $149 per box, Hardtofind
First released in 2016, this is the sixth iteration of White Possum’s trademark whisky-tasting flight. Featuring 12 sampler bottles filled with local whiskies, each one is presented in a 30ml matte-black glass bottle and labelled with the distillery, whisky name and where it was distilled so you can learn while you drink.
SHOP NOW
Whisky Flavour, approx. $130 per month, Cratejoy
Taste different whisky in a unique and affordable way through the Whisky Flavour Box, containing four original branded miniatures of whisky, glencairn glass, cork cup base, marble ice cubes and snacks to bring out the flavours.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Flaviar Membership, approx. $95 per month, Flaviar
Sign up for an authentic distillery tour experience without leaving your home. With a Flaviar membership you can sample and train your palate with themed tasting sets, expand your taste, and find your new favourite.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Please remember to drink responsibly. If you or someone you know needs help, the Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) is available 24/7 on 1800 250 015 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.