The following originally appeared on Food Digital on October 22, 2012:

While Scotch is only produced in Scotland the rest of the world hasn’t hesitated to get in on this single malt whisky malarkey.  There are multi-award winning distilleries scattered around the globe.  While Japan has forged a fierce reputation for producing some of the world’s finest single malt whiskies the world whisky map now includes India (Amrut), Sweden (Mackmyra), Taiwan (Kavalan), the US (Clear Creek) and many other countries besides.  We live in exciting times with many countries producing award winning single malts worthy of exploration.

Recently, Purple Valley Imports (importers of Amrut and Glenglassaugh and Icons of Whisky America’s “Whisky Importer of the Year 2013”) has brought Tasmanian Distillery’s Sullivans Cove to these shores.  So far, the reception has been very positive.

Tasmanian Distillery double distills wash (made from Tasmanian barley) from the local Cascade Brewery in a single pot still.  Because of their small production size, it takes five wash runs and two spirit runs to distill the 12,000 liters (3200 gallons) of wash.  With one production run every couple of weeks the distillery manages to fill one hundred and twenty 200 liter (53 gallon) casks every year.  They have three releases: Sullivans Cove 11 Year Old American Oak (ex-bourbon) single cask; Sullivans Cove 11 Year Old French Oak (ex-port) single cask; and no-age-statement Sullivans Cove Double Barrel which is a vatting of the American Oak and French Oak matured stock.

Earlier this year, Tasmanian Distillery won gold at the World Whisky Masters and in the last week they have been named Australasian Distiller of the Year at the inaugural Wizards of Whisky blind tasting in London and Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray’s world renowned Whisky Bible 2013.

Speaking from Los Angeles where he was promoting the US launch of Sullivans Cove, Master Distiller Patrick Macguire was delighted to hear the news: “This is the second time this week that I have been called up with great news.  First it was Australasian Distiller of the Year and now Jim Murray’s Southern Hemisphere Whisky of the Year!  This is the greatest moment of my distilling career.  To be awarded that kind of score (96.5/100) by Jim Murray is just unbelievable.  I would like to say a big thanks to the team back home; this is true testament to our hard work and it’s such a great feeling to know that you have made an historic whisky.  Huge party at the distillery when I get back!”Patrick Maguire completes his US tour this week.  He’ll be pouring his three releases and discussing the production process at events in Philadelphia the first half of this week and in New York the second half