Barrel Lane Release Australian Single Malt
Situated in Wyong, nestled along the Central Coast of New South Wales, Amber Lane isn’t just a distillery – it’s a lively celebration of friendship, trust and time-honoured traditions.
What began as a passion project for two astronomy buffs-turned-whisky aficionados has blossomed into one of Australia’s most highly-awarded whisky distilleries. Renowned for their use of large premium barrels, lengthy maturation cycles, and expert use of European distilling methods, Amber Lane shines brightly in the whisky world.
To co-founders Rod and Phil, whisky is a way of life; “sharing a dram brings people closer together. We love to contribute our knowledge of whisky with the like-minded. We are about connection, camaraderie and generosity. This is, above all, a journey of shared celebration and enjoyment.”
Their excellence has been consistently recognised by judges around the globe; every single drop released by Amber Lane has clinched gold at major national and international competitions, including the illustrious World Whisky Awards, San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), and International Wine and Spirits Competition. It’s an exceptional track record unlike any other in the country.
FOUNDERS ROD BERRY & PHIL TOWNSEND
ABOUT THE DISTILLERY
To uncover the origins of Amber Lane, we rewind a decade, where Rod Berry and Phil Townsend first crossed paths on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Their friendship grew through a mutual fascination with amateur astronomy; specifically, bespoke telescopes.
Rod’s passion for astronomy is only rivalled by his deep affection for whisky. Over many years, he curated an extensive private collection, with a particular fondness for Scotch while also exploring Bourbon, French, Japanese, and Australian varieties.
This love evolved into a burning desire to learn more about the craft, prompting Rod to venture to Scotland, France, and Spain. During one such barrel research expedition in 2002, Rod encountered the Cognac maturation technique. This method involves ageing double distilled grape spirit (eau de vie) in virgin French oak casks before transferring into older casks; capturing the natural oils of the virgin oak while maturing over long resting periods – sometimes decades. Rod’s education included formal sit-down training, hands-on work alongside producers, and visits to renowned cooperages to study cask production.
“Those two weeks in France changed the course of our distillery forever. We believe the innovations we’ve introduced will, in the long term, influence how Australian producers approach whisky ageing.”
Fast forward to 2017, during an astronomy trip with club members and their families, Rod and Phil visited Black Gate Distillery in Mendooran, NSW. Inspired by distiller Brian Hollingworth’s story and whisky, Phil turned to Rod with a proposal; “You know as much about whisky as Brian, and I have a massive rural shed. Why don’t we do what he has done and make whisky?” Within months, they were busy attending whisky courses, visiting distilleries interstate, obtaining licenses, and acquiring a massive 3,600L copper pot still – the very beginning of Amber Lane.
As if the stars had aligned, Phil and his wife Tish’s property in Yarramalong Valley offered ideal conditions for ageing premium whisky, just seven kilometres from the coast. The moderate temperatures and salty air impart a unique character, while the distillery’s warehouse, nestled into a hillside, benefits from western sun protection and ideal humidity from a large creek that runs through the property – echoing the traditions of Cognac distilleries along the Charentes River.
The distillery’s name honours a nearby laneway, while the wood texture on the label pays homage to the premium oak casks used in the ageing process, a nod to the heart of the whisky’s rich complexity. Central to the design is a mandala, reflecting Carl Jung’s concept of balance and harmony – a motif transcending cultures, aligning with Amber Lane’s global ambitions.
Since inception, Amber Lane aims to distinguish itself amongst Australian distilleries by drawing from global inspirations, notably French Cognac traditions. With Rod as CEO and Cellar Master, Phil as Head Distiller, Tish managing accounts, and a dedicated team of casual workers, their end-goal is creating an unparalleled whisky excellence.
“We probably spend three times as much on the cost of our barrels as most other Australian producers, but this quality is a bedrock of the quality of the final product.”
“The intention is to find ways to harness that tradition to elevate our whisky to a level no other Australian distillery has ever achieved to date,” Rod emphasises. “We do not release whisky that is not fantastic. Building a brand of excellence demands excellence from every release.”
This commitment extends to every minute detail. The 3600L copper pot still (affectionately named The Mary Rose after one of Rod’s favourite telescopes) has been designed to be reminiscent of the iconic Springbank stills from Scotland. By partnering with Six Strings, a nationally recognised brewery, Amber Lane ensures a consistent and premium wash.
Barrel selection is crucial; Amber Lane opts for large barrels – 200L to 300L –believing they enhance whisky quality with a longer, slower ageing period. The distillery maintains relationships with several barrel brokers to source the finest barrels, and Rod personally selects casks from top producers worldwide, including Heaven Hill in Kentucky for bourbon, and Fernando de Castilla in Jerez for sherry.
ABOUT THE WHISKY
A love letter to Cognac, this bespoke whisky artfully blends three-year-old ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, PX, and Apera casks with virgin French Oak, achieving an exquisitely balanced drop that is rich in flavour yet perfectly refined. In true Cognac style, the virgin French Oak takes centre stage. Gradually cut down over a meticulous two-month period, the 48% ABV ensures a complex yet accessible spirit that allows the nuances of maturation to shine.
This intricate single malt whisky welcomes with enticing aromas of stewed pears, dried apricots, barley, musk, and vanilla pods. On the palate, it delights with sweet nuances of milk chocolate, strawberries and cream, pineapple, ginger, cinnamon donuts, and layers of millefeuille. The finish is indulgent and enduring, offering a luxurious mouthfeel that evolves with each cask’s distinctive character. While it’s tempting to relish this dram rather swiftly, Rod recommends a slower approach to fully appreciate its depth and captivating subtleties.
ABOUT THE TASTING ROOM
Nestled among approximately 400 barrels of maturing whisky, Amber Lane’s tasting room occupies a snug corner within the distillery in Yarramalong Valley. Though compact, it exudes charm and serves as a gateway to Amber Lane’s world.
Currently, Rod and Phil host public tastings on the third Saturday of each month from 12pm to 4pm. These events offer guests a guided tour of the distillery, an in-depth exploration of Amber Lane’s meticulous production methods, and the opportunmity to engage directly with the dynamic duo. For just $20, visitors can indulge in a 4-dram whisky flight of their award-winning whiskies.
Available by appointment, the tasting room also offers personalised, private experiences. Whether for a corporate event, gathering, or celebration, all are welcomed with a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. If Rod and Phil sense a true enthusiasm for whisky, they might even open some ageing casks for a rare chance to sample their whiskies straight from the barrel.
OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE RANGE
Amber Lane’s two core whiskies are ‘Equinox’, a succulent blend of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry barrels; and ‘Liquid Amber’, a sherry cask style reminiscent of a Macallan 12-year-old.
Their annual small batch releases, all at cask strength, showcase their innovative spirit: ‘Silk Road’ combines virgin American Oak with re-fill ex-Bourbon casks, delivering a bourbon-like profile; ‘Noble Lane’ transitions the whisky from ex-Bourbon, to virgin French Oak, to a Botrytis cask for some truly complex flavours; and ‘Sleigh Bells’, dubbed “Christmas in a bottle”, is a sherry bomb ideal for festive celebrations.
Even more coveted, Amber Lane release some exceptional single cask expressions. Current offerings include ‘Apera 087’, awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition last year; ‘Apera 100’, a Gold medal; and finally but definitely not least; ‘Pineau 350’, finished in Pineau des Charentes Blanc, which took home an impressive Double Gold at the same awards in 2024.
In the early stages of release is a highly limited collection featuring five distinct expressions, dubbed the Alchemical Series. These whiskies showcase the diverse outcomes achievable through various barrel ageing techniques, illustrating their dedication to ongoing exploration and innovation. It promises an educational journey for whisky enthusiasts, revealing the boundless potential of oak influence in whisky production. Due to the limited size of this release, these are currently only available directly from the cellar door.
We at Barrel Lane are feeling very privileged to collaborate with Rod and Phil on this release, and are eagerly anticipating their future contributions to the world of Australian whisky.
