Lark Chinotto Citrus Cask (500 ml)

Lark Distillery, established in Hobart, Tasmania, pioneered Australian single malt in a region defined by cool maritime climate and pristine water sources. This expression represents a deliberate departure from traditional whisky finishing: rather than sherry or wine casks, Lark selected chinotto cask—vessels previously holding the Italian bitter-citrus aperitivo—to impart a distinctive aromatic signature absent from conventional single malts.

The base spirit is distilled from malted barley and aged in ex-bourbon casks before transfer to chinotto wood, where the residual botanicals and citrus oils from the Italian fortified wine infuse the spirit. This secondary maturation introduces bitter orange, quinine, and herbal complexity without overwhelming the underlying malt character. The 500 ml format signals limited production and experimental positioning within Lark's portfolio.

The chinotto finish is the transgressive element: rather than sweetness or spice, the whisky absorbs the aperitivo's signature bitterness and citrus bite, creating a palate that bridges whisky and fortified wine categories. This cask choice reflects Tasmania's growing reputation for non-traditional maturation vessels and reflects Lark's willingness to challenge single malt conventions.