THE PORTS CASK - RELEASE VZM06

The Ports Cask

In 1927, a voyage of over 8,000 nautical miles between the Ports of Genoa and Fremantle took around 45 days. It was a long, arduous journey and the conditions for third class passengers were rough. For Valentino, like so many others, the voyage between the two ports marked the transition from his old life to a new life that he could hardly imagine.

Life in his village in the Dolomites meant green pastures, snow capped Alps and following in his family trade as a tinsmith. However work was hard to get, hence his decision to leave Italy. The job awaiting him in Australia could not have been more different - he was going to work down a mine shaft in the outback town of Broken Hill.

Luckily for Valentino, during that voyage he was offered an opportunity to join the railway construction crew 20 miles north of Oodnadatta. He spent two years in Central Australia with railway workers who called him “Frank”. When the Old Ghan line finally reached Alice Springs, the construction company offered Valentino a job working on the Melbourne tramways. That lucky turn of events ultimately established Melbourne as his new home.

Thanks to his life changing voyage between the ports, Valentino’s story has been shared in a way he could never have imagined. Salute Nonno!

The Ports Cask, is a 100 litre French oak ex-tawny from McWilliams Wines. Cask No. 1, it was the first destined to become The Stillmaker Single Malt Whisky.

Tasting Notes

Nose:   honeyed apricots, marmalade, figs, golden syrup on toast

Palate:  dark fruits, balance of sweetness and oak, perfumed richness

Finish:  Long and satisfying, syrupy orchard fruits linger alongside a warming finish