Lucky Choice is the label of Hi Liquor, an important link between the Macau / Hong Kong / China scene (where they’re from) and Australia (where they’re operating). Hence a series of joint bottlings with Australian whisky bars like Bar Code in Melbourne. They’re responsible for bringing a series of European and Asian bottlers to Australian customers, but they’re also selecting their own casks. Check their website for more background information.
We’re trying a recent Imperial 1989 and Springbank 1999, but also a Laphroaig 1991 that was bottled for the anniversary of Bar Campbeltown Loch and Kanpaikai, both in Japan.
Imperial 35 yo 1989 (47,2%, Lucky Cask for Bar Code Melbourne 2025, bourbon cask #96)
Nose: a warm mix of almond paste, a lot of vanilla custard, candied yellow fruits, buttercups and sweet honey, brightened up by some lemon zest and mild gingery notes. Quite a lot of candle wax too. Then there is a wave of beach sand and chalk, along with some oak spice and a moderate hint of coconut.
Mouth: apricots, vanilla ice cream, more warm waxy notes and warming oak. That basically sums it up. Some minty notes, mineral oils and hints of lemon balm. Sunflower oil, puffed rice and gorse. Hints of yellow plum. Then a great waxiness again, as well as light herbs. The oak is noticeable but never gets in the way.
Finish: fairly long, with a similar mix of mellow fruits, a bit of zesty citrus and herbal / earthy oak.
I really like these old Imperials. There’s always a moderate fruitiness with warm waxy notes. The oak becomes a little loud sometimes, but here it is very well behaved. This cask is on the same level as some of the Director’s Special releases.
Springbank 25 yo 1999 (54,2%, Lucky Choice & Bar Code Melbourne 2024, refill hogshead LC369)
Nose: moist tobacco leaves and old leather with, raisins and prunes. Blackberries. Then cold cuts, some polished brassware and metal tools, along with the typical earthy character of potting soil and Pu-Erh. Wet paper. At the top there’s also a high-pitched combination of rosemary and wood polish.
Mouth: the sherry cask takes the lead. Nice blackberries, prune jam and orange peels. These notes merge with cedar wood, dried meats and hints of dark syrup. Some chocolate and coffee. A nice mix of umami and dried fruits. Then also dunnage warehouse notes, along with black pepper, a hint of smoke, tobacco and drying leathery notes.
Finish: medium, with dark forest fruits, unlit matchsticks and liquorice.
There have been a number of excellent late-1990s Springbanks lately, and this is a nice addition. Perhaps a tad too focused on the umami character for my taste, but then we’re nitpicking of course. Score: 92/100
Laphroaig 33 yo 1991 (50,6%, Lucky Choice for Bar Campbeltown Loch & Kanpaikai 2025, barrel #500274/91, 164 btl.)
Nose: starts on plaster, oyster shells, sunflower oil and bandages. Then grapefruit and unripe banana, as well as sweet lemons. Hints of oil paint and blonde tobacco leaves. Very fine smoke as well, nothing too medicinal, sophistication is the key here.
Mouth: oily and fairly sweet. Now the medicinal side is stronger, strengthened by some coastal notes. Salty anchovies and brine, with green olives, lemon piths and herbal notes. Subtle hints of stewed peaches in the background. Later a wee floral touch as well.
Finish: long and smoky, with more smoke and salty grapefruit.
This find the sweet spot between medicinal Islay notes and… well… the sweetness. Overall a lovely trio. Score: 91/100