Husk Distillers Sidetrack 8Malt – what happens when rum and beer makers make whisky
Husk Farm Distillery – best known for shaking up the Australian rum scene – has gotten sidetracked in a brewery for a second time. And, once again, what has come as a result is something all Whisky Magazine Australia readers would be happy to raise a glass to – an eight-malt mash bill, six year old limited release whisky.
The Sidetrack story began in 2018 when the recently retired Head Distiller of Cardhu Distillery, William ‘Buzz’ Hutchinson, visited the Northern Rivers to help commission Husk's custom-built 6,000 litre Forsyth copper pot still, hand-forged in Scotland.
Someone asked the obvious question – ‘why not make a barrel of whisky while you're here?’ – and what followed was one barrel, a dozen lessons, and the beginning of something unexpected.
That ‘something expected’ was Sidetrack Stone Whisky; the first release in the series, made with Stone & Wood and released last year. Now, 8Malt Whisky continues the story, this time in partnership with Gold Coast craft brewery Black Hops.
As Quentin Brival, CEO of Husk Distillers, puts it, “you only do a collaboration like this if both sides bring something real. Black Hops brought boldness and creativity to the mash bill, and Husk brought the distilling expertise, Rum cask influence and patience to turn it into something genuinely distinctive.”
So how did the collab work?
First, Black Hops brewed and fermented the eight-malt mash bill. Although the full eight malts weren’t publicly revealed, it is described as containing “a heavy barley base complimented by some rye for subtle spicy notes and wheat for extra smoothness.”
Next, Husk distilled the wash in the custom still and filled freshly emptied Husk Rum barrels that had once held their award-winning rum.
After six years of ageing in the Northern Rivers sub-tropical climate, 1,000 500ml bottles were filled and publicly released at 46% ABV.
Cayle Lutas from Black Hops said: ”We had the opportunity to develop a mash bill designed purely around flavour and then watch it evolve through six years of careful maturation. The result is a whisky that reflects the shared commitment of both teams to craftsmanship, patience and creating something genuinely distinctive."
8Malt is Husk’s most expressive whisky to date – a layered and textural whisky with real depth and complexity. The eight-malt mash bill delivers flavour and structure, while six years in ex-
Husk Rum barrels has added richness, roundness and a long, warming finish.
If keen on grabbing a bottle for just $95 we recommend seeking one out fast given the limited quantity made.
