Blogpost: Water of Life - Hartshorn

Posted by T • February 10, 2019

Posted by T • February 10, 2019

Water of Life - Hartshorn

If you have remotely followed this series, you would know that I harbour more than a mere weak spot for all things originating from Tasmania, given the consistent quality that specifically tipples, and libations of that origin prove to uphold.

Boutique-y Hartshorn Distillery with their sheep whey-based Gin and Vodka fits into the ranks of those premium micro distilleries – and when I say “micro” here it is more than appropriate given that Hartshorn is making only small, unfiltered batches using a two hundred litre glass column still.

Aesthetically, Hartshorn is taking the DIY aesthetic to the next level: Each bottle’s artwork and label is created individually by hand and signed off by artisan head distiller Ryan after the foundation being spray-painted black. Talking of paying attention to detail and making each bottle truly unique.

Given the premium quality one has grown accustomed to when it comes to Tasmanian emission it is not further wondrous that Hartshorn’s sheep whey emissions are award decorated.

Let’s substantiate my praises for Hartshorn with a bit of history:

Artisanal in nature, the core business Hartshorn is associated with is Grandvewe Cheeses, which is the reason why quite a few of Hartshorn’s spirits are infused with the cheese by-product whey, the fermentation and distillation of which adds a subtle and delicious bouquet of sweet nuances and encapsulates the essence of Hartshorn: Character, flavour and intrigue.

I cannot claim to be an avid vodka drinker, but Hartshorn's Sheep Whey Vodka is something else: It is pure and creamy yet there is texture due to it being unfiltered, it is flavourful yet not overwhelmingly so. Despite a high ABV of 50% it lends itself well to having it neat and sipping away, a feat that cannot really be claimed for a lot of other vodkas as the margin to hide behind is minimal as opposed to other liquors.

The smooth finish is complemented by notes of spice and a crispness that still packs a tad of heat.

Not less spectacular is Hartshorn’s vapour infused sheep whey Gin. The vapour infusion adds a subtle bouquet as opposed to the steeped method that gins are usually produced with.

Again, not being big on gin, I must admit that this one won me over as there is a delicate intensity that makes it not only aromatic but lends itself perfectly well for sipping it neat, a feat that is achieved with the utilization of six unique native Australian botanicals adding their part to it.

Read more Water of Life entries here.

---

Photo by T

T • February 10, 2019

More recent blogposts

PJ Harvey @ Sydney Opera House Forecourt

Posted by T • March 14, 2025

PJ Harvey Sydney Opera House Forecourt 13 March 2025 Sydney, Australia photo courtesy of Daniel Boud and the Sydney Opera House.Caption Some artists perform. PJ Harvey transmutes. Like a figure walking between worlds, she never lingers too long in one place, never allows herself to fossilize into nostalgia. Instead, she reinvents - without ever severing the thread that binds her … Read more

The Get Up Kids/Ozma @ The Glass House 3/7/25

Posted by Aaron H • March 14, 2025

The Get Up Kids - Credit: AMH The Get Up Kids just finished the US leg of their 25th Anniversary Tour for their seminal album, Something To Write Home About with 2 nights at The Glass House in Pomona. Of course, I didn't wanna miss it. Following support from Indie-Rock band, Ozma -- who ran through tracks from their first … Read more

Chat Pile/Gouge Away @ The Glass House 2/22/25

Posted by Aaron H • March 4, 2025

Chat Pile Fans - Credit: AMH Chat Pile are about to wrap up their US West Coast and Canada tour with Gouge Away this week. I was fortunate enough to catch the sludgy rockers when they came through Pomona last week. Nightosphere - Credit: AMH Kansas City's Nightosphere has opened the shows every night. The trio's unique blend of shoegaze … Read more

Cursive/Pile @ The Glass House 2/14/25

Posted by Aaron H • February 18, 2025

Cursive - Photo Credit: AMH In a time of a lot of bullshit going on, spending Valentine's Day with my wife and Cursive at my favorite venue was a great escape. Cursive are out on the road in support of their newest album, Devourer, with support from Boston-Rock quartet, Pile. I hadn't previously heard of Pile and was surprised to … Read more

Luke Combs @ Accor Stadium

Posted by T • February 2, 2025

Luke Combs 01 February 2025 Accor Stadium Sydney, Australia On a balmy February evening in Sydney, country music fans from across NSW flocked to Accor Stadium for what promised to be a historic night. Luke Combs, the global superstar who has redefined modern country music, made history as the first country artist to headline a full stadium tour in Australia … Read more

Wardruna @ Enmore Theatre

Posted by T • January 28, 2025

Wardruna 25 January 2025 Enmore Theatre Sydney, Australia photo courtesy of Wardruna In the humid haze of a Sydney summer evening, the Enmore Theatre became a portal to another realm, a sacred space where time and place blurred. On January 25, 2025, Wardruna delivered a transcendent performance that not only captivated but transported its audience into the heart of Nordic … Read more

Best of 2024 Playlist

Posted by Loren • January 23, 2025

Sometimes I get all introspective and ask myself why I do this. Not very often, but the answer is always because I like music. It's that simple. I like to discover new stuff and I like to share it. Every year, the staff at Scene Point Blank sink a ton of time into 3 big Year End features. Part of … Read more

Lung @ Lee's Palace

Posted by Mirela Z. • December 10, 2024

Lung @ Lee's Palace Toronto, ON Canada November 19, 2024 Have you ever heard a distorted electric cello, with intense vocals and heavy drum beats? Powerhouse duo, cellist Kate Wakefield and drummer Daisy Caplan, are not to be underestimated! Seeing them for the first time perform live has left me wanting more! Read more

Better Lovers @ The Observatory 11/30/24

Posted by Aaron H • December 5, 2024

Better Lovers: Photo Credit - AMH Better Lovers are making the rounds again, this time with a new full-length LP, Highly Irresponsible, released earlier this Fall. The hardcore mash-up of ex-Dillinger Escape Plan and ex-Every Time I Die members recently brought their show to So-Cal, and I had the pleasure of seeing how things have been going since last year. … Read more

Rise Against/LSDunes/Cloud Nothings @ HOB 11/20/24

Posted by Aaron H • November 28, 2024

Rise Against Fans - Photo Credit: AMH Rise Against decided to hit the road this past fall and brought along L.S. Dunes. Depending on your city, different acts opened the show. Cleveland, Ohio's Cloud Nothings covered the crowd warm-up duties on their run through California. With a bill this stacked, I didn't want to miss it. Cloud Nothings - Photo … Read more

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025