Corowa Distilling Co. Mad Dog Morgan

Review

We were keen to try the Mad Dog, as Corowa Distilling have a great story, turning an old flour mill on the Murray River into a distillery, and maturing whisky in muscat barrels from nearby Rutherglen sounded right up our alley. The muscat barrels give it a distinctive sweet, fortified wine character that sets it apart from the more traditional bourbon or sherry casks, and the malty foundations are solid. However, we found it struggled to find its balance. The fruit, wood and spice never quite came together, and each seemed to compete rather than complement the others. The finish, in particular, didn't appeal to us, lacking the length and complexity we'd hope for at this price point. Some will enjoy the sweet fruit notes from those muscat barrels, but for us it was ultimately underwhelming and unbalanced. At around $165 for a 500ml bottle, it's not one we can recommend, and we won't be rushing back for another.