They might be considered new kids on the block, but it hasn’t stopped Morris Whisky from dominating the world stage.
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The Rutherglen-based business recently picked up a plethora of awards from around the world, cementing their status as one of Australia’s best whisky producers.
The exclusive 2022 release of Morris Tokay Barrel Whisky was voted the top Australian whisky in the inaugural 2022 Whisky Club Awards last month. Irish brand Bushmills took out the first spot on the list overall, with Morris Whisky a close second. The Tokay also scored a Double Gold medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and the Master at the Spirits Business Luxury Masters 2022.
Meanwhile, Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel was awarded Gold and Category Winner at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards- the global awards which select the very best in all the international recognised styles.
Head Distiller Darren Peck described the recent recognitions as “absolutely fantastic”.
“Our whisky production commenced in 2016, but we only launched two years ago,” Mr Peck told the Free Press.
“It comes down to the work of our entire team. When set up here, we brought in a team of experts led by John McDougall.”
The still used at Morris is an Australian-built Whitehill hybrid copper pot and column still. It was installed at the Morris winery in the early 1930s and used for producing fortifying spirit.
“After we restored it, we named her Aurora in reference to the princess in Sleeping Beauty,” Mr Peck said.
“Our other still was found in another winery which we named Ella, after Cinderella. She was cleaned up and given love it deserved, hence the name.”
Mr Peck said despite being new to the whisky game, the practices at Morris are unique to anywhere in the world.
“It’s the full circle. We use French and American oak wine barrels from our family-owned wineries in the Barossa and Coonawarra regions. They are then transferred to our cooperage here and re-charred before being filled with new spirit,” he said.
With 25 years of experience in the alcohol industry, Mr Peck has travelled the world to learn his craft.
“I’m originally from the UK and that is where I studied brewing and distilling,” he said.
“My claim to fame is that I’ve made alcohol on six out of seven continents. I’ve only got Antarctica left!
“I’ve been in Australia for the past 11 years where I started in the wine industry. Around six or seven years ago, the Rutherglen opportunity came up.”
Upon arriving in Rutherglen, Mr Peck worked under the tutelage of John McDougall- one of the world’s most renowned whisky makers with experience consulting in over 25 distilleries and brands including Balvenie, Laphroaig and Springbank.
“It’s great working for a small family-owned business. I’m really enjoying it here. It’s a lovely area,” Mr Peck said.
“We are really proud of the work we do. I’m obviously biased, but Morris makes the best fortified wines in the world, so it’s great when tourists come and say, ‘oh you do whisky too’. I’ll be shocked when the day comes that someone walks in and says, ‘oh you do wine as well!’
“It’s fabulous to be recognised for our work. These competitions are very prestigious, so we are just thrilled to receive such great feedback.”
The restored ‘Aurora’ still was installed at the Morris winery in the early 1930s and used for producing fortifying spirit.
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