There’s something incredibly special about pouring the first dram of a whisky you’ve spent years creating.
At Puss & Mew Distillery, we’re proud to introduce Distichon, our inaugural Australian single malt whisky. Every bottle represents patience, craftsmanship and a passion for producing exceptional whisky using premium Australian ingredients.
If you’re searching for a craft whisky in Melbourne, a Victorian distillery, or a unique Australian single malt, we’d love to share the story behind Distichon.
Why is it called Distichon?
The name Distichon comes from Hordeum distichon—the scientific name for two-row barley, the traditional barley variety used to create many of the world’s finest single malt whiskies.
We wanted our first whisky to honour the grain that started it all. While casks often steal the spotlight, every great whisky begins with exceptional barley.
Crafted from Australian Grain
Distichon begins with premium two-row barley.
Australian barley is renowned around the world for producing clean, rich malt flavours, making it the perfect foundation for a premium single malt whisky.
From grain to glass, every step of production has been carefully considered to preserve the character of the barley while allowing the cask to shine.
Distilled in Helen
Every distillery has its heart.
Ours is Helen, our Australian-made copper pot still. Helen produced every drop of Distichon with precision and care, creating a spirit full of character before it ever touched oak.
Copper plays a vital role in refining the spirit, creating a smooth, elegant whisky ready to mature gracefully.
A First-Fill Portuguese Port Cask
Once distilled, Distichon was filled into a first-fill ex-Port cask from Portugal and patiently matured for two years. Using a first-fill cask means the whisky receives maximum influence from the previous contents, allowing the rich fruit character of the Port to beautifully complement the malt spirit. The result is a whisky that is wonderfully approachable while offering plenty of complexity.
Tasting Notes:
Colour
A gorgeous rich golden amber with warm copper highlights and excellent clarity
Nose
An inviting aroma of ripe red berries, dark cherries and plum, layered with honey, vanilla, toasted oak and subtle baking spices. With gentle hints of orange and dried figs adding complexity.
Palate
A beautifully rounded single malt where the first fill Ruby Port cask takes centre stage. Velvety notes of dark chocolate, raisin, plum pudding and blackberry preserve unfold across the palate, balanced by sweet malt, gentle baking spices and a touch of roasted hazelnut. The Australian barley provides a creamy, biscuity backbone that carries the richness effortlessly.
Finish
Long, warming and decadent, with lingering dried fruit, soft oak spice, and dark chocolate. Elegant and comforting, leaving a lasting impression long after the final sip.
More Than Just a Whisky
Distichon isn’t simply our first whisky. It’s the culmination of years of planning, learning and patience. Many members of our whisky community joined us in early 2024 to help fill this very cask during our whisky-making classes. Watching the whisky mature over the past two years has made this release even more meaningful. Every bottle tells that story.
Experience Distichon at Puss & Mew Distillery
Visitors to Puss & Mew Distillery in Nunawading, Melbourne can enjoy Distichon through guided tastings while learning about its journey from Australian barley to bottle.
Whether you’re an experienced whisky enthusiast or just beginning your whisky journey, Distichon offers a rich yet approachable style that showcases what Australian craft distilling can achieve.
If you’re looking for:
- Australian Single Malt Whisky
- Melbourne Whisky Tasting
- Victorian Distillery Experiences
- Craft Whisky Near Melbourne
- Whisky Masterclasses
- Boutique Distillery Victoria
we’d love to welcome you to our distillery.
Purchase Distichon
Distichon is available exclusively through Puss & Mew Distillery.
As our inaugural whisky release, production is extremely limited.
We invite you to visit the distillery, experience the story behind every bottle and discover why Distichon is a celebration of Australian barley, exceptional cask maturation and the passion of small-batch craft distilling.
Raise a glass to where every great whisky begins.
