Old Kempton Lavender Malt Liqueur

Old Kempton Lavender Malt Liqueur is a Tasmanian malt-spirit liqueur flavoured with lavender.

Dysart House stands in a field of lavender through summer, and the scent and colour of it is what prompted this bottling. The flowers come from the Port Arthur Lavender Farm, their heads steeped in Old Kempton malt spirit, the same new-make that goes into the casks for whisky, taken before it sees any wood. Sugar sweetens it and butterfly pea flower gives the colour, which shifts under acid the way that flower does. Using the whisky base means the liqueur carries a grainy weight underneath the floral character, which is not how most lavender products behave.

Lavender, obviously, but held in check by malt sweetness and a little vanilla warmth. Pour a splash into sparkling wine, or mix it with the distillery's Embezzler Gin for a lavender-tinted Aviation. Keep it cold: straight from the fridge in a small measure is best.