3SOULS: THE STORY
The 3Souls are Viano, Craig and Paul, and we came together to form Whisky Australia Pty. Ltd. in 2013. The three of us have a long relationship with malt whisky and, like the rest of the worldwide whisky community, we each have a unique tall story to tell.
We had been individually contemplating, for some time, getting more involved in the industry, but like most people, we had strengths and weaknesses and it all seemed like a dream. The catalyst that helped bring us together, to combine our strengths, was the inimitable Ian Schmidt from the then-Southern Coast Distillery. Ian also provided us with our first 3 barrels – a different one selected by each Soul – and we have the pleasure of sharing these first three batches on our web-store for you to enjoy.
The 3 lost souls have thus become the not-quite-so-lost 3Souls (we are still trying to understand why Ian thinks our label should have an “R” in the middle).
We have a number of casks from other artisan Australian distillers quietly maturing and waiting for their own chance to shine, when their time comes. Don't worry, we keep checking up on them, so that we bottle them when they're just right.
Why not join our mailing list, so that we can let you know when our upcoming batches will be released? We'd love you to become a soulmate of ours and join us in our Australian whisky adventure.
WHISKY & ME: CRAIG
First and foremost my engagement with malt whisky is as a social experience. Ever since I first attended an Earls of Zetland Malt Tasting Club in September 1991 I’ve always thought that the greatest malt whisky adventures were those you shared with other likeminded souls. A desire to share whisky experiences drove my involvement with international internet collectives such as PLOWED and the Malt Maniacs and led to such memorable adventures as the inaugural Ardbeggedon in Las Vegas in January 2000 and joining up with fellow malt maniacs for a week in Speyside in 2003 and again in 2012.
Even the creation of the Malt Whisky Society of Australia was motivated by a desire to connect with fellow whisky tragics from around Australia and the region. The first Convention in 2003 grew organically out of the fact that six malt whisky fans in Adelaide felt that their passion had outgrown the club scene and wanted to taste more exotic malt whiskies. A chance email along the lines of “if there are six of us in Adelaide who want to explore whiskies further, there must be others around Australia who feel the same way.” Thus the Society and the Convention were born.
What the Society and Convention really tells you about my modus operandi is that I might come up with some bright ideas but I’m not arrogant enough to think that I could achieve such feats on my own. I also prefer working in a collegial and collective way. Belonging to a group instills a certain discipline and you’re actually responsible to others, not just yourself, and no-one can be flippant about “deadlines sailing past”.
Remember, the best whisky adventures are those that are shared with like-minded souls.
First and foremost my engagement with malt whisky is as a social experience. Ever since I first attended an Earls of Zetland Malt Tasting Club in September 1991 I’ve always thought that the greatest malt whisky adventures were those you shared with other likeminded souls. A desire to share whisky experiences drove my involvement with international internet collectives such as PLOWED and the Malt Maniacs and led to such memorable adventures as the inaugural Ardbeggedon in Las Vegas in January 2000 and joining up with fellow malt maniacs for a week in Speyside in 2003 and again in 2012.
Even the creation of the Malt Whisky Society of Australia was motivated by a desire to connect with fellow whisky tragics from around Australia and the region. The first Convention in 2003 grew organically out of the fact that six malt whisky fans in Adelaide felt that their passion had outgrown the club scene and wanted to taste more exotic malt whiskies. A chance email along the lines of “if there are six of us in Adelaide who want to explore whiskies further, there must be others around Australia who feel the same way.” Thus the Society and the Convention were born.
What the Society and Convention really tells you about my modus operandi is that I might come up with some bright ideas but I’m not arrogant enough to think that I could achieve such feats on my own. I also prefer working in a collegial and collective way. Belonging to a group instills a certain discipline and you’re actually responsible to others, not just yourself, and no-one can be flippant about “deadlines sailing past”.
Remember, the best whisky adventures are those that are shared with like-minded souls.
WHISKY & ME: PAUL
Whisky is in my blood – maybe I should drink less often! I became a malt whisky tragic in my late twenties while exploring for gold in the Scottish Highlands – in a few months we got through most of the single malts that were then available. These were the days when, among others, Port Ellen, Brora and Rosebank were about the same price as a Johnnie Walker Red and Coke.
To me, whisky is more than just the most versatile, complex and enjoyable drink in the world – it’s part of a rich and varied culture, just as intriguing and exciting as the drink itself. I’m fascinated by how whisky developed as a drink, the history of whisky and the philosophy of the people who turned it into the iconic drink that it is today. Whisky also has a much closer link to the land – its climate, soil and geology – than any other drink, and my passion is to understand that link.
I’m very happy to be involved in the Australian whisky industry, trying to discover and share the best of what this country can offer, and hopefully see it become a much bigger industry. We already have characters and legends who have gone a long way to make this happen.
Whisky is in my blood – maybe I should drink less often! I became a malt whisky tragic in my late twenties while exploring for gold in the Scottish Highlands – in a few months we got through most of the single malts that were then available. These were the days when, among others, Port Ellen, Brora and Rosebank were about the same price as a Johnnie Walker Red and Coke.
To me, whisky is more than just the most versatile, complex and enjoyable drink in the world – it’s part of a rich and varied culture, just as intriguing and exciting as the drink itself. I’m fascinated by how whisky developed as a drink, the history of whisky and the philosophy of the people who turned it into the iconic drink that it is today. Whisky also has a much closer link to the land – its climate, soil and geology – than any other drink, and my passion is to understand that link.
I’m very happy to be involved in the Australian whisky industry, trying to discover and share the best of what this country can offer, and hopefully see it become a much bigger industry. We already have characters and legends who have gone a long way to make this happen.
WHISKY & ME: VIANO
As the young son of “New Australians,” it was home-made grappa, vodka and slivovitz that introduced me to what our family knew as “aqua vita,” the “water of life.” I discovered that every community and every culture had its own variation on this theme. The very idea of distillation, to uncover the “essence,” or the “spirit” of a substance, always intrigued me. And I loved the home-made family stills that were always hidden in a shed, out of view. To spy one was to be let into a family secret and to join an adult world.
When I got introduced to single malt whisky, it was like a light had been switched on for me. The sheer variety and diversity of the flavours astonished me, and started me on a journey of discovery that continues to this day.
I’m a proud Australian and feel blessed that my parents, out of the wreckage of a war-torn Europe, settled here. And so I’m passionate about Australian whisky. Our land produces magnificent grain and we have very skillful producers. We already produce world-leading wines and beers. Our whiskies are becoming recognised in the same way.
How cool that I get to be part of that?
As the young son of “New Australians,” it was home-made grappa, vodka and slivovitz that introduced me to what our family knew as “aqua vita,” the “water of life.” I discovered that every community and every culture had its own variation on this theme. The very idea of distillation, to uncover the “essence,” or the “spirit” of a substance, always intrigued me. And I loved the home-made family stills that were always hidden in a shed, out of view. To spy one was to be let into a family secret and to join an adult world.
When I got introduced to single malt whisky, it was like a light had been switched on for me. The sheer variety and diversity of the flavours astonished me, and started me on a journey of discovery that continues to this day.
I’m a proud Australian and feel blessed that my parents, out of the wreckage of a war-torn Europe, settled here. And so I’m passionate about Australian whisky. Our land produces magnificent grain and we have very skillful producers. We already produce world-leading wines and beers. Our whiskies are becoming recognised in the same way.
How cool that I get to be part of that?