A howling collaboration

Lark Distilling Co is no stranger to experimentation, and the successful barrel exchange partnership with Victorian brewing company Wolf of the Willows is now in its fourth year. The annual exchange involves the brewers and distillers selecting the right whisky barrels for the brewery. Once selected, they are emptied of whisky and filled with Wolf of the Willow’s Imperial Johnny Smoke Porter. The brewers work their magic on the beer before it’s decanted and returned to Lark for the final step of filling it with single malt whisky. The result? Wolf Release IV. Get this limited release while you can. The Wolf Reserve IV (100ml) $79.99; (500ml) $279.99, larkdistillery.com

The Wolf Release IV is crafted with notes of citrus, toasted coconut and grapefruit, and with a palate of orange syrup, ancient oak, smoked malt, dark chocolate and toffee. $69 (for 4 cans) Lark Barrel-Aged Imperial JSP IV wolfofthewillows.com.au