Oxenham Craft Distillery distillery

Introduction to Oxenham Craft Distillery

A Distillery with a Passion for Craftsmanship

Oxenham Craft Distillery is a boutique Australian distillery nestled in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia. This family-owned operation has quickly earned recognition for its dedication to small-batch spirits production, combining age-old techniques with innovative approaches. Their spirits capture the essence of their surroundings, with locally sourced ingredients that speak to the terroir of the region.

The distillery operates on a principle of sustainability and quality over quantity, ensuring each bottle that leaves their doors represents the pinnacle of their craft. Their careful attention to detail is evident in every aspect of production, from grain selection to bottling.

Why We Have a Soft Spot for Oxenham Craft Distillery

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate Oxenham’s commitment to authenticity and experimentation. Their willingness to push boundaries while respecting traditional methods creates spirits with distinctive character and depth. What truly sets Oxenham apart is their dedication to showcasing Australian native botanicals and local ingredients, creating a true taste of the Adelaide Hills in every sip.

Their hands-on approach means minimal automation and maximum care, resulting in spirits that reflect the passion and artistry of their makers. It’s this dedication to craft that makes their bottles worthy additions to our collection.

The History of Oxenham Craft Distillery

Origins and Development

Oxenham Craft Distillery was established in 2017 by the Oxenham family, who brought with them generations of beverage-making expertise. The family has roots in the wine industry, which informed their approach to spirits production with a focus on fermentation excellence and flavor development.

The distillery began with a vision to create spirits that captured the essence of South Australia, using local grains, fruits, and botanicals. What started as a small operation with a single still has grown into a respected craft distillery with international recognition, yet they’ve maintained their commitment to small-batch quality.

The People Behind It

The distillery remains a family-operated venture, with master distiller David Oxenham leading the production team. His background in wine-making brings a unique perspective to spirits production, particularly in fermentation techniques and maturation processes.

The team at Oxenham embraces the philosophy that great spirits require both technical precision and creative intuition. Each family member contributes their expertise, from botanical selection to barrel management, creating a truly collaborative approach to distillation.

Craftsmanship and Production

From Raw Material to Finished Product

Production at Oxenham begins with carefully sourced local grains, including barley from South Australian farmers and native Australian botanicals hand-foraged or grown in their own gardens. Their copper pot still, affectionately named “Matilda,” is the heart of the operation, allowing for precise cuts and maximum flavor extraction.

Water plays a crucial role in their production, drawn from natural springs in the Adelaide Hills that provide mineral-rich purity to their spirits. The distillery follows a slow fermentation process, allowing natural yeasts to contribute complexity to their wash before distillation.

Maturation and Aging

Oxenham’s whisky undergoes maturation in a variety of casks, including ex-wine barrels from neighboring South Australian wineries, which impart unique characteristics reflecting the region’s viticultural heritage. The varying climate of the Adelaide Hills, with its cool nights and warm days, creates ideal conditions for maturation, accelerating the interaction between spirit and wood.

The distillery also experiments with Australian native wood influences, occasionally using inserts of red gum or jarrah to impart distinctive Australian characteristics to their spirits. Their whisky expressions are typically aged between three to five years, striking a balance between youthful vibrancy and mature complexity.

Selected Products from Oxenham Craft Distillery

Adelaide Hills Single Malt – An Introduction to the Distillery’s Style

This flagship whisky captures the essence of Oxenham’s approach to spirit-making. Matured primarily in ex-Shiraz casks from neighboring vineyards, it offers notes of ripe berries, dark chocolate, vanilla, and subtle eucalyptus. The mouthfeel is rich and velvety, with a finish that balances oak spice with lingering fruit sweetness.

At 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, this expression retains all the natural oils and flavors that make it distinctively Oxenham. It serves as the perfect introduction to their whisky philosophy, showcasing both tradition and Australian innovation.

Native Botanical Series – An Experience for Connoisseurs

For those seeking a truly unique Australian whisky experience, the Native Botanical Series represents Oxenham’s most adventurous creations. These limited releases feature whisky finished in casks that previously held their botanical-infused spirits, imparting subtle layers of wattleseed, lemon myrtle, or mountain pepper.

Each bottle in this series tells a story of Australian terroir, with complex aromatic profiles that evolve dramatically in the glass. Expect unexpected notes of bushland spice, citrus oil, and earthy undertones alongside traditional whisky characteristics – a genuine exploration of what Australian whisky can be.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and Tastings

Oxenham Craft Distillery welcomes visitors to their Adelaide Hills location, offering intimate tours that provide rare insight into small-batch distillation. Tours include a behind-the-scenes look at their production area, explanation of their unique processes, and the opportunity to meet the makers themselves.

The tasting experience features a guided sampling of 4-5 expressions, including limited releases often only available at the distillery. For the full experience, visitors can book a masterclass that includes food pairings highlighting local produce that complements their distinctive spirits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oxenham Craft Distillery?

Oxenham Craft Distillery is a family-owned Australian whisky and spirits producer located in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia. They focus on small-batch production using local ingredients, traditional methods, and innovative maturation techniques to create spirits with a distinct Australian character.

Where is Oxenham Craft Distillery Located?

The distillery is nestled in the picturesque Adelaide Hills of South Australia, a region known for its premium wine production and pristine natural environment. This location provides access to quality local grains, pure spring water, and a climate ideal for spirit maturation.

What Distinguishes Oxenham Craft Distillery?

Oxenham stands out for their integration of wine-making principles into their distillation processes, their use of Australian native botanicals, and their experimentation with local wood influences. Their connection to South Australian wine country is reflected in their frequent use of wine casks for maturation, creating a distinctive regional style.

Where Can I Buy Whisky from Oxenham Craft Distillery?

You can find selected bottles from Oxenham Craft Distillery at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate their most exceptional releases, including both their core range and limited special editions. As their production remains relatively small, these bottles represent a chance to experience one of Australia’s most promising craft distilleries.