The Fifth Element | Fortified Grape Spirit with Whisky Cask Influence

Not every hero starts out looking like one.

The Fifth Element was never intended to become a release. Created to protect our whisky casks through the long South Australian summers, this quiet custodian gradually became something extraordinary.

In our historic, un-insulated Railway Goods Shed, distilling follows the seasons. As whisky casks are emptied, they sometimes need to wait months before cooler weather allows them to be refilled. Rather than allowing valuable oak to dry out, we created a blend of fermented grape wine fortified with brandy spirit to keep the casks healthy and hydrated.

Over more than seven years, this liquid quietly travelled from cask to cask, leaving a little behind and taking a little with it. Oak influence. Residual whisky character. Time. Experience.

Like its namesake, this unlikely hero began life with a practical purpose before becoming something entirely unexpected. Too unique to discard and impossible to recreate, The Fifth Element has become part of Fleurieu Distillery's own story.

700ML | 250 Bottles | 31.8% Alc/Vol | 17.6 Standard Drinks

Nose: Bright and inviting, with the familiar warmth of whisky cask influence leading the way. Notes of vanilla, soft oak and gentle spice mingle with lifted fruit and a hint of dried grapes.

Palate: Rich and full-bodied, where the natural sweetness of the fortified grape spirit is beautifully balanced by layers of oak, whisky character and warming spice. Familiar enough to intrigue whisky lovers, yet distinctive enough to carve out a style all its own.

Finish: Long, elegant and gently warming. The sweetness gradually gives way to lingering oak and subtle whisky notes, leaving a remarkably refined and enduring finish.

Neither whisky, nor simply fortified. Entirely its own expression.

Awards

• Gold Medal 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards