New Zealand Whisky

Produced from batches of barley that have been dried over South Island peat smoke, this release from Thomson whisky has a distinctive whiff of earthy smoke, iodine and sweet woody tones. A charred and burnt quality is found throughout, lingering with an edge of ash. One of the only New Zealand whiskies made with peated barley.

This expression from Pokeno rounds off their core range, matured in both first fill ex Bourbon casks as well as a selection of ex New Zealand Red Wine casks from an undisclosed winery. This whisky has notes of mango, grapefruit, strawberry bonbons, lychee and sherbet. The finish is sweet and smooth.

Situated in a remote valley in the South Island of New Zealand, the Cardrona distillery was founded in 2015. This solera release sees ex-Oloroso sherry butts and ex-bourbon barrels married together, offering rich dark fruits and sticky treacle. Bottled at natural cask strength.

Created at the Pokeno distillery in the North Island of New Zealand, this first release of their 'exploration' series sees the first ever use of native Totara casks used for a final maturation period. Matt Johns, founder of Pokeno, describes the whisky as having a creamy coconut note, with sweet scented sap, ripe white peach and freshly cut wood.

Maturing for three years in Virgin French Oak casks, this whisky has balanced notes of Buttery biscuits, crisp green apples and toasted chestnuts.

The second of Cardrona's new Single Cask releases, this outturn was hand bottled from a single ex-Bourbon barrel and cut down to a strength of 52%. A limited release of 277 bottles, there are notes of toasted oats alongside borage honey, along with vanilla bean ice cream and ripe nectarines.  

A new single cask expression from Cardrona, this expression was bottled from a single ex-Oloroso Sherry Butt, and is one of Cardrona's oldest bottlings to date.

There are notes of baked pear tart glazed with maple syrup, stewed rasins and hazelnut nougat along with sticky borage honey.

From Waiheke Island, New Zealand, a masterful blend from Waiheke Single Malts, with a selection of great whiskies from round the world. 

Fairlight takes Waiheke's distinctive older peated single malt and samples this over unpeated whiskies to showcase innovation and tradition  

Delicate florals, gentle wafts of peat smoke on the nose, followed by hints of heather, honey and vanilla, subtle spice, sweet malt and caramel, ripe apples and pears on the palate. layers of earthy smoke with note of oak and ocean breeze, dried fruit and a whisper of dark chocolate gives a final flourish.  

crafted on the subtropical Waiheke Island, this expression has been distilled with New Zealand peated malt from Gladfields. It has been double matured in a selection of STR American Oak barrels and first fill ex-Bourbon Barrels. There are floral notes of jasmine and liquorice root, along with gentle spice, sweet ripe fruits and gentle peat smoke. This expression is a wonderful introduction to New Zealand peat, which differs greatly to peat hailing from Scotland.

Created on the beautiful Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, this kiwi single malt was matured in ex-white wine casks and then finished in ex-bourbon barrels. Sweet and malty with orange peel and honeycomb, with nutty clove and vanilla coming through.

This expression from Thomson is a blend of Thomson's own New Zealand Whisky, as well as hand selected imported Whisky, which is then married and aged further in Thomson's own casks. Two Tone refers to the 2 kinds of cask used for the maturation of this Thomson whisky - European oak which formerly held New Zealand red wine, and American white oak used exclusively for whisky. 

Subtle notes of sea spray can be found on the nose, along with caramelised fruits, which is followed by a palate of abundant sweet fruity notes and light baking spice.

Distilled at the Thomson whisky distillery in Auckland, this progress report bottling represents one of the few examples of Manuka smoked barley spirit produced in New Zealand. Made from Canterbury-grown barley that has been dried with the perfumed smoke of the Manuka shrub, this bottling has a balanced smokyness that evokes clove and cinnamon spice and a distinctive Manuka oil aroma.

One of the newest on the New Zealand Whisky scene. Pokeno distillery, nestled just outside the small Waikato town of the same name has quickly gained traction both here and abroad. Part of their core release range, the 'Origin' has been distilled using only local New Zealand malted barley, and  exclusively aged in first fill ex Bourbon casks. Bottled at 43% the result is an exceptionally smooth Whisky, perfect for those who are newcomers to the spirit, or indeed those who really enjoy their whisky. 

There are notes of sweet honey, caramel and creamy toffee notes, which give way to juicy citrus and grapefruit, with a sweet, smooth lingering finish.

The second of Pokeno's three part core range, the 'Discovery' is a combination of spirit that has been matured in a combination of first fill Bourbon casks, as well as both first fill ex Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso Sherry casks before being finally married together. 

The result is a deeper, richer expression, brimmed with notes of dark chocolate and black forest gateau, with ripened cherries and rich dark fruits. The finish is rich and incredibly smooth and long lasting. 

Made from three hand-selected casks, an ex Olorosso butt, ex Bourbon barrel and an ex Pinot Noir barrique, this whisky has been bottled at 52%. Notes of burnt toffee, vanilla cream, nectarines and gentle pepper can be found in this whisky. Limited to 1340 bottles.

This single cask expression from Pokeno Distillery has been aged in Sunshine Brewing Full Barrel Ale casks. It has a nose of sweet citrus, treacle toffee, butterscotch and toblerone. On the palate, one will find flavours of citrus, caramel, fudge and milk chocolate pudding followed by a long sweet finish.