1990 The New Zealand Whisky Collection 21 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

Distilled at the famous Willowbank Distillery in Dunedin in the south of New Zealand. The Willowbank Distillery was opened by the Baker family in 1974 after approaches to the New Zealand government allowed more favourable regulations. The Bakers commenced distilling whiskies and marketed blends including Wilsons and 45 South. The large Canadian multi-national Seagrams improved the still and processes after purchasing the distillery in the 1980's, marketing the Single Malts as Lammerlaw, named after a nearby mountain range, the source of the pure water from which the whisky was created. Production ceased in 1997 as Seagrams rationalised their world wide business and the operation was sold to Fosters who mothballed the company in 2000, and sent the silent stills to Fiji to make rum. The New Zealand whisky company purchased the last 600 barrels of mainly Lammerlaw malt and the whisky has been maturing in the towering seaside bondstore in Oamaru's famous heritage precinct ever since.

The 1990 distillate is a 21 year old typified by “Vanilla, fruitcake and floral” notes.

Other reviews... Heady stuff: a crunching thickness to the oakiness but subtle traces of fruit inject levity; no doubting we are taking some serious age here... a curious single malt which reminds me of some of the better rare Irish whiskies uncovered in the late 1980's. The oak treads that fine line between dominance and ruinous intrusiveness with a rare assuredness. 91 points
- Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2014