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New Zealand Whisky
![Cardrona Distillery Growing Wings Solera Cask Strength Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (375ml)]()
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Cardrona Distillery Growing Wings Solera Cask Strength Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (375ml)NEW ZEALAND$135. 00Bottle$1620.00 DozenABV: 64.9%A follow up to the 2019 Just Hatched inaugural release, Growing Wings spent five years, one day in ex-Oloroso Sherry butts and ex-bourbon barrels, marking the five-year anniversary of the first spirit laid down at Cardrona. It's very good whisky on its way to becoming great whisky, defined by a creamy nose feel that includes dried fruits and sweet roasted nuts, countered by hints of white pepper and lemon zest. The palate resonates in similar fashion; nicely weighted with vanilla, honey and cream sponge cake on entry followed by a thrust of spice and delicate astringency, the sugars rebounding late. Adding water accents a balsa wood and spice character, but it isn't necessary - this is approachable uncut and rounds out further after air contact. Founded by former farmer, Desiree Reid following two years of research and tutelage from the likes of influential US Master Distiller, Dave Pickerell, Cardrona continue to produce just a barrel a day. Dunedin born and bred Sarah Elsom has now taken on the role of Master Distiller. 64.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... This is a quite extraordinary whisky for a distillery so new...whichever part of the world you may find it. 95.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
![Pokeno Single Cask Virgin Cask Finish Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
Pokeno Single Cask Virgin Cask Finish Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$180. 00Bottle$2160.00 DozenABV: 46%After a full maturation in a first-fill bourbon barrel, Pokeno have re-racked this edition into a virgin oak cask, built to specification using 36 month air-dried American oak. A light toast and char has enhanced the distillery's classic citrus and vanilla notes, adding hints of shortbread, toasted caramel and cocoa. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
![Pokeno Exploration Series No. 02 Winter Malt Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
Pokeno Exploration Series No. 02 Winter Malt Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenABV: 48%Pokeno's Winter Edition was inspired by a unique selection of New Zealand malts: Manuka Smoked Malt, from a tree indigenous to New Zealand, offering a smooth, sweet smokiness; Chocolate Roasted Malt: Custom roasted to deliver a lovely coffee and chocolate aroma; Toffee Malt: roasted at very low temperatures and then caramelised to contribute honey and toffee flavours, and finally, the very sweet and floral Laureate Distiller's Malt: The combination was then aged in first-fill bourbon barrels before bottling as No.2 in the Exploration Series. 48% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... On the nose there is sweet honied smoke, chocolate caramel slice, vanilla bean and toffee. In the mouth notes of bitter dark chocolate and cocoa beans, mingle beautifully with creamy fudge, for a long, sweet and smoky finish.
![Pokeno Exploration Series No. 03 Triple Distilled Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
Pokeno Exploration Series No. 03 Triple Distilled Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$150. 00Bottle$1800.00 DozenABV: 49%Fans of Irish whiskies will be familiar with the results of triple distillation. It helps to concentrate alcohol, but also helps to create lighter, more fruity flavours. Pokeno's new make is already incredibly sweet and smooth due to an extremely slow distillation which allows the maximum amount of reflux. Having only two stills, they performed two additional distillations in their 3600 litre still, each time taking a very small heart cut (approximately 20% of the run). These further distillations have "pushed the profile to the next level", while maturation in A-grade, first-fill bourbon barrels has capped off a wonderfully smooth, sweet and honeyed malt. For some tasters, this will be the pinnacle of the Exploration Series. 49% Alc./Vol.
Notes from the producers... On the nose there is rich honey and vanilla with hints of citrus and toffee. In the mouth rich vanilla bean and butterscotch mingle with notes of sweet citrus and a hint of pepper clove. There is a long rich finish.
![Pokeno Exploration Series No. 01 Totara Cask Finish Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
Pokeno Exploration Series No. 01 Totara Cask Finish Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$180. 00Bottle$2160.00 DozenABV: 46%New releases from Pokeno in the North Island of New Zealand have arrived. Already sold out at the distillery, this bottling represents the first in the 'Exploration' series and introduces the native Totara wood, the indigenous tree of Aotearoa. Historically, its hard, straight-grained timber has been used to build homes, carvings, weapons and containers for storing food. When used for maturing whisky, it imparts sweet, creamy notes. The team at Pokeno opted for 200 litre barrels that received a light toast and char. After maturation in first-fill bourbon casks, the whisky was finished in the Totara wood. Founder, Matt Johns describes the result as having a creamy coconut note with sweet-scented sap, ripe white peach and freshly cut wood. 46% Alc./Vol.
![Pokeno Single Cask PX Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
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Pokeno Single Cask PX Sherry Cask Finish Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$180. 00Bottle$2160.00 DozenABV: 46%This single cask offering from Pokeno comes in at a slightly higher ABV than the three core bottlings. After a full maturation in a first fill bourbon barrel, the whiskey was re-racked into a PX sherry butt from Miguel Martin for a period of 6 months. Expect rich notes of ripe cherries, Christmas cake and dark chocolate combined with hints of sweet citrus and vanilla. From an outturn of 880 bottles. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.
Other reviews... This will be one of the better PX finishes I encounter this year. And for a three year old, I doubt if I'll experience better. 92 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
![Pokeno Origin Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
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Pokeno Origin Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 43%The New Zealand scene has gone from just one distillery that closed in 1997 (Willowbank in Dunedin) to over ten small-scale and craft distillers. One new venture, nestled amongst the volcanic mountains and misty valleys of the Waikato region is a family-owned and operated passion project aiming to distill in the style of the finest Speyside malts. And with decades of whisky industry experience, Matthew Johns, who has been associated with some of the biggest names in the world of single malts has Pokeno right on track. Founded in 2017, it is already the largest single malt distillery in the country, handling all aspects of production on-site, including maturation and bottling. It even has its own cooperage. According to some tasters, what's coming out of barrel now resembles Japanese whisky, showing more delicacy than most Scotch, and zero peat. Four whiskies make up the current range. 'Origin' comes aged in ex-bourbon casks, making for a pure, light, breezy, well-rounded whisky with hints of honey drizzled fruits (think dried pear or cantaloupe), followed by suggestions of honey, cream and coconut chocolate through the medium-long finish. 43% Alc./vol. Non-chill filtered.
Other reviews... A nose of cereal bars, honey, flatbread crackers, peppercorn, cinnamon, shelled almonds, and dried grasses. It’s rounded, with good weight and texture, delivering honey, vanilla, apricot, light citrus, fudge, peppercorn, cinnamon, and oak char, with an actively spicy finish. Well-made and a great introductory malt, but this flavor profile positions it in pretty crowded territory, up against numerous similar-tasting bourbon cask-matured single malts. 88 points - whiskyadvocate.com
...most impressive is the cleanliness of the malt; this has been beautifully and carefully made. 92.5 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
...Matured in first-fill bourbon barrels. No age statements. A refreshing single malt, it could easily pass for a bourbon barrel-aged Scotch. Light, buttery grains and a pinch of citrus are evident on the fresh nose, and the same follow through on the palate. Almost coming across like a shortbread cookie, the creamy whisky showcases a slightly nutty character that evokes nougat, almond butter, coconut, and again some lemon extract, filtering into the finish. Bright as sunshine, it’s a perfect (if uncomplicated) aperitif. - drinkhacker.com
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Milford 20 Year Old Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (750ml)Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND$350. 00Bottle$4200.00 DozenABV: 43%A New Zealand Whisky from the Willowbank Distillery in Dunedin on the South Island. This venture closed its doors in 1999. Various age statements received promising reviews over the years, from the likes of Jim Murray. Older expressions have been compared to malts from the Scottish Lowlands.
New Zealand liquid history. One only to sell. Other reviews... This is from the stock of aged Willowbank whisky that was marketed under the Milford label before ending up as whisky from Thomson. You following this? It’s sweet, with an attractive soft melon center, but sharp pepper kicks in and coats the mouth, staying forever.
80 points - www.maltadvocate.com, reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow (Summer 2011)![Pokeno Revelation Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
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Pokeno Revelation Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenABV: 43%Five years since the first foundations were placed for its state-of-the-art distillery, Pokeno have launched four new whiskies. Free from the volume pressures that larger-scale, big-brand producers face, founder Matthew Johns and head distiller, Rohan McGowan revel in the ability to experiment with long ferments and slow distillations in order to extract the maximum body and flavour from the barley, which they source from three family-owned farms in the South Island. “As an independent distillery, and a small team passionate about our craft, we’re entirely driven by quality, not volume; on doing things our way, not the easy way – with no compromise on any part of the process,” says Johns.
Revelation is fully matured in first-fill bourbon and New Zealand Red Wine casks from one of the distiller's favourite wineries. It's a sweet and smooth whisky that comes with beautiful notes of mango, grapefruit, strawberry bonbons, lychee and sherbet, which combine for a sweet and smooth taste of summer. 43% Alc./Vol.
Other reviews... youthful but this has weight and something to say; where the barley is lightly honied yet bold, the fruit is dry and lightly spiced, not unlike drying grape skin. 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
![Pokeno Discovery Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)]()
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Pokeno Discovery Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$110. 00Bottle$1320.00 DozenABV: 43%Other reviews... A blend of whiskies fully matured in first-fill bourbon, oloroso sherry, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, all mingled after aging (no age stated). The flipside of the bourbon-barreled expression, with the impact of sherry firmly evident. The blend of oloroso and PX — alongside the bourbon barrels — makes for some added complexity, albeit less clarity. The sherry isn’t as sharp on the nose or the palate as you might expect — particularly with PX in the mix — leading to both aromatics and flavors of Eastern spices, fresh leather, and a pecan note. The finish is surprisingly mild, acknowledging the sherry influence only modestly. Mostly, it’s the citrus that’s endemic to sherry aging that is more muted here than I expected, though that’s not altogether a bad thing. Still, I was expecting to see more power out of this bottling. I sipped on the Origin expression for quite a bit longer. 43% Alc./Vol. - drinkhacker.com
...The malt is young, the tannins are feisty, and the fruit is thick... 89 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024
![The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 30 Year Old "The Otago" Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (350ml)]()
The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 30 Year Old "The Otago" Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (350ml)Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND$350. 00Bottle$4200.00 DozenABV: 51.1%"Proof that the country in which a whisky is made is totally irrelevant...Great whisky is great whisky".
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.
Notes from the owners....
Scotland, Ireland, and Japan have matured single malt to 30 years and beyond in recent years, now New Zealand is only the 4th nation to release a Single Malt Whisky with the benefit of three decades in American Oak.
This precious liquid began in the rich soils and barley fields of North Otago. After massaging at the hands of proud Maltexo maltsters, Dunedin’s distilling team married the snowmelt waters into the ‘uisga beatha’ (Water of Life). They let their copper stills work magic on the vapours, before laying down the recaptured liquids, to rest and quietly mature in American Oak barrels.
Since 1987, The Otago Commemorative Cask has been softly sweetening into the syrupy and silky flavours of rich malt, divine fruit and a buttery mouth-feel that leaves lasting flavours of the South Island. In their 30 years, these barrels have journeyed from Willowbank in North Dunedin, to further maturation in the Taieri Valley, before an enlightened relocation to enjoy the seaside influence of Oamaru’s crashing coastline.![The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 23 Year Old Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (500ml)]()
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The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 23 Year Old Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (500ml)Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND$250. 00Bottle$3000.00 DozenABV: 40%"Proof that the country in which a whisky is made is totally irrelevant...Great whisky is great whisky".
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.
Other reviews....
...beautifully soft and welcoming on the palate...a slightly stuttering malt, but no off notes and when it does click it does so quite beautifully.
92 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2017![The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 25 Year Old Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (350ml)]()
The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 25 Year Old Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (350ml)Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND$225. 00Bottle$2700.00 DozenABV: 40%"Proof that the country in which a whisky is made is totally irrelevant...Great whisky is great whisky".
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.
Other reviews....
Wow! This malt has taken a surprising direction in the 25 years since it was made... This has opened and thinned out with a big vanilla input while the oak has kept a discreet distance.
85.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2017![156486133_1.jpg]()
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The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 21 Year Old Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)Dunedin, NEW ZEALANDReduced from $599.00$399. 00Bottle$4788.00 DozenABV: 40%"Proof that the country in which a whisky is made is totally irrelevant...Great whisky is great whisky".
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. This is the company's flagship Single Malt Whisky marking the re-birth of Single Malt Whisky for the New Zealand Whisky company. Maturation took place in ex-bourbon barrels. Other reviews... If someone asked me how I would like my 21 Year Old non peated malt to come to me, it would probably be something like this... Proof that the country in which a whisky is made is totally irrelevant...Great whisky is great whisky. End of.... 95 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2014 ...This is fine as far as it goes—until you see the price tag. Nor is it as good as the Rugby World Cup 16 year old Vindication bottling. 81 points - www.maltadvocate.com (Vol. 21, #3) Reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow![1238601680611_1.jpg]()
Thomson South Island Peat Progress Report Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (700ml)NEW ZEALAND$99. 99Bottle$1199.88 DozenABV: 46%Thomson started as an independent New Zealand whisky company with a small amount of stock originally distilled at the Willowbank distillery. This one's from their own distillery and made using South Island peat. It's youthful, with a touch of iodine, smoke and sweet vanillas. Other reviews....
Bronze New Zealand Whisky Awards 2018
Silver Outstanding medal winner IWSC UK 2017
Gold Medal winner San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2016
