The New Zealand Whisky Collection Double Wood 10 Year Old Blended Whisky (750ml)

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 business 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 blend of 70% single malt whisky and 30% grain whisky was aged for 6 years in American Oak, and finished for 4 more in French Oak, ex-red wine barrels

Tasting note: Faded copper appearance is slightly hazy. A full, rounded, semi sweet bouquet comes off raisiny and oaky followed by fruit and nut breakfast cereals. Soft, moderately spicy and medium sweet; plenty of dried fruit by mid palate including a suggestion of dried banana. Spicy vanilla oak. Well rounded and balanced. Finishes more textural with hints of fine grained wine tannin, sweet cereals and vanilla. Shows good persistence. This is not only collectable, but a decent dram to boot! 40% Alc./Vol.