Jake Emen reports. This is a rich, cask-strength whisky from Willowbank - a now-silent distillery on New Zealand's South Island. You won't be late with gifting a. This whisky has been aging in American Oak, Ex- Bourbon casks for 25 years. The Otago - 30 Year Old In 1997 the last whisky distillery in New Zealand was closed down, and the hundreds of barrels of Cask Strength whisky auctioned off or mothballed. These aged whiskies all come from stocks that had been made at Willowbank distillery in Dunedin (South Island). As one of only a few commercial distilleries in New Zealand we’re proud to be contributing to the craft distilling movement in our country. The remaining stock is now owned by The New Zealand Whisky Company that stores it in a seaside warehouse in Oamaru and gradually releases it. OUR STORY We started Thomson Whisky the … Today, New Zealand whisky is going stronger than it has in decades. All these whiskies where produced at the Willowbank Distillery on the South Island, but sadly this distillery has now closed since 2000 and some of the bottle below are very rare. Top Auckland Distilleries: See reviews and photos of distilleries in Auckland, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. New Zealand Whisky. Our distillery is in Oakura, just south of New Plymouth, Taranaki – on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Island Gin is a boutique spirit made on one of the southern hemisphere’s most remote Islands, Great Barrier Island New Zealand, 5 hours by barge from Auckland. Copper pot distilled, using locally harvested Island honey with organically certified Macedonian juniper. After it closed down, and the hundreds of barrels of Cask Strength whisky auctioned off or mothballed. For a more potent tipple, visit the South Island's whisky distilleries, including Southern Distilleries Ltd. (tel: (03) 208 9907;www.hokonuiwhiskey.com), reputed to be the world's southernmost distillery, at Timaru. Its stills were sent to Fiji to produce Rum. © Photographic contributors: James Hutchinson, Sait Akkirman, Golden Dawn Tavern of Power, Bedford Soda & Liquor, Peach Pit. It’s an especially fun tour to take with friends, or if you’re celebrating a special occasion. In 2010, we bought the last 80,000 litres in 443 barrels from what had previously been stored in an old airplane hangar. At 40% ABV, this precious drop is only available in 350ml. Whisky and More. Our location plays a big part in how we set up and operate. Should you be interested in exploring New Zealand whisky, start with the following 7 bottles or drams. The new barrels came from the North Island and previously contained New Zealand Pinot and Cab Sauv. More info If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Went with a bunch of ladies for, "oh yes! Need to know: Greg Ramsay started the New Zealand Whisky Company in 2010 (and we reviewed some of its whiskies back in 2012). In 1997 the last New Zealand whisky distillery, Willowbank Distillery -established in 1974 on the South Island of New Zealand by the Baker family- shut down. Founded in 2014, it’s our “spiritual home” and where we mash and distill. After a year of New York-London commutes took their toll, the couple relocated to New Zealand and officially founded the Dancing Sands Distillery in Takaka in Golden Bay, late in 2016. Lovers of good food and drink will enjoy this full-day winery and distillery tour. In 1997 the last New Zealand whisky distillery, Willowbank Distillery -established in 1974 on the South Island of New Zealand by the Baker family- shut down. It was the southerly distillery in the world, producing highly regarded Milford and Lammerlaw Whiskies. This whisky has been aging in American Oak, Ex-Bourbon barrels for 21 years. New Zealand is renowned for its fine wine and craft beer, and now craft spirits are on the rise too. New Zealand distilleries' spirited show in Lonely Planet's Global Distillery Tour 15 May, 2019 06:01 AM 3 minutes to read The New Zealand Whisky … New Zealand whisky evangelists and winemakers Warren and Deb Preston identified Oamaru’s historic Harbour Precinct as an ideal seaside climate for whisky maturation. However a burgeoning number of craft distilleries are determined to put the country back on the world whisky map, and establish a distinctively Kiwi style. Sadly, the Willowbank distillery in Dunedin on the South Island – producer of Lammerlaw single malt – closed in 1997, and its stills were sent to Fiji to produce rum instead. It was the southerly distillery in the world, producing highly regarded Milford and Lammerlaw Whiskies. The whisky now resides in the towering seaside bonds store in Oamaru. 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