Drinksbiz Magazine February March 2022

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 DRINKSBIZ.CO.NZ

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

16 YEARS AND FOREVER YOUNG AT HEART. DISCOVER A LEGACY IN THE MAKING.

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

FROM THE EDITOR

Victoria Wells

Editor – Drinksbiz victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz

The calm before the storm

BY THE time you read this, there’s a very good chance we’re going to be in the thick of the Omicron outbreak, with thousands of confirmed cases and thousands more close contacts selfisolating as well.

As we get this issue of Drinksbiz ready for print in very early February, the predicted scale of the outbreak still seems difficult to comprehend – daily case numbers are still hovering around 100 at the moment, so there’s almost a sense of calm before the storm.

But the clouds are definitely gathering, and there has been a cascade of event

cancellations and postponements in recent days. It’s heartbreaking for those who have worked so hard to put these events together – especially with many already postponed from last year – and for those stallholders and companies hoping for a much-needed financial boost from the summer crowds.

With the nationwide shift to 'Red' in late January, the key concern for businesses now is exactly how to manage the inevitable disruption from what lies ahead. Some hospitality businesses are already reporting fewer customers, and then there are the issues of staffing, and

With the nationwide shift to ‘Red’, the key concern for businesses now is exactly how to manage the inevitable disruption from what lies ahead.

continued pressure on supply chains.

But if we can ride out the coming weeks, then the experience of other countries’ Omicron outbreaks shows us that life will get back to the sort of ‘normal’ to which we’ve become accustomed with COVID. And so, with that in mind, what will the rest of 2022 hold? We’ve gathered a few predictions (including some of our own) in the feature ‘The shape of 2022’ on page 22.

And, on a positive note, if the past two years have shown us anything, it’s that consumers will continue to stock their home bars, and that dining out and catching up with friends over a drink at the local will once again be high on the priority list for Kiwis.

Enjoy the issue, Victoria.

My picks 2021 Opawa Sauvignon Blanc

I love the new labels on the Opawa range and their Sauvignon Blancs are always a go-to. Zesty, tropical, succulent and everything that’s great about Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. (Page 33) 8-Wired A Fistful of Raspberries

This barrel-aged Belgian-style sour from 8-Wired is summer with a twist. It’s chocka with luscious raspberries and packs a delectable sour hit. (Page 52) Starward UnExPeated Single Malt Whisky

Scotland meets Australia in this lip-smacking release from Melbourne distillery Starward. Their aged Australian single malt is finished in barrels from Islay that have held heavily peated whisky, for a match made in heaven. (Page 82)

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 3

CONTENTS

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

PUBLISHER

Karen Boult karen@boult.co.nz +64 21 320 663 EDITOR

Victoria Wells victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz +64 27 575 9021 DESIGNER

Lewis Hurst lewis@hurstmedia.nz +64 21 146 6404 hurstmedia.nz A DV E R T I S I N G

22

Roger Pierce advertising@drinksbiz.co.nz +64 274 335 354 drinksbiz.co.nz

BEER & CIDER

REGULARS

Out & About

6

Diary Dates

8

Cover story: The Ned

10

Industry News

12

International News

19

Feature: The shape of 2022 22 Legal Notes

26

RTD News

28

50 Beer & Cider Report

50

Opinion: Michael Donaldson 56 WINE

Beer & Cider News

58 Associate Member (NZ)

SPIRITS

Drinksbiz is published every second month by Trade Media Limited, 300 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand.

30

The contents of Drinksbiz

Wine Report: Sauvignon Blanc

30

Opinion: Joelle Thomson

38

Top Picks

40

Wine News

42

are copyright and may

62

not be reproduced in any form without the written

Spirits Report: Bourbon & Whiskey

60

permission of the publisher.

Opinion: Dominic Roskrow 86

Please address all editorial,

Spirits News

subscription and advertising

88

enquiries to Trade Media Limited, P O Box 37745,

LAST ORDERS

Distributors 4 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Parnell, Auckland.

94

HAPPENINGS

Out & About The luxury of The Macallan Double Cask Hancocks Wine, Spirits & Beer Merchants hosted drinks media in Auckland for a very special tasting of The Macallan Double Cask with brand ambassador Kenny Ariaens in late 2021.

Guests enjoyed three courses prepared by chef Des Harris and matched with the whiskies in the luxurious surrounds of Cocoon House in Freemans Bay. Photographic works depicting the creation of The Macallan casks, by renowned photographer Steve McCurry, were also on display.

Sam Jimmieson, Kenny Ariaens and Luke Seeney of Hancocks

Chef Des Harris greets guests at Cocoon House The Macallan Brand Ambassador Kenny Ariaens

6 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Photographic works by Steve McCurry

COMING 2022.

MARCH

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. JACK DANIEL’S IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK. ©2021 JACK DANIEL’S. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. HANCOCKS WINE, SPIRIT & BEER MERCHANTS, 1-78 TIDAL ROAD, MANGERE, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.

WHAT’S ON

Diary Dates

New Zealand’s shift to ‘Red’ under the traffic light system due to the Omicron outbreak has affected events around the country. As Drinksbiz went to print, many were yet to confirm their plans. Events may therefore be subject to change. While details were correct at time of print, we recommend checking individual event websites for the latest updates.

CANCELLED Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival 2021 Organisers say planning continues for the 2022 Festival in October. dunedinbeerfest.co.nz

NZ Cider Festival 2021 – Hawke’s Bay Organisers say they are now working towards the 2022 Festival in November in Nelson. nzciderfestival.com

South Island Wine & Food Festival – Christchurch Next festival scheduled for 3 December 2022. winefestival.co.nz

UPCOMING SCHEDULED EVENTS

POSTPONED

MARCH

DramFest – Christchurch

Friday 18 – Saturday 20 March

A new date for the 8th biennial whisky festival is yet to be announced. dramfest.co.nz

The Food Show – Chch New Zealand’s biggest consumer food and beverage event will be at Christchurch Arena for three days. Exhibitor info at hub.xpo.co.nz foodshow.co.nz APRIL

Saturday 23 April

Whitehaven GrapeRide - Marlborough A popular bike ride in Renwick with course length options. graperide.co.nz Saturday 30 April – Sunday 1 May

The Great NZ Food Show – Hamilton A consumer show dedicated to the latest in food and beverages, with masterclasses and more. For exhibitor details email info@coreevents.co.nz greatnzfoodshow.co.nz MAY

Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 May

Wellington Wine and Food Festival New date: Saturday 10 December. wineandfoodfestival.co.nz

UPDATE PENDING Saturday 19 February

Gindulgence – Napier gindulgence.co.nz Saturday 5 March

Beers in the Park – Auckland beersinthepark.co.nz Saturday 5 March

Gincredible – Tauranga A boutique festival of craft gin, masterclasses, food and live music. bopginfestival.co.nz

Winetopia – Auckland A consumer wine tasting event to be held at Shed 10 in downtown Auckland. Exhibitor info at lemongrassproductions.co.nz winetopia.co.nz

Saturday 26 March

Marchfest – Nelson marchfest.com

Stay up-to-date at drinksbiz.co.nz Visit drinksbiz.co.nz for all the latest local drinks industry and product news and sign up for the fortnightly Drinksbiz e-newsletter.

8 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

100-TIME AWARD-WINNING RYE WHISKEY With a meticulous focus on quality, our team of distillers crafts our Maryland-style Straight Rye Whiskey with a nod to both tradition and innovation. Our whiskies are a blend of two individual rye mash bills, resulting in an exceptionally balanced final product with notes of baking spice, vanilla, and candied orange peel.

Let’s forge a new path toward the future of American Whiskey.

Exclusively Distributed by Whisky Galore New Zealand’s Premier Supplier

SAGA MOR E SPIR IT | SAGAM ORES PI RI T.COM | @SAGAM ORES PI RI T WHISKY GA LOR E | TRA D E@ WHI S KYGALORE .CO.NZ | 08 00 (W HIS KY ) 94 4 759 SAVOUR OUR SPIRIT RESPONSIBLY. © SAGAMORE WHISKEY, LLC. BALTIMORE, MD 21230. SAGAMORE SPIRIT ® STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY, BOTTLED AT 41.5% ABV (83 PROOF).

COVER STORY: THE NED

Let go and feel The Ned Freedom, friendship and good times are at the heart of a new campaign from The Ned…

THE NED is launching a major new advertising campaign designed to evoke the youthful essence of the cult New Zealand wine brand and its special home in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley.

Entitled, ‘Let Go and Feel The Ned’, the campaign aims to introduce a wider audience to The Ned and its popular range of wines by highlighting the joy that comes with special moments, special places, and time with friends.

It was shot in mid-January in the Waihopai Valley and will run across print, outdoors and online from February.

Part of the Marisco Vineyards portfolio, The Ned is enjoying strong market positioning in New Zealand as 2022 gets underway. The Ned had the #1 Rosé and the #1 Pinot Gris in the total wine 10 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

category for the last quarter and The Ned Sauvignon Blanc was #2 in $14-$181. The Ned was the only wine brand to have three wines in the Top Six wines for the last quarter and the only wine producer with more than one in the Top 10 (MAT) 2.

General Manager Sales & Marketing for Marisco Vineyards, Siobhan Wilson, says that while The Ned has grown a loyal following domestically and internationally through strong word of mouth, they are aiming to extend its reach with the new campaign.

“Those who know The Ned rate it highly,” says Wilson. “They enjoy working their way through our varietals as their ‘go to’ brand. But we know that there are still many who haven’t yet tried it, and we’re hoping to help our retailers extend

penetration and tap into available sales with this new campaign that celebrates the very essence of The Ned.” Feedback from consumers who know and enjoy the brand helped to inspire the campaign’s approach. Research showed that they were drawn to The Ned’s “young at heart” ethos and associated it with feelings of freedom, friendship and good times, as well as the specialness of the Waihopai area within Marlborough.

“For us, this echoed the many special occasions we have shared with guests, friends, reps and buyers at our very own River Hut on the edge of the Waihopai River, nestled amongst our vineyards,” says Wilson.

Working with creative agency The Enthusiasts, the team at Marisco Vineyards

COVER STORY: THE NED

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

LET GO AND FEEL

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

LET GO AND FEEL

“We’re hoping to help our retailers extend penetration and tap into available sales with this new campaign that celebrates the very essence of The Ned.” – Siobhan Wilson – GM Sales & Marketing, Marisco Vineyards designed the campaign to capture and share those feelings of The Ned’s home.

The creative features evocative imagery of people at the River Hut and in The Ned’s vineyards, enjoying the company of others, sharing great food and wine.

“We want to help transport people to their special place, getting lost in the perfect moment, with great food and the best of friends – removed from the pressures of reality,” says Wilson. “After what 2020 and 2021 have served up, we think we could all do with a bit of that!”

Founder of The Ned, Brent Marris, with wife Rosemary (second left) and daughters Claudia, Olivia, Emma and Georgia. Photographed at the Benmorven vineyard with The Ned in the background.

1 NIELSEN SCAN W/E/ 16/01/2022, PERIOD: LAST QTR, TOTAL WINE (EXCL SPARKLING AND CONVENIENCE), L4L TOTAL MARKET 2 NIELSEN SCAN W/E/ 16/01/2022, PERIOD: MAT, TOTAL WINE (EXCL SPARKLING AND CONVENIENCE), L4L TOTAL MARKET

The Ned BORN OF the Waihopai Valley and named for one of Marlborough’s famous peaks, The Ned represents the vibrant diversity of this winegrowing region.

• The Ned Sauvignon Blanc RRP $19.99 • The Ned Pinot Gris RRP $19.99 • The Ned Rosé RRP $19.99 • The Ned Chardonnay RRP $19.99 • The Ned Pinot Noir RRP $24.99 • The Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc RRP $24.99 The Ned is distributed by Lion NZ. marisco.co.nz

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

New global ambassador for Reefton Distilling

REEFTON DISTILLING Co. has appointed Jason Clark to the newly created role of Global Brand Ambassador for the West Coast craft spirits company.

Clark has over 20 years’ experience in hospitality, working in a variety of GM, marketing and luxury spirit ambassador roles, and has a passion for educating trade and consumers through designing creative solutions and programmes to drive brand awareness, raise profiles and accelerate sales growth through unique event activations.

Founder and Chief Executive Patsy Bass said: “The appointment of Jason confirms our commitment to ensuring we drive trade and consumer engagement, through the pursuit of education, while providing unique and authentic brand experiences.”

Clark was due to return to New Zealand in January after seven years in the UAE and UK working with some of the most admired brands in the luxury spirits category.

Reefton Distilling’s range includes award-winning Little Biddy Gin and Wild Rain Vodka, as well as tayberry and blueberry liqueurs.

The company says it is in a growth phase and is building capacity at a senior level, investing in the expansion of the domestic market and positioning the brand in key international markets.

12 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Asahi Beverages unveils sustainability targets ASAHI BEVERAGES has announced a new sustainability agenda that covers climate change, sustainable packaging, the circular economy, supporting local farmers and more.

The company says the agenda introduces new targets while incorporating previously announced ones, helping to protect the planet and build a more sustainable business.

The targets include: • Sourcing 100% of purchased electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

• Zero waste to landfill at manufacturing sites or warehouses by 2030.

• Reducing scope 3 CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Asahi says it is engaging its suppliers to help reduce CO2 emissions beyond its own business operations.

• All packaging to be 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.

• Transition to 100% eco-friendly materials for PET Bottles by 2030. (Eco-friendly means either compostable, bio based or 100% recycled content. ) Asahi Beverages employs more than 3,500 people across 26 manufacturing and corporate sites in Oceania, including 400 in New Zealand, with employees directly engaged in helping guide how the business achieves its targets through internal ‘think tanks’.

Asahi Beverages says it is already committed to taking an industry-leading sustainability position by shifting Asahi Beverage NZ’s vehicle fleet from diesel and petrol to hybrid; using 100% recycled PET for Cool Ridge water (sold in New Zealand and Australia); and supporting New Zealand growers by purchasing barley locally.

It is forming a JV to build a PET recycling plant in Albury, NSW that will process the equivalent of around one billion plastic bottles and be Oceania’s largest when it officially opens in coming months. Asahi Beverages says that this will help the business to achieve its target of developing partnerships to collect and repurpose more plastic for recycling by 2025.

It is also installing at the Yatala Brewery in Queensland the largest solar project at any brewery in Oceania, helping to achieve the target of sourcing all electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

In New Zealand, Asahi Beverages NZ is also a proud supporter of Sustainable Coastlines (through Phoenix Organics) with staff regularly taking part in beach clean-ups.

INDUSTRY NEWS

SHOWCASE

Archie Rose Distilling Co. launches in NZ AUSTRALIA’S AWARD-WINNING Archie Rose Distilling Co. has launched its acclaimed whiskies, gins, vodka, bottled cocktails, and world-first Tailored Spirits concept in New Zealand.

It is the first international expansion for the distillery, which was founded in Sydney in 2014.

“We’re incredibly excited to be finally launching in New Zealand, given our shared appreciation for the natural environment and respect for native and local ingredients,” says Archie Rose Distilling Co. founder Will Edwards.

Archie Rose Distilling Co’s signature range whiskies include Rye Malt Whisky, named Champion Whisky at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2021 as well as World’s Best Rye Whisky at

the World’s Best Whiskies Awards 2020, and its Single Malt Whisky, which has been awarded Australia’s best whisky four times and was also voted Australia’s #1 spirit in the recent Top 100 Australian Bartender Awards.

The world-first Archie Rose Tailored Spirits range has also launched in New Zealand, allowing consumers and trade customers to create their own personalised blend of gin, vodka or whisky complete with their name or brand on the bottle.

In 2020, Archie Rose moved into a new distillery in Sydney. It is described as one of the most innovative distilleries in the world and was designed and constructed from the ground up by Edwards and Master Distiller Dave Withers to further support Archie Rose’s belief in the importance of malt in whisky production, and their continual search for the perfect individual botanical distillation.

“The completion of our new distillery includes globally unique technology and production methods such as our world first copper pot/column hybrid vacuum stills,” says Edwards. “These stills allow us to cold distil botanical distillates, eliminating the damaging impact of heat on delicate botanicals and ensuring the best flavour is extracted from each one. It means we are producing the best spirits we have ever made so it absolutely feels like the right time to share these with our New Zealand neighbours.

“Our vision is to use this technology to craft spirits using local New Zealand botanicals and ingredients. We’re looking forward to immersing ourselves in the country’s natural beauty to inspire these

creations and bring a unique taste of New Zealand to its people.”

In Australia, Archie Rose has formed partnerships with more than 25 leading cultural events, institutions and iconic brands including the Sydney Opera House, National Gallery of Australia, Sydney Mardi Gras, Gelato Messina and St. ALI coffee. It says it will be looking to establish similar relationships in New Zealand with those who share its ethos and core values of innovation, authenticity, education and quality.

Archie Rose portfolio available in New Zealand: Signature White Spirits: • Signature Dry Gin • Distiller’s Strength Gin • Native Botanical Vodka Signature Dark Spirits: • Single Malt Whisky • Rye Malt Whisky Limited Spirit Range: • Bone Dry Gin • Blasphemy Coffee Whisky • Sydney Opera House Outside Gin • Sydney Opera House Inside Gin archierose.com.au/nz For NZ wholesale and trade inquiries contact Nick Baxter at nick@archierose.com.au

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

New CBD home for Lion NZ LION NEW Zealand has moved into its new head office in downtown Auckland, which boasts the highest available sustainability standard.

Lion is one of five tenants at 136

Fanshawe Street, which comprises two towers with Meredith Connell and Fidelity Life taking naming rights. The 19,900m² building has received the internationally recognised 6 Green Star rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council.

Some of the features include an 105MWh photovoltaic panel array on the roof powering all the building’s common areas, reduced water consumption through use of harvested rainwater and low-flow water fixtures, fresh air inflow 50% higher than the NZ Building Code

Craig Baldie

Major research to develop new variants of NZ Sauvignon Blanc WORK HAS begun on a seven-year $18.7 million research programme that aims to make New Zealand’s wine industry more resilient and sustainable by developing new variants of Sauvignon Blanc.

It is the first national grapevine improvement programme in the country and the wine industry’s largest ever research project.

Bragato Research Institute (BRI) has partnered with the government on the Sauvignon Blanc Grapevine Improvement Programme, which includes investment from the government through the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW), and more than 20 wine sector companies.

Sauvignon Blanc provides 87% of the export revenue of New Zealand’s $1.9 billion wine industry. BRI says that as most of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc vines are of the same variant, a new pest, disease or environmental change that affects one Sauvignon Blanc vine could affect every one of them.

Its goal is to make the wine industry more resilient by identifying traits such as drought and frost resistance, and more sustainable by seeking natural resistance to pests and diseases.

14 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

BRI says it has designed an accelerated research programme that will apply the latest genome sequencing technology, after using established tissue culture techniques. This will allow it to create up to 20,000 entirely new variants of contemporary New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and then screen them to identify plants that exhibit the most useful traits selected by the wine industry.

BRI says no foreign introduction of DNA or gene editing is involved, so the vines will be GMO-free. It hopes to have new variants available to growers at the end of the seven years.

BRI says the programme seeks to develop new grapevines with traits such as improved yield, more tolerance of fungal attack, frost, high temperatures and drought, and which either maintain the characteristic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wine flavour and aroma, or offer new opportunities to expand sales of novel Sauvignon Blanc styles.

To deliver the programme, BRI is working closely with Plant & Food Research as a major partner. bri.co.nz

requirement, LED lighting throughout, and low emitting and sustainable materials used wherever possible. There was also a 90% recyclability rate for waste generated during construction.

The building was designed by FORMiS and built by Mansons TCLM. Lion’s interior fit out was done by STACK. Lion New Zealand Country Director Craig Baldie said that the move, delayed from September last year due to Delta, feels like a positive sign of things to come.

“Our new space supports our drive to be the most innovative and sustainable beverages company in Aotearoa with new ways of working, a range of collaborative spaces and the best technology alongside tributes to our long and proud legacy.

“The fit-out brief to Stack focused on sustainability and best-practice design thinking, to create a uniquely Lion space, that was functional and agile, but didn’t look conventional. We repurposed as much as we could from our previous office and prioritised local materials, trades and furniture to bring to life our legacy and personality.”

The space also includes a new bar, ‘The Local’ to showcase Lion products to guests.

Fellows of NZ Winegrowers 2021 revealed NEW ZEALAND Winegrowers (NZW) announced its Fellows awards for 2021, in recognition of those who have made an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand wine industry.

It says the 2021 NZW Fellows are a group of highly respected and influential individuals who have helped to shape the success of New Zealand wine today.

The NZ Winegrowers Fellows for 2021:

• Steve Smith MW for service to NZW, Wine Institute of New Zealand, and other initiatives.

• John Clarke for service to NZW and New Zealand Grape Growers Council (NZGGC).

• Andy Frost for service to national research.

• Rudi Bauer for service to New Zealand Pinot Noir.

• Daniel and Adele Le Brun for service to New Zealand bottle fermented sparkling wine.

NZW says the 2021 Fellows have all worked over many decades for the betterment of the wine industry. “The work of these individuals enables a small industry like ours to punch above our weight on the world stage, and we wholeheartedly thank them for their efforts,” said NZW Chief Executive Philip Gregan. nzwine.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

DEEP CREEK Brewing is set to increase its annual production by over five million litres to meet export and local demand, with a new brewery in its final stages.

Paul Brown, Deep Creek Brewing co-founder, says the company has more than doubled in size over the past year and increased the number of export markets to over 10.

He says international sales now make up around 55% of their multimillion-dollar revenue.

“Kiwi craft beer is growing in popularity on the world stage, particularly in a number of key Asian markets. This is being driven, in part, by a halo effect from the success of New Zealand wines.

“We now have a foothold presence in China, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia and entered the Japanese market last year. Our first shipment has also just gone to Hong Kong.”

He says the Asian craft market is forecast to grow by 22% per annum and reach over $65bn in five

JOSHUA MCCORMACK-CHELTNAM

Deep Creek expands, prepares new brewery

years as discretionary income in the region increases.

“The feedback we have been getting is that our New Zealand-made range is well positioned to take advantage of this surge in growth.”

Brown says their new locally designed brewery will allow them to produce

seven million litres of craft beer each year, an annual manufacturing volume they are forecasting to reach within the next three years. “While we have seen significant revenue growth over the past year, current production constraints have prevented us from meeting global demand for our product.”

He says the state-of-the-art brewery is completing its final stages of fabrication with the last of the tanks due to arrive in February, ready for installation and commissioning.

“We’re currently scaling up our staff numbers to accommodate the increase in domestic and export order volumes and will also be able to expand our contract manufacturing as a result of the capital investment,” he says.

Brown says despite the increased capacity the new million-dollar brewery investment will offer, they are already scouting new locations to build a purpose-built facility to accommodate projected growth.

SHOWCASE

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners retains Gender Tick Drinksbiz catches up with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners’ (CCEP NZ) People and Culture General Manager Clare Parkes, following the renewal of CCEP NZ’s Gender Tick accreditation.

Why is the Gender Tick such a valued accreditation for CCEP NZ?

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand was one of the first companies to receive The Gender Tick accreditation when it launched in New Zealand in 2018. To retain it again demonstrates our ongoing commitment to creating a gender inclusive workplace which should be top of mind for every business.

What has CCEP NZ actioned in the last year to achieve its goal of Gender Tick Accreditation?

We’ve fostered leadership development among women in our team, with programmes such as ‘Lean In,’ which was nominated in

the Diversity & Inclusion category at last year’s HR Awards. We’ve also partnered with the team in Australia to deliver the David Gonski programme which runs over a six-month period for women across the business who are on a leadership pathway. It provides them with the tools and capabilities to explore opportunities and challenges in their future careers.

What is a key focus for CCEP NZ in relation to this work going forward?

We will consistently re-examine what we can do better to work by the principles of the accreditation, working towards wider gender initiatives to empower all employees. Leadership representation and equal pay are key factors to this. As a result of COVID, we’re seeing the increased need for flexible work arrangements and leave policies to ensure our people are supported as much as possible during these disruptive times.

How do you personally plan to help drive these principles within the business?

We have all experienced some uncertainty and disruption in the past few years. As part of the leadership team, it’s important for me to keep our organisation focused on the bigger picture to ensure our people not only survive but thrive during these challenging times. The five key principles of the accreditation – Gender Inclusive Culture, Safe Workplace, Flexible Work and Leave, Equal Pay and Career Development – helps us measure and guide ourselves to doing what’s right by our people.

Clare Parkes

16 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

AUSTRALIA’S MOST HIGHLY AWARDED DISTILLERY NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW ZEALAND

Get in touch for more information including complimentary canvas gift bags, tasting stock, and marketing content.

Nick Baxter - nick@archierose.com.au

ARCHIEROSE.COM.AU

SHOWCASE

Saverglass – for top shelf quality THE SAVERGLASS collection of BOTTLES AND DECANTERS FOR SPIRITS is unique in the breadth of its offering in original designs, with a clarity and brilliance showcasing the quality of the glass.

Worked down to the smallest detail, some lines include sizes ranging from 50ml to 4.5L. Each year, new shapes and concepts are added to the collection, which is recognised as the widest in the marketplace.

To meet the demand of the high-end and luxury markets, Saverglass offers a selection of 15 glass colours. “Classic colours” (Flint and Antique) are offered year-round in scheduled colour production campaigns, but Saverglass also offers multiple “new” or personalised colours to stand out in the wine and spirits markets.

As a specialist in premiumisation, Saverglass has mastered all the expertise, techniques and processes of a highend decorator. Beyond the design and production of glass bottles, we offer a variety of decoration solutions to accomplish your dream: a highly personalised and differentiated bottle for your wine or spirit.

TSAR

Glass embossing makes your brand shine and gives it an authentic character.

With this permanent marking, it reaffirms its personality and distinguishes itself with elegance and effectiveness.

From a discrete marking on the finish or in the punt, to more visible ones on the shoulder, the body or the lower body, these powerful branding solutions are

valued by consumers. Associated with authenticity and quality, they have an undisputed impact on the perception of the brand and its value.

Find out more about the Saverglass range today.

09 522 2990 saverglass.com

A SHINING STYLE FOR SUMMER SPIRITS

Perfectly balanced, the slightly curved contours of the TSAR bottle allude to the papakha, the famous headwear worn in the former Russian Empire.

The TSAR’s compact design proudly features a refined, functional and harmonious style. With a timeless inverted conical design container and short neck, it is also available as a 50 cl bottle. A pure, compelling and ideal shape for customization, it is an attractive choice for all kinds of spirits.

Saverglass (NZ) Limited | www.saverglass.com Haute Couture Glass | Tel +64 9 522 2990

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 THE LIST of The World’s 50 Best Bars was revealed at the end of last year, with the Connaught Bar in London ranking No.1 for the second consecutive year.

The 2021 list features bars from 17 countries, with 18 new entries spread across Australia, India, Mexico, Russia, Argentina, Sweden, Spain, China and the UAE. As well as the title of The World’s Best Bar, The Connaught was also named The Best Bar in Europe.

Competition judges said that: “…under the masterful leadership of Agostino Perrone, the venue’s Director of Mixology, Connaught Bar stays true to its principles of presenting artful, modern drinks with graceful service in an elegant setting.”

The bar is inside The Connaught Hotel in London’s Mayfair. Designed by the late David Collins, the Cubist-inspired bar is known for its unique Martini trolley, where bartenders give a personalised drinks experience to guests.

Among the Special Awards announced at the live ceremony in December, Cardiff’s Lab 22 was the inaugural winner of the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu.

Any bar in the world was eligible to enter this award, which was graded by 50 Best’s panel of 28 global Academy Chairs.

French-born Remy Savage was named the Roku Industry Icon. For this award all 600 members of the voting Academy

Agostino Perrone of The Connaught

were asked to name the person who has done more for the progress of the bar industry than any other individual.

Savage is well regarded among drinks connoisseurs for his extensive cocktails and spirits knowledge. He is worldrenowned for his craft, creativity and unique way of approaching the bar experience.

Sydney bar Re secured the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. Opened in early 2021 by UK expat Matt Whiley, Re provides a sustainable drinking experience where every part of the bar is influenced by reducing waste and creating a closedloop service.

The World’s Best Bars 1-20 1. Connaught Bar, London 2. Tayer + Elementary, London 3. Paradiso, Barcelona 4. The Clumsies, Athens 5. Floreria Atlantico, Buenos Aires 6. Licoreria Limantour, Mexico City 7. Coa, Hong Kong 8. El Copitas, St. Petersburg 9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore 10. Katana Kitten, New York 11. Two Schmucks, Barcelona 12. Hanky Panky, Mexico City 13. Insider Bar, Moscow 14. Baba Au Rum, Athens 15. Manhattan, Singapore 16. Atlas, Singapore 17. Zuma, Dubai 18. The SG Club, Tokyo 19. Drink Kong, Rome 20. 1930, Milan

Full list at worlds50bestbars.com

Corona launches 0.0% beer with vit D CORONA IS launching Corona Sunbrew 0.0% – a non-alcoholic beer that it says contains 30% of the daily value of vitamin D per 330ml serving in Canada, where it debuted in January.

In a statement announcing the launch, Corona said the new beer had been developed from Corona Extra by extracting the alcohol and then blending the non-alcoholic beer with vitamin D and natural flavours to reach the final recipe.

“After numerous and rigorous trials, Corona Sunbrew 0.0% proudly showcases our ability to find solutions, gaps, and opportunities for growth as a brand,” said Brad Weaver, Global Vice President of Innovation Research & Development for ABInBev, parent company of Corona.

“The journey was not easy, as vitamin D is sensitive to oxygen and light, and not easily soluble in water.

But thanks to our ongoing investment in innovation and

research and development, our team was able to create the only non-alcoholic beer with vitamin D, providing a unique opportunity in the market.”

ABInBev says it launched Corona Sunbrew 0.0% in Canada in January, during that country’s period of limited sunlight. Later this year, Corona will extend the non-alcoholic product offering in the UK followed by key markets across the rest of Europe, South America, and Asia.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 19

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Best value celeb wines and spirits revealed

CELEBRITY WINE and liquors have been put to the test by UK financial advice website money.co.uk to find the best value buys by comparing their cost and ratings.

The research analysed the average cost of 85 wines and liquors owned by famous faces and compared that with their star ratings on critic websites Vivino.com (for wine) and Distiller.com (for liquor).

Porte Noire Rosé Wine, by Luther star Idris Elba tops the list of wines, scoring 85 out of 100, while New Zealand’s Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc by Sex and The City icon Sarah Jessica Parker scored 83.5 out of a possible 100. Close behind is American rapper Post Malone with his Maison No. 9 Rosé at 82.5 out of 100.

Jon Bon Jovi’s Hampton Water Rosé and Mary J Blige’s Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato Friuli tied for fourth place, while talk show host Graham Norton rounded out the Top 5 with his Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc (also made with New Zealand company Invivo) scoring 82 out of 100 on the best value index. Two more of Norton’s collection feature further down the list - Graham Norton’s Own Rose and Graham Norton’s Own Prosecco Rose come in joint 15th place.

The research also looked at liquor, revealing Jason Derulo’s Bedlam Vodka to provide the best value for money.

Second place is King St. Vodka, the gluten-free, non-GMO vodka created by Hollywood actress Kate Hudson, while third place is Born and Bred Potato Vodka by Channing Tatum.

American R&B artist, Ciara, is the owner of the fourthbest value liquor with her Ten To One White Rum, which scores 82 out of 100. Rounding off the top five liquor list is Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila Reposado, scoring 80 of out 100.

See the full lists at money.co.uk/credit-cards/ celebrity-alcohol

No- and low-alcohol in key global markets reaches almost US$10 billion in value – IWSR A NEW study published by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has found that no- and low-alcohol beer/cider, wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink (RTD) products grew by more than +6% in volume in 10 key global focus markets in 2021, and now command a 3.5% volume share of the industry.

Among the 10 focus markets examined in the 2022 IWSR No- and Low-Alcohol Strategic Study (Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the market value of no/ low alcohol in 2021 was just under US$10 billion, up from $7.8 billion in 2018.

The IWSR forecasts that no- and low-alcohol volume will grow by +8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2021 and 2025, compared to regular alcohol volume growth of +0.7% 20 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

CAGR during that same period.

“While January has become a popular month for people to cut back or abstain from alcohol, interest in no- and lowalcohol drinks has increasingly become a year-round trend among consumers across the world,” says Emily Neill, COO of IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. “To meet that demand, beverage alcohol companies have invested heavily to introduce a number of innovative new products, and many established mainstream brands have recently crossed over to develop no/low alcohol versions of their popular beer, wines, and spirits.”

IWSR Drinks Analysis reported that beer/cider is the largest no/low category (at 75% volume share), with no-alcohol beer projected to drive growth at more than +11% CAGR over the study’s

2021-2025 forecast period. No-alcohol RTDs and no-alcohol spirits are both expected to post about +14% CAGR volume growth. The wine category is the exception, as the taste of low-alcohol wine is perceived by many consumers to be superior to that of no-alcohol wine. Low-alcohol wine is expected to grow almost +20% CAGR 2021-2025, vs. no-alcohol wine projected at +9% CAGR. “The no/low alcohol market is still very much in its early growth stage in many categories and geographies, as the sector continues to define itself,” adds Neill.

“Brands that will ultimately dominate in the no/low space are those that are successful in navigating the barriers of taste, price, pack format, availability, and overall consumer education.” theiwsr.com

FEATURE – THE SHAPE OF 2022

The shape of 2022 Some key trends to keep an eye on locally and internationally as 2022 unfolds…

PREDICTING ANYTHING in a COVID environment might seem like an exercise in futility, but there are definite trends appearing, much of it based on what New Zealand and the rest of the world have been going through since early 2020.

Consumer behaviour has shifted when it comes to drinking occasions; category lines are blurring; there is continued increased awareness around health and wellness; and amongst it all, COVID-19 and global supply chain issues continue to impact.

With this in mind, we look at some trends emerging in New Zealand and around the world.

Consumer engagement with beverage brands continues to reach far beyond simply drinking the product.

Drinksbiz editor Victoria Wells outlines her predictions for 2022…

The rise and rise of no- and low-alc

Consumers have had a taste of how good the no- and low-alc offerings across beer, wine, RTD and even ‘spirits’ can be, and they are keen for more. This is part of the shift to more mindful drinking, and increased focus on health and wellness.

In January this year, the Brewers Association NZ reported that research it commissioned from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) found that there has been a 1,116% increase in the volume of low alcohol content beer (i.e. less than 1.15% ABV) available in New Zealand since 20161.

The increased availability, quality and range of no- and low-alc products means consumers who don’t want to drink alcohol can justifiably expect to have a good choice of these products at bars and restaurants.

Local opportunities

Global supply chain issues could see consumers’ favourite brands scarce on shelves for a time, opening the way for them to try other brands or types of drinks. This could present great opportunities for local brands to expand their retail and on-premise presence or provide consumers with easy direct purchase and delivery options.

It should be noted though, that reliance on imported ingredients may hinder production for some, as well as access to packaging.

Go home, stay home

It is inevitable that in the constantly 22 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

shifting COVID-19 landscape, more people may opt to entertain friends at home, or simply choose to stay home themselves.

Expect to see continued growth in demand for beverage home delivery and subscription services. The offerings around online classes such as cocktail making and tastings that emerged across 2020/2021 will likely return as a way of continuing consumer engagement with brands.

Mix it up

Mixed drinks, RTDs, hard seltzers – whichever way you look at them, they’ve been booming over the last 2-3 years in New Zealand and are only getting bigger.

Slick branding, local ingredients and (in most cases) the convenience of cans all combine to make these a winning choice with consumers.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a focus for companies across all industries and consumers have an expectation that beverage brands will do their best by the environment too.

Whether it’s a reduced carbon footprint during production, recycled packaging, or donating to environmental groups, those brands that can clearly demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability are a step ahead in consumers’ eyes.

The magic of experience

Consumer engagement with beverage brands continues to reach far beyond simply drinking the product. Social media, curated events, or a cellar door, taproom, or distillery experience all serve to integrate a brand more firmly into consumers’ lifestyles.

1 NZ ALCOHOL BEVERAGES COUNCIL, NEW ZEALANDER’S ATTITUDES TO ALCOHOL, DECEMBER 2021

FEATURE – THE SHAPE OF 2022

NZ Alcohol Beverages Council executive director Bridget MacDonald gives her pick of what to watch out for…

No- and low-alc

“The change in Kiwi’s attitudes toward balance and moderation has seen no- and low-alcohol drinks become increasingly popular and socially acceptable. New research shows nearly half (47%) of Kiwis had low-alcohol drinks in the past year1. Consumer demand for ‘better-for-me’ drinks is really driving innovation in the beverages sector. We have never had so many choices of low-carb, low-sugar, and reduced alcohol drinks.”

Trading up

Research by the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council found that more than half of those surveyed (56%) said they’d had a premium drink in the past year2.

“How New Zealanders drink is changing with a move toward premium wine, craft beer and spirits,” says MacDonald. “Interestingly, when people imbibe a premium drink, they are doing so in a more moderate and mindful way by taking a ‘sip and savour’ approach to enjoy the flavour experience of the drink.”

Time for tea

“Light and refreshing seltzers have become favourites over the past couple of years, though the new trend of iced tea with a twist is fast becoming popular.

Overseas, they’re embracing the likes of black tea with rum spiced with anise and orange, Earl Grey with botanical gin, and green tea with vodka and ginseng. These are trends that we’re likely to follow here.”

1 NZ ALCOHOL BEVERAGES COUNCIL, NEW ZEALANDER’S ATTITUDES TO ALCOHOL, DECEMBER 2021 2 NZ ALCOHOL BEVERAGES COUNCIL, NEW ZEALANDER’S ATTITUDES TO ALCOHOL, DECEMBER 2021 (POLL OF 1,250 NEW ZEALANDERS).

A global perspective IWSR DRINKS Market Analysis has analysed the key drivers that it says will shape the global market landscape in 2022. It says that while beverage alcohol has proved itself to be one of the most crisis-proof consumer goods categories and government schemes and grants have kept spending buoyant in some markets, economies have been set back by disruptions such as shipment costs and delays, container shortages, higher packaging costs and rising energy costs.

It also cites rising inflation and a changing political landscape as contributing to challenges in hospitality recruitment.

Here are the key trends that IWSR Drinks Market Analysis says are driving the beverage alcohol market landscape, as consumer behaviours continue to shift and guide market strategies and product innovation.

Emergence of non-traditional luxury categories

Although international status spirits (spirits sold at US$100 and above, excluding Baijiu) suffered declines in 2020 at a rate that exceeded that of the total global spirits market, IWSR says it expects a bullish rebound in line with previous growth levels of 2014-2019.

As new consumers enter the market, it says a key disrupter to the current international status spirits landscape is segment diversification and the emergence of niche status categories – such as agave-based spirits, Irish whiskey, US whiskey and Japanese whisky, which all registered absolute growth in 2020.

Substituters vs Blenders: moderation choices are driven by consumption occasion

No- and low-alcohol products are becoming more approachable for consumers as they are increasingly accepted as a lifestyle and societal norm.

Channels solely dedicated to selling alcohol-free drinks for adult occasions are also on the rise, with dedicated ecommerce sites, retailers and bars coming to market.

IWSR has also identified a distinction in how and when consumers choose DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 23

FEATURE – THE SHAPE OF 2022 no- versus low- products. It says that across key markets, the majority of no/ low consumers can be identified as ‘Substituters’ – those who use no- and low-products in place of full strength for certain occasions. ‘Blenders’ are those who switch between no/low and fullstrength on the same occasion.

It also notes a rise in new technologies that tap into no-alcohol occasions, with alcohol-free products that offer moodenhancing or functional benefits, many with ingredients such as CBD, nootropics and adaptogens.

Nuanced ecommerce landscape as sub-channels blur

IWSR says that the value of ecommerce increased by almost +43% in 2020 across 16 key markets, up from +12% in 2019. Its data shows that by 2025, in these markets ecommerce is projected to represent about 6% of all off-trade beverage alcohol volumes, compared to less than 2% in 2018.

It also notes a blurring of lines between online sales channels – for example, omnichannel retailers establishing logistics partnerships with on-demand services to offer faster delivery; on-demand platforms using ‘dark stores’ to improve delivery times and become more like marketplaces; and marketplaces establishing networks of physical stores.

More sophisticated home-premise impacts the return of on-premise

Changes in living location, work commutes and hybrid working policies mean that consumers are spending more time at home and in local on-premise venues. IWSR findings indicate that premium consumption may potentially shift, to some extent, from on-trade to home-premise.

It says that as consumers return to the on-trade, their experiences will be shaped by the last two years of premium at-home experiences, such as at-home cocktail-making and subscription services.

Consumers will therefore be more conscious of higher prices and more easily deterred by poorer quality products or experiences in bars, pubs and restaurants.

Early signs of premiumisation in RTD category

New RTD launches coming to market have a higher representation of premium-andabove products than volumes consumed in 2020, suggesting a trend towards premiumisation.

This marks a clear diversion from RTD innovation so far, with the vast majority of the global RTD category currently 24 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Companies are no longer selling products to groups of consumers, but are selling products that fit particular consumption occasions – IWSR Drinks Market Analysis sitting within the standard-and-below price bands.

Diversification as category lines blur

People are switching with increasing frequency between beverage options or trialling completely new beverages.

IWSR research shows a wide repertoire of product trial, with consumers showing strong interest in trying craft beer, hard seltzers, wine and Japanese whisky.

Drinks companies are responding by moving into previously unexplored categories to diversify their portfolios and in some cases, proactively plan for the softening or decline of existing core brands and/or categories.

Companies are no longer selling products to groups of consumers, but are selling products that fit particular consumption occasions.

Clear commitments to sustainable practices

Sustainable packaging solutions have been at the top of corporate and social responsibility agendas in the drinks industry for many years. But concerns around climate change have been growing in intensity and influential figures across the industry, as well as consumers, are increasingly looking for drinks companies to show a clear commitment to sustainable practices.

Solidarity with local brands and businesses has also been a key trend

during the pandemic, and is one that is closely associated with consumers’ sustainable mindset. Consumer research from IWSR shows that 48% of US alcohol drinkers say their purchase decisions are positively influenced by a company’s sustainability or environmental initiatives; rising to 70% of urban affluent Chinese alcohol drinkers.

External pressures

Factors beyond consumer demand continue to impact production and routeto-market for the global beverage alcohol industry. Rising packaging costs, container capacity and other supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, and environmental change will impact some suppliers significantly.

Brand owners should also be conscious of false positives witnessed through 2020 and 2021 that will revert to previous historical trends, especially as international travel resumes. Particularly for premium beverage alcohol, the past two years saw a marked shift in where products were purchased – a trend that may reverse as the market normalises. As such, purchasing spikes seen in domestic markets throughout 2020 and 2021 will likely face some downwards correction going forward.

Find out more at IWSR Drinks Market Analysis - theiwsr.com

LEGAL NOTES

Pervinder Kaur

Associate at Harkness Henry specialising in alcohol licensing and resource management law pervinder.kaur@harkness.co.nz harknesshenry.co.nz

Understanding local alcohol policy Alcohol licensing lawyer Pervinder Kaur explains the role of local alcohol policy when it comes to applying for an alcohol licence…

THE SALE and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (Act) sets out the criteria for assessing alcohol licence applications. In my last article, (Drinksbiz Dec 21-Jan22 issue), I discussed the suitability of the applicant as one of the matters that the decisionmakers must take into account. This article focuses on local alcohol policy (LAP) and its relevance in assessing alcohol licence applications.

The Act allows local councils to develop local alcohol policies. A local alcohol policy is a set of decisions made by a local authority in consultation with its community about the sale and supply of alcohol in its geographical area.1 LAPs are optional – councils don’t have to have one, and if they want, two or more councils can develop a joint LAP. Once a LAP is adopted, the district licensing committee must take it into consideration when it makes decisions about alcohol licence applications.

By having a LAP, a council can: • limit trading hours for licensed premises; • limit the location of licences in particular areas or near certain types of facilities such as schools, early childcare centres, kindergarten and/or places of worship; • limit the density of licences by specifying whether new licences or types of licences should be issued in a particular area; • impose conditions on groups of licences, for example a ‘one-way door’ condition that would allow patrons to leave premises but not enter or re-enter after a certain time;

1 SEE HTTPS://WWW.JUSTICE.GOVT.NZ/JUSTICE-SECTORPOLICY/KEY-INITIATIVES/SALE-AND-SUPPLY-OF-ALCOHOL/ COMMUNITY-INVOLVEMENT/LOCAL-ALCOHOL-POLICIES/

26 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Community preference has an important role to play under the Local Alcohol Policy development process.

• restrict or extend the maximum trading hours set out in the Act. Community preference has an important role to play under the LAP development process. A LAP is a means by which communities can implement, through participatory processes, some of their own policies on alcohol-related matters in their districts.

Auckland Council’s LAP has been in the news with the recent Court of Appeal decision in relation to the trading hours for off-licences. The council has favoured 9pm closing for off-licence alcohol sales instead of 11pm as was previously allowed. After a long legal battle between the council and

supermarket chains, the Court of Appeal has reinstated an Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) decision confirming 9pm closing for off-licence alcohol sales.

When applying for a new licence, it is important to check if there is a LAP in place for that particular geographical area. If there is one, then make sure that your licence application is in line with the specific LAP provisions, i.e. the location of the premises, the distance from other licensed premises, and trading hours etc.

An application for an alcohol licence may not be successful if it fails to comply with the LAP.

RTD NEWS

Boxing clever MANDATORY SPIRIT Co is launching single serve Boxtails (250ml) – an addition to its already popular 2L Boxtails range of low calorie alcoholic sparkling waters.

The single serve Boxtails will be available in: Mai Tai, Passionfruit Martini and Pink Gin Daiquiri. There are also

three new flavours in the 2L Boxtail range, with orange and pineapple Mai Thai, raspberry and lemon Fruit Tingle and a lime and mint Mojito.

Boxtails are 60 calories per serve, 99% sugar-free and made from real fruit juice and real spirits.

Beverage Brothers

Tui adds two new flavours to RTDs TUI HAS added two new flavours to its RTD portfolio, with Tui Brewed Vodka Raspberry & Soda, and Tui Brewed Vodka Passionfruit & Soda now available. The new arrivals are both 7% ABV and made using a brew of triple distilled vodka with natural flavours and soda water.

Tui Brewed Vodka Passionfruit & Soda and Tui Brewed Vodka Raspberry & Soda are available in 250ml 12-pack at RRP $23.99.

DB

SHOWCASE

Fruity new twist from Fever-Tree FEVER-TREE HAS added a vibrant new flavour to its line-up with Refreshingly Light Wild Raspberry Tonic with a hint of Rhubarb.

Combining juicy Scottish raspberries with a hint of sweet British rhubarb, the vibrant pink tonic water is crafted with naturally sourced ingredients and no artificial sweeteners, for a naturally fruity twist on a G&T. With many New Zealanders polishing up their home bartending skills over the past 18 months, FeverTree’s latest flavour provides a simple solution to a twist on the classic long mixed drink at home. Pairing perfectly with London Dry Gins such as Tanqueray, as well as pink and sweet gins or premium vodkas, Wild Raspberry tonic is made for crafting a sophisticated fruity drink with a bright hue for the warmer months.

Fever-Tree’s Australasian Brand Ambassador Trish Brew said “We are seeing more and more people experimenting with mixing drinks at home, using their premium spirit of choice and one of our mixers, and in doing so realise how easy it is to make a delicious simple long mixed drink.”

Fever-Tree’s Refreshingly Light range of all-natural, lower calorie mixers has proved incredibly popular with the existing Indian and Mediterranean light variants, and Fever-Tree expects to see similar trends to the UK, where the Wild Raspberry tonic became the brand’s third top-selling tonic after just three weeks on shelves.

Fever-Tree’s Refreshingly Light Wild Raspberry tonic water with a hint of Rhubarb is available in 4x200ml packs for RRP $10.99.

Thirsty Camel

28 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

RTD NEWS

Rugby trio launches Grins THREE MATES (and rugby greats) have teamed up to enter the premium RTD market with Grins.

Stephen Donald (former All Black) and current All Black players, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown, are behind the new release, which has launched with two flavours: Grins Vodka Mango, Pineapple & Soda; and Grins Vodka Lemon, Lime & Soda.

They say the name was inspired by McKenzie’s trademark grin before he takes a kick. “Like most great ideas, Grins was born from a conversation around the barbecue with Damian and Anton late one

Stephen

Anton

Damian

Thirst quenchers from YPSO Hard Seltzer YPSO HARD Seltzer combines wine with sparkling water and comes in three flavours: Lime, Coconut, and Watermelon.

YPSO is vegan, gluten-free and is 5.5% ABV. YPSO Hard Seltzer 330ml RRP $2.99

Q Liquid

night,” says Stephen Donald. “We’ve always planned to launch a seltzer that was low in sugar, carbs and gluten-free but hadn’t quite nailed the name until it was right in front of us – Damian and his iconic grin.”

Creative agency MetroEXP developed the brand and its custom beaver illustration (which embodies the three founders) in bright pastel colours.

Grins – 5% ABV, 330ml grinsdrinks.co.nz

DISTRIBUTED BY

THE WORLDS MOST CONVENIENT COCKTAIL 99% SUGAR FREE

FRESH JUICE & REAL SPIRITS

@MANDATORYSPIRITCO

LOW CALORIE

INFO@BEVERAGEBROTHERS.CO.NZ +64 3390 1370

WINE REPORT – SAUVIGNON BLANC

Shades of Sauvignon

Sauvignon Blanc continues to gain ground in the national vineyard area and as the country’s most important wine export, with an increasingly diverse range available.

Joelle Thomson highlights some great examples for every price point.

30 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

WINE REPORT – SAUVIGNON BLANC

Under RRP $20 2021 Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc RRP $15 Negociants

An appealingly affordable, light-bodied South Australian Sauvignon Blanc. It has fresh fruit flavours of rock melon and red apple, a soft smooth texture and a clean, smooth finish. 15.5/20 2021 Mission Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc RRP $17 Mission Estate

A super-tropical delight in the glass, made in a fruit-forward style with loads of luscious, lovely flavours – from peach and passionfruit to ripe guava and candied grapefruit peel. A medium-bodied wine with a lingering, flavourful finish. 17.5/20 2020 The Vegan Wine Project Sauvignon Blanc RRP $18 Negociants

This is an innovative new Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc brand that’s good value for money. The vegan-friendly wine has a light body and flavours of green apple and fresh herbs, making it a good match for salty flavours and summer snacks.

16.5/20

2021 The Ned Sauvignon Blanc RRP $18.99 Marisco

Fruity freshness is key in this beautiful new release from Marisco Wines in Marlborough. Grapes were fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel to preserve their tropical fruit aromas of passionfruit, ripe pineapple and notes of mango, which are supported by zesty lime leaf, green herb flavour notes and zingy acidity. This wine totally over-delivers on its price. 18.5/20 2021 Leefield Station Sauvignon Blanc RRP $19.99 Marisco

Leefield Station is a special place in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley. The former sheep station is now a vineyard dedicated primarily to Sauvignon Blancs like this fresh and fruity but dry expression of Marlborough’s southern valleys. It was fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel to preserve its fine aromas of red capsicum, ripe lime zest and tropical pineapple notes, all supported by the tension of firm acidity that runs through the wine, adding depth and length. A delicious wine and great buying.

18.5/20

2020 Giesen Uncharted Sauvignon Blanc RRP $18.99 Giesen Group

This crisp, fresh Sauvignon Blanc is made with grapes grown in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, where two vineyard blocks provided the raw material. It has fresh green herb and tropical flavours with a medium body and zesty finish.

A lively, youthful, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. 17.5/20 2021 Hunter’s Sauvignon Blanc RRP $19.90 EuroVintage

Forty years on, still going strong. That’s the mantra of Hunter’s Wines, which celebrated its 40th vintage last year. The first Hunter’s Sauvignon Blanc was made in 1982 and the wine has since evolved into a rich, tropical fruit style on the nose with added depth from 5% of the wine being fermented in large French oak. All of the grapes were estate-grown in the Wairau Valley, harvested over three weeks, then pressed and settled in stainless steel tanks. A brief time on lees builds smoothness and complexity into this wine, which was fermented to dryness with 2.92 grams per litre of residual sugar. 18.5/20

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 31

WINE REPORT – SAUVIGNON BLANC

The Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc is very good value for money and part of a new wave of lower alcohol wines.

RRP $20 to $29.99 2021 The Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc RRP $20 Forrest Wines

The Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc is named after doctors John and Brigid Forrest, who founded Forrest Estate in Marlborough and also set about creating wines with lower than standard alcohol. This is now the flagship of that range. It contains 9.5% ABV and has a medium body with flavoursome depth, thanks to full ripeness but earlier harvest dates so that both needs are met: great taste with less natural sugar to ferment into alcohol. This lively white tastes of passionfruit, dill, basil and green apple, with a long finish.

It is very good value for money and part of a new wave of lower alcohol wines.

17.5/20

32 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

2021 Wairau River Estate Sauvignon Blanc

2021 Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Wairau River was one of the first Marlborough wineries, producing its first Sauvignon Blanc in 1991, winning awards and selling out immediately afterwards.

It has become a consistently top quality producer, making wines with purity and depth of flavour such as this vibrantly fruity Sauvignon Blanc from 2021. Flavours run the gamut of ripe citrus with lemon and grapefruit supported by a peachy note on the lingering finish. 18.5/20

This wine consistently delivers vibrant, fruity and dry Sauvignon Blanc from a blend of vineyards in the country’s biggest wine region, Marlborough. It’s a perennial favourite Sauvignon Blanc with both wine lovers and hospitality venues alike, due to its deliciously well balanced herbaceous aromas and ripe, passionfruity tropical flavours. Medium bodied, intensely flavoursome and lingering in taste.

18.5/20

2021 Main Divide North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc

2021 Moy Hall Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc

Main Divide Sauvignon Blanc is excellent value with deliciously zesty grapefruit aromas that lead into exotic tropical fruit flavours of passionfruit, ripe peach and nectarines, beautifully balanced by zingy acidity. It has a beautifully vibrant, youthful character and exciting flavours of lemongrasss, tropical fruit and apple skins.

Love the medium body and long finish, both of which keep the wine in great balance. 17.5/20

Moy Hall is an eight hectare vineyard, restaurant and cellar door in Martinborough, owned by Phil (winemaker) and Carolyn McArthur. The wines are made to go with food, and as much as that may sound like a cliché, here it really does make for soft, mediumbodied styles with freshness and savoury flavours, as well as fruit-driven ones. This Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favourites because of its short time on lees, which provides body and complexity and makes it very good value for money. 18.5/20

RRP $20 Federal Merchants

RRP $20.99 EuroVintage

RRP $22.99 Astrolabe Wines

RRP $22.99 Moy Hall

WINE REPORT – SAUVIGNON BLANC

2021 Opawa Sauvignon Blanc RRP $23 Negociants

Opawa has a beautiful new look for its wines and its 2021 Sauvignon Blanc represents very good value for money to boot. It has great concentration of flavour with intense zesty green lime skin, hints of tropical fruit and a super long, succulent finish. Very refreshing. 17.5/20 2021 Zephyr Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc RRP $23.99 Hancocks

Winemaker Ben Glover, wife Susie and their family founded Zephyr Wines in 2007 and have since transitioned 14 of their 35 hectares into certified organic land. The 2021 vintage was tough, reducing yields significantly but fortunately the family was able to purchase 40% of their Sauvignon grapes from fellow organic winegrowers, the Rose family in Marlborough. The result is a fresh, tropical fruit expression of Sauvignon Blanc, gaining its depth from high quality raw material and finishing dry with three grams of residual sugar to balance the naturally zingy acidity in the wine. It’s a tasty step up and great buying.

18.5/20

2021 Saint Clair James Sinclair Sauvignon Blanc RRP $24.50 Negociants

Winemaker Stewart Maclennan made this wine from grapes grown at the highly revered Dillons Point subregion of Marlborough. It’s known for grapes that make beautifully ripe, smooth wines, such as this dry, full-bodied, zesty example with its soft, smooth characters and lingering floral flavour notes. Vegan friendly.

18.5/20 2019 Greystone Sauvignon Blanc RRP $24.99 Red + White Cellar

Certified organic, barrel fermented wine usually comes at a far higher price than the modest cost of this one. It’s a beautifully smooth Sauvignon Blanc from Greystone; a winery that puts its integrity where its mouth is. All grapes in the wine were grown on site at the winery’s home in the Waipara Valley and this, along with a portion of malolactic fermentation, add to its high quality and soft, smooth mouthfeel. This is a lovely, complex dry white offering very good value for money.

17.5/20

2021 Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc RRP $25 Negociants

Bold, smooth flavours of freshly picked green herbs and green apple skins are nicely balanced by this wine’s medium body and zingy high acidity, which add depth and length of flavour. One glass of this taste sensation is simply not enough.

It drinks well now and will evolve and soften over the next four to five years, retaining freshness and developing complexity as it matures. 18.5/20 2021 Astrolabe Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc RRP $26.99 Astrolabe Wines

Delicious crisp, cool climate flavours of green citrus and lime skin combine with lime cordial aromas and notes of tomato stalk. These are the hallmarks of Sauvignon Blanc grown in the Awatere Valley south of Blenheim. This wine is crisp, medium-bodied, dry and full of flavour, offering complexity and next level quality without costing an arm and a leg.

18.5/20

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 33

WINE REPORT – SAUVIGNON BLANC

2020 Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Sauvignon Blanc

2021 Palliser Estate Sauvignon Blanc

This wine is made from grapes grown on the southernmost vineyard in Marlborough at Kēkerengū, south of Blenheim, between the sea and the mountains. It’s a delicious, intensely creamy Sauvignon, beautifully balanced by the purity of high acidity. Grapes were hand-picked and fermented in stainless steel to full dryness. The wine’s flavours are fresh, light, herbal and succulent with a salty tang on the finish that lingers refreshingly, long after the last sip. 18.5/20

Martinborough Sauvignon Blancs are characterised by their dry flavours and bright, fresh, zesty citrus and herbal flavours. This wine has a beautiful balance of tropical fruit with notes of citrus, freshly picked green herbs and ripe white peaches. 18.5/20

RRP $27.99 Astrolabe Wines

2021 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc RRP $27.99 Red + White Cellar

This is one of the best Sauvignon Blancs around, offering fabulous value for money from the country’s biggest owner of certified organic vineyards: Dog Point Vineyards in Marlborough. This wine is dry with pronounced crunchy green apple aromas and notes of oatmeal combining to create a complex wine. Post-ferment lees ageing adds body and depth, enhancing the wine’s complexity and providing balance to Sauvignon’s naturally fresh flavours. 18.5/20

34 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

RRP $27.99 Negociants

2021 Whitehaven Greg Awatere Sauvignon Blanc RRP $28 Whitehaven Wines

Single vineyard Sauvignon Blancs from the Awatere Valley are growing in number and this one is ripe, tropical and deliciously full-flavoured with notes of lemongrass, basil and lime combining with nectarine and passionfruit. It’s dry with a medium body and long, zesty, flavoursome finish. This is the top Sauvignon Blanc from Whitehaven and is named for the late Greg White, who co-founded Whitehaven with his wife Sue, who remains at the helm today. 18.5/20

RRP $30 to $39.99 2019 Butterworth Sauvignon Blanc RRP $30 Butterworth Estate

Te Muna Valley is a beautifully dramatic landscape east of Martinborough village and home to the grapes in this edgy, delicious wine. It’s dry, refreshing and intense with a beautiful combination of creamy lees intertwined with blackberry aromas and ripe citrus. It has a medium body and long finish, drinks well now and has positive ageing potential for four to five years. 18.5/20 2020 Astrolabe Taihoa Sauvignon Blanc RRP $32.99 Astrolabe Wines

Lightly pressed, hand-picked grapes are wild yeast fermented in old oak to provide textural qualities in Taihoa Sauvignon Blanc, the most distinctly full-bodied of all Astrolabe’s Sauvignon Blancs. It derives depth and complexity of flavour from the oak influence and ageing on lees, creating a wine that is age-worthy at a significantly lower price than similar styles of wines from the region. The grapes in Taihoa are grown on the Kēkerengū coast on a small hillside terrace. 18.5/20

WINE REPORT – SAUVIGNON BLANC

2019 Mahi Boundary Farm Sauvignon Blanc

2020 Jules Taylor OTQ Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon

North-facing vineyard, hand-picked grapes, whole cluster pressed to French oak barriques, and indigenous yeast fermentation. What’s not to love about this wine? All of these seemingly small steps add up to a full-bodied, textural and creamy wine that benefits from the added depth of lees ageing for 11 months, with regular stirring to build weight and flavour. Boundary Farm is a hillside vineyard south of Blenheim. 18.5/20

This is a next level Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc made from vineyards in the region’s Southern Valleys. Winemaker Jules Taylor used hand-picked grapes for this wine, pressing them as whole bunches into old barriques for a fast fermentation followed by a malolactic ferment. This softens Sauvignon’s naturally pronounced acidity, providing depth and richness with a creamy smooth texture to accompany the deliciousness of all these complex winemaking manoeuvres.

If you love Sauvignon, or simply adore great dry whites, here is an impressive example from one of Marlborough’s most experienced winemakers. 18.5/20

A beautiful wine for savouring now or cellaring. This stunning Sauvignon Semillon blend is a great expression of the inspiration and innovation combined with great viticulture at North Canterbury’s Pegasus Bay winery. This is a Kiwi take on the classic white Bordeaux theme, with weight and textural qualities from fermentation in old oak, supported by the freshness of ripe apple, lime, gooseberry and passionfruit. The Sauvignon (70%) brings fruit and acidity, while the Semillon (30%) builds weight, richness and ageability. 19/20

RRP $34 Red + White Cellar

2021 Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc RRP $34.90 Negociants

This is an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc from one of the great wineries in this country’s biggest wine region. It’s a powerful wine with elegance and commanding tropical fruit flavours balanced by lively acidity, making for exciting tension in every succulent, citrusy sip. Flavours of ripe grapefruit, lime and candied lemon add complex layers to a Sauvignon with the X-factor. 19/20

RRP $34.99 Hancocks

2021 Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc from one of the great wineries in this country’s biggest wine region.

RRP $35.99 EuroVintage

2015 Dog Point Vineyards Section 94 RRP $36.99 Red + White Cellar

Section 94 is a single vineyard wine from a small patch of prime real estate in Marlborough. Hand-picked grapes are gently pressed to old French oak for 18 months where they are fermented with wild yeasts, gaining enormous textural qualities and flavour richness from the oak. Low cropping levels in the vineyard equate to deep concentration of flavour with notes of grapefruit, lemon and white floral characters. Toasty, nutty flavours and creamy textures all feature in this distinctive expression of place and grape variety. 19/20

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 35

WINE REPORT – SAUVIGNON BLANC

The 2019 Clos Henri Stones Sauvignon Blanc offers an insight into the greatness that this popular white grape is capable of.

2020 Greywacke Wild Sauvignon RRP $37.99 Negociants

This outstanding wild yeast fermented Sauvignon Blanc is one of New Zealand’s best, and ages superbly for up to a decade. It’s made from a blend of grapes grown in the Southern Valleys and central Wairau Plains at Woodbourne, Renwick and Rapaura. Soils vary from the young alluvial stones of Rapaura and Renwick to the older heavier clay soils of the Southern Valleys, both adding complex layers of ripe and green fruit flavours to the wine, which was first made by Kevin Judd in 2009. It is 100% barrel fermented with wild yeasts and malolactic fermentation softening zesty notes, adding body, richness and texture. 19/20 2019 Giesen The August Sauvignon Blanc RRP $39.99 Giesen Group

This wine is named for the Giesen brothers’ grandfather, August Giesen.

It’s made from hand-picked, certified organic grapes grown at Dillons Point in Marlborough. Fermentation takes place in French oak barriques with wild yeasts, which creates a dry, full-bodied, creamy take on the Sauvignon theme. Multilayered flavours include a smooth, creamy texture with flinty, nutty, multifaceted tropical fruit nicely intertwined. 19/20

36 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

RRP $40 and above 2020 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc RRP $40.99 Moët Hennessy

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is an iconic New Zealand wine with depth, complexity and beautiful textural qualities. This is due to fermentation that is mostly carried out in stainless steel for freshness, balanced with a small portion of the wine, typically 4%, fermented in old French oak barriques. This small portion provides a lot of weight, helping to build smooth, soft and flavoursome interest in this complex Sauvignon Blanc. 19/20 2018 Churton Best End Sauvignon Blanc RRP $41.99 Churton Wines

This is one of New Zealand’s best white wines. Small volumes are made from the north-western boundary of Churton Estate’s biodynamically farmed Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, where the windy climate reduces the number of grapes, increasing their concentration of flavour. Depth, richness and a taut frame of finely tuned acidity add great structure to this satisfyingly complex dry wine. Textural and delicious by turns, it drinks beautifully now and can definitely age further, gaining complexity as it does. 19/20

2019 Clos Henri Stones Sauvignon Blanc RRP $67.99 Maison Vauron

This is my pick of all of Clos Henri’s outstanding white wines. It’s made from organically certified, hand-picked grapes that were wild fermented in 600 litre Austrian oak barrels then aged on lees for 20 months and bottled unfiltered. This complex, waxy, full-bodied, bone-dry Sauvignon Blanc offers an insight into the greatness that this popular white grape is capable of when given free rein after meticulous organic viticulture. 19/20 For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 94.

The Sauv for Savvy Drinkers

A fun night out shouldn’t have to mean a long morning of regret! And now it doesn’t have to.

Using our own innovative processes, we’ve mastered the art of creating delicious, full-flavoured, lower-alcohol wines. At just 9.5% alcohol, our Sauvignon Blanc boasts red capsicum, passionfruit and fresh herb notes, and a crisp tropical finish that’s quintessential Marlborough.

Naturally produced using sustainable methods, it’s the perfect modern drink for staying sharp while socialising with friends.

The Doctors’ – All the fun, and better for you.

OPINION – WINE

Joelle Thomson

Journalist, wine writer and author joellethomson.com

The ascent of Albariño Albariño has become a rising star of New Zealand’s alternative white scene. But, asks Joelle Thomson, why has it succeeded where so many others have failed?

IT ALL seems so obvious now, but when Albariño first popped up on the New Zealand wine scene it was met with curiosity rather than immediate excitement.

After all, the last 10 to 15 years have seen other alternative whites such as Arneis, Grüner Veltliner, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier come and go, but Albariño has swiftly embedded itself in our consciousness and in our glasses.

Why is Albariño so successful when other quirky newcomers have not been?

The first reason is the name. ‘Albariño’ (‘Al-bah-REEN-yo’) is a little easier to pronounce than some of its competitors.

Albariño has so much going for it already, thanks to its refreshing acidity and characterful flavours.

A little more difficult is ‘Rías Baixas’, the most famous home of Albariño, where it makes up about 96% per cent of the vineyards. This region is in Galicia, northwest Spain, and bears more than a passing resemblance to most of New Zealand because its climate is lush and maritime.

Not far away, in north-west Portugal, Albariño is known as ‘Alvarinho’ and is a key ingredient in white blends called ‘vinho verde’, as well as single varietal wines.

Which brings me to the second reason.

Both of these European wine regions have maritime climates. Rainfall is relatively high, temperatures are relatively warm and 38 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

tropical and, all of a sudden, it makes sense that Albariño could thrive in New Zealand.

And it is doing just that.

This grape may be relatively new here but its success knows no bounds. Excellent examples are trickling out of wineries from Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, to Marlborough, Nelson and North Canterbury. This begs the questions: When will we see more planted and where will that be?

A third reason for Albariño’s success is its thick skin. This key attribute makes it a natural fit for regions with regular or frequent rain where the threat of mildew is a clear and present danger. Thick-skinned grapes are less likely to suffer from fungal disease and can hang longer on vines, even if rain arrives around harvest time. This means they can ripen for longer, gaining more flavour and, in Albariño’s case, retain its refreshing, naturally high acidity.

Spanish winemaking sees some Albariños made by macerating the grapes on their skins prior to fermentation, enabling the wines to gain additional complexity.

Barrel fermentation and ageing can also add complexity and weight, but Albariño doesn’t need the influence of barrels. It has so much going for it already, thanks to its refreshing acidity and characterful flavours.

These include green olive, green herbs and green apple, but they rarely seem sharp or astringent. Albariño is always dry, so there’s no confusion over the style.

All up, Albariño is a reliable and surprisingly successful alternative white that’s making its mark from being allowed to shine, unfettered by oak and

winemaker influence, putting it on a fast upward trajectory.

Will it ever become New Zealand’s next big thing? Perhaps in a quirky and semimainstream fashion, but I rather hope it doesn’t become too popular. It would be in all our best interests to drink less and drink better, rather than see a lovely newcomer diluted in the quest of volume. To date, New Zealand Albariños all tick the box of high quality. Long may that last.

2020 Nautilus Marlborough Albariño RRP $28.99 Negociants

This wine is as commanding in taste as it is in appearance. The tall, slender bottle contains an elegant, zesty, citrusy style of wine made by Clive Jones at Nautilus.

2018 Astrolabe Kēkerengū Albariño RRP $26.99 Astrolabe Wines

Kēkerengū is a windswept coastal area south of Blenheim and home to the southernmost vines in the greater Marlborough region, which translate to crisp fresh flavours here. Zesty green citrus, green apple and olive notes all combine in this wine.

2020 Redmetal Block 5 Albariño RRP $33.99 Redmetal Vineyards

This is the best vintage of the past 20 years and while winemaker Grant Edmonds hasn’t made Albariño for that long yet, this commanding wine expresses what a great year is all about: intense flavours and Albariño’s naturally high acidity, succulent sip.

“

WINE – NEW RELEASES

Top Picks Joelle Thomson selects five of the best new releases from soft reds to savoury super wines to cellar…

2020 Umani Ronchi Montepulciano

2020 Butterworth Martinborough Pinot Noir

2016 Peter Lehmann Stonewell Barossa Shiraz

Montepulciano is one of central Italy’s most popular grapes and often seen as a bulk red variety rather than capable of greatness. But even at humble prices, this big red grape can produce outstanding wines of surprising depth and breadth.

Ripe, fleshy red plum and spice flavours combine in this luscious little red, which over-delivers massively on value for money. It’s sealed with a screwcap, which adds to the reasons to buy given this choice of closure ensures consistency in the wine. 17.5/20

Te Muna Valley is nine kilometres east of Martinborough village and is home to Butterworth Estate, which is the new incarnation of Julicher Estate. Winemaker Martin Bell uses hand-picked grapes to make this savoury Pinot, which spends 11 months in French oak, 25% new, which adds smoothness to the concentration of black and red fruit flavours. It drinks well now and has the structure to age for 10 years and further in favourable storage conditions (and if the willpower holds out). 18.5/20

Stonewell Shiraz was first made in 1987 and is named after the Barossan wine district that the late Peter Lehmann most admired for the intensely flavoursome grapes it grows. This is a powerful dry wine with smooth, ripe flavours of blackberries, dark plums and notes of spice. The wine spent 18 months in French oak hogsheads, which adds depth and softens its tight tannic structure. It drinks well now, decanted, and will age superbly for at least a decade. 18.5/20

2015 Peter Lehmann Wigan Riesling

2020 Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir

The Wigan Riesling is named after winemaker Andrew Wigan, who was mentored by the late Peter Lehmann when the South Australian winery first began in 1979. The wine now forms part of the Lehmann Master’s Collection and is made from grapes grown in the high altitude Eden Valley, where cool nights provide refreshing acid balance and tension to the intense citrus aromas and lime cordial flavours. It’s dry in style and in taste with 5.2 grams per litre of residual grape sugar and it is a new release now, as all Masters Collection wines are aged prior to release onto the market. Best of all, while it’s tasty now, this wine will age superbly for 10 to 15 years in cool cellar conditions. 19/20

Martinborough’s Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir is one of the best North Island Pinot Noirs produced. It’s also one of the longest established and is made from grapes grown on the 0.8 hectare Lease Block Vineyard on Huangarua Road, five minutes walk from Martinborough village.

Winemaker Roger Parkinson is fond of saying that this wine makes itself in a good year, which 2020 most definitely was. This is a ripe, bold and powerful wine balanced beautifully by bright fresh acidity, which adds lingering flavours to every sip. It’s bottled unfined and unfiltered so is vegan-friendly. 18.5/20

RRP $17.99 Vintners NZ

Martinborough’s Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir is one of the best North Island Pinot Noirs produced.

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 94.

40 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

RRP $53.99 Butterworth Estate

RRP $45 Giesen Group

RRP $105.99 Giesen Group

RRP $45 Hancocks

The Premiere of Our Pioneering Pink Saint Clair Pioneer Block Rosé 1 0 0 % FA M I LY OW N E D, 1 0 0 % N E W Z E A L A N D W I N E , 1 0 0 % S U S TA I N A B L E WWW.SAINTCLAIR.CO.NZ @saintclairfamilyestate @saintclairwine Distributed by: Negociants NZ

@saintclairwine

WINE NEWS

Invivo Air to take to the skies NEW ZEALAND beverage company Invivo & Co will fly a chartered service from Auckland to Queenstown in early 2022 and is taking registrations of interest for those keen to secure a seat on the flight.

The company says that “Invivo Air” is believed to be the world’s first winery “airline” and will make its flight using a chartered 34-seater Swedish built Saab plane.

There will be a number of allocated complimentary seats on the flight for selected guests and Invivo co-founders Rob Cameron and Tim Lightbourne are inviting Aucklanders to register their interest online at invivoair.com before 6pm on 31 March 2022.

Priority for seats will be given to Auckland hospitality and tourism staff who have been affected by the lockdown,

members of the public who didn't see their South Island family or friends in 2021 due to the border closures, and Invivo shareholders from their crowdfunding campaigns.

Guests on the trip will enjoy a 24-hour line-up of special experiences planned

by Invivo and partners in Queenstown, including a stay at the Hilton Queenstown

Resort & Spa, visits to Invivo’s Central Otago growers and more.

“It’s been a tough time, particularly for our bars and restaurant customers in both the North and South Island heavily reliant on local tourism,” says Lightbourne.

“Running a flight to the South Island is a way that we can show the public the country is open again for domestic tourism, and at the same time support some of those who have had a particularly tough time of it. We are not ruling out further flights to other New Zealand destinations as well. At Invivo Air it’s business class in every glass!”

“Invivo Air” passengers will need to comply with all applicable rules and regulations, including showing their valid vaccine pass before boarding. invivoair.com

NZ Winegrowers Mentoring Programme underway INDUSTRY BODY New Zealand Winegrowers has launched its latest Mentoring Programme, which pairs industry veterans with those wishing to focus on their self-development and goals.

It says the programme has been its biggest so far and was highly over-subscribed with a high calibre of applicants. There were 18 matched pairs finalised after the selection process.

“It’s exciting to see how many people from a wide range of roles are wanting to further themselves and their careers within the wine industry,” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at NZ Winegrowers. “Likewise, it’s fantastic to see the passion and generosity of the mentors as they share their vast wine knowledge and experiences to help others thrive.”

The pairs will meet regularly over six to eight months as the mentee sets goals, makes plans to reach them and is encouraged and supported by their mentor.

The mentors are all highly experienced wine industry professionals who volunteer their time and knowledge.

The NZ Winegrowers Mentors are:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Andy Crozier – Burn Cottage Andy Dodds, Cameron McKnight and Francis Hutt –Indevin Dom Maxwell – Greystone Gwyn Williams – Vinecare Jane Hunter – Hunters Jen Parr – Valli Jules Taylor – Jules Taylor Len Ibbotson – Bragato Research Centre Lesley Boon – Pernod Ricard Michelle Richardson – Dionysus Investments Mike Brown – Marlborough Grapegrowers Co-operative MJ Loza and Task Florens – AONZ Nick Entwistle – Rose Family Estate Simon Fell – Villa Maria Philip Gregan – NZ Winegrowers

42 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Chris Scott wins 4th NZ Winemaker of the Year title CHURCH ROAD’S Chief Winemaker Chris Scott was named NZ Winemaker of the Year for an unprecedented fourth time at the annual Winestate Wine of the Year Awards, announced in December.

The Hawke’s Bay winery also won Wine of the Year and Chardonnay of the Year for its Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2019, as well as Merlot of the Year for the Church Road Grand Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019.

Pernod Ricard Winemakers NZ, which owns Church Road, also won NZ Wine Company of the Year.

Chris Scott has now been named NZ Winemaker of the Year in 2021, 2020, 2016 and 2013 by the Australian wine magazine.

“Winning Winemaker of the Year is a real privilege, and to win it four times is just incredible,” said Scott. “It’s such a great testament to the efforts of the entire team here. They’re a great bunch of incredibly talented people and it is through everyone’s dedication and skill that we achieve the results that we do.

“It is also testament to the wonderful region we call home and we’re incredibly proud that we can do our bit to help demonstrate Hawke’s Bay’s ability to produce wines that are amongst the finest in the world.”

Full award details at winestate.com.au

WINE NEWS

Vintage release of Church Road TOM CHURCH ROAD has launched a trio of its topflight TOM collection – 2018 TOM Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, 2019 TOM Syrah and 2020 TOM Chardonnay – marking the first time all three have been released since 2017.

“Simply put, these are our best wines.

No effort is spared,” said Chief Winemaker Chris Scott.

The winery’s TOM range is a salute to Tom McDonald, founder of Church Road and pioneer of Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are regarded as the pinnacle of Church Road’s winemaking, with fruit from the Tuki Tuki Valley, Gimblett Gravels, and the famed Bridge Pa Triangle.

“TOM wines are the ultimate expression of Hawke’s Bay,” said Scott. “A culmination of the

collective experience and understanding of the team, past and present. Seeing all three wines together this year is truly exciting. We only make TOM in extraordinary years, and use the best, carefully selected parcels of fruit from iconic Hawke’s Bay vineyards.”

Church Road TOM Vintage Release

• 2018 Church Road TOM Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, RRP $220 • 2019 Church Road TOM Syrah, RRP $220 • 2020 Church Road TOM Chardonnay, RRP $150 Pernod Ricard

SHOWCASE

The Doctors’ – for lower alcohol lifestyle wines WINE IS part of some of life’s truly magic moments, but with growing awareness around mindful drinking, more consumers are looking for wines that are lower in alcohol when it comes to celebrations with friends and family, long-planned get-togethers and spontaneous catch ups.

Doctors John and Brigid Forrest, founders of familyowned winery Forrest in Marlborough, had recognised the need for lower alcohol options several years ago and set their scientific brains and their creative (ever-restless) minds to finding a solution. The result was The Doctors’ – a range of award-winning quality wines that range from 9-9.5% ABV. The naturally produced and impeccably-crafted lower alcohol lifestyle wines deliver all the enjoyment of a quality wine and the range includes a Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

About Forrest

Forrest is one of New Zealand’s leading family-owned wine producers, renowned for its premium small batch wines. Founded in the late 1980s by John and Brigid Forrest, who had both had successful careers in scientific research and medicine, Forrest is a well-known and respected wine brand in New Zealand and around the world.

To order contact Forrest on 03 572 9084 or sales@forrest.co.nz forrest.co.nz

44 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

New chair for COWA CENTRAL OTAGO Winegrowers (COWA) has announced the appointment of new Independent Board Chairperson Anne Pullar.

The organisation says that Pullar brings a combination of governance experience, community engagement, and strategic thinking to the Board expertise.

Anne Pullar was formerly the deputy CEO of Central Otago District Council, and head of Tourism Central Otago during a very strategic phase in the evolution of the Central Otago brand.

Jake Tipler, General Manager Central Otago Winegrowers said: “We were delighted to have Anne accept the role…Her ongoing work in the community, extensive network of contacts throughout Central Otago and New Zealand, and her wealth of expertise will be a significant contribution to COWA.”

WINE NEWS

SAM BAIN from Villa Maria in Hawke’s Bay was named the 2021 Corteva NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year at the national finals held in Marlborough in late January 2022.

Jess Wilson from Whitehaven Wines in Marlborough placed second and Courtney Sang from Obsidian, Waiheke Island came third.

The other contestants were Albie Feary from Ata Rangi, Tristan van Schalkwyk from The Boneline and Katrina Jackson from Chard Farm.

Sam Bain, who is Vineyard Manager of Spring Hill Vineyard, also won the BioStart Hortisports and the Ecotrellis Trellising Trophy.

The judges commented on the passion and talent of all the contestants and were impressed with their leadership skills and especially their adaptability over the last few months and especially the days

leading up to the competition.

It had been a long road for the six finalists due to COVID postponements: the original competition was set for late August, then rescheduled for November, before being rescheduled again to January.

With the country’s shift to ‘Red’ just days before the event, Nicky Grandorge, National Co-Ordinator, says that plans were quickly changed to ensure the competition was safe to go ahead. It was relocated to a remote ‘secret’ vineyard to keep numbers limited and to be away from a winery or other people. Everything was held outside with all government recommendations followed.

The Awards Dinner was cancelled, although Grandorge says that a

celebration dinner will be held later in the year when safe to do so.

The contestants were tested on a wide range of skills and knowledge including setting up a seed drill, trellising, pest and disease, an interview, frost protection as well as the BioStart Hortisports. They had already previously submitted a research report entitled “Assess various pruning options during Sam Bain a labour shortage”, thus addressing one of the real challenges currently facing the wine industry. Jess Wilson won $1,000 for the best report and presentation.

As 2021 Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year, Sam Bain’s prize package includes a Hyundai Kona for a year, an Ecotrellis travel grant, an educational visit to Australia with Corteva, Bahco golden secateurs and other cash prizes.

SHOWCASE

Mission Estate safeguards heritage through sustainability HERITAGE IS a key pillar for Mission Estate Winery in the Hawke’s Bay. The success of this heritage is underpinned by its sustainability initiatives, which have been at its core for over 170 years.

As one of New Zealand’s most energy and water efficient wineries, Mission has launched ‘The Gaia Project’, a sustainability plan that commits to minimising its impact on Earth and unites its many environmental practices.

Marketing Manager, Jo Pearson says, “The Gaia Project wines communicate our sustainability journey so far and sit in the $15-$20 growth category. They are meticulously crafted for those who are seeking out premium wines while being environmentally conscious.”

The Gaia Project Rosé is proving to be a favourite, with strong distribution gains and consumers repurchasing, a testament to the high quality and delicious fruit character of the wine. New Zealand wine writer, Michael Cooper, rates it five stars

46 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

and describes the debut 2021 vintage as “one of the best Rosés to emerge from the Hawke’s Bay”.

Pearson adds, “We’re also very excited to announce a three-year partnership with the Women of Influence Awards. The launch of The Gaia Project provides the perfect synergy by celebrating Mother

Nature, the embodiment of arguably the most significant woman of all. Mission is extremely excited to be supporting Women of Influence with the opportunity to share our journey in safeguarding heritage through sustainability.” missionestate.co.nz

PHOTO: RICHARD BRIGGS

Sam Bain wins 2021 Corteva NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year

DRINK RESPONSIBLY

LET GO AND FEEL

New Zealand’s Leading Wine Industry Recruitment Platform Leaders in innovation, we are the only wine jobs platform in New Zealand that is mobile optimised.

ADVERTISE YOUR JOBS WITH US TODAY

204,000

13,000

12,250

No.1ranked

website visits per year

job applicants per year

social media followers

on Google for Wine Jobs in NZ

WINE NEWS

New ‘Super Tuscan’-inspired blend from Hans Herzog Estate HANS HERZOG Estate has released a ‘Super Tuscan-inspired’ red blend named ‘Grandezza’.

The name translates from Italian as “magnificent or stately appearance” and the Marlborough winery says it is a first in New Zealand and pays homage to Tuscany’s legendary wines such as ‘Tignanello’ and ‘Solaia’.

The Hans Herzog 2019 Grandezza is a blend of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc from a deliberately tiny yield of 800g per vine for natural concentration.

Winemaker Hans Herzog grows 25 different grape varieties on his organic 11.5-hectare vineyard, which is one of the warmest sites in Marlborough.

“Grandezza represents a landmark in the New Zealand wine industry, especially as

Therese and Hans Herzog with the new release 2019 Grandezza

a producer in Marlborough, a region that accounts for more than 75% of the country’s wine production with 80% planted in the white variety Sauvignon Blanc,” said Therese Herzog, Hans’ wife, who manages the organic estate.

Grandezza is a small batch single vineyard wine using hand-picked fruit, long skin contact, natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts in barrel, no fining, no filtration and matured on its fine lees with 24 months in barrel.

Hans Herzog Estate

Allan Scott wine tops Wine Spectator best value list WINE SPECTATOR magazine unveiled its inaugural ‘Top 10 Wine Values of 2021’ in January, with Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 taking first place on the list.

Spotlighting the best-priced wines of the year, the list features bottles that are rated 90 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale, cost $40 or less and are made in largeenough quantities to be widely available.

“Great wine doesn’t have to be expensive, said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher, Wine Spectator. “In celebration of those wines that overdeliver on quality for the price, we’ve selected our Top 10 Wine Values of 2021. While making these selections, we kept in mind the diversity of the global wine scene, looking for wines with solid track records that are good representatives of their regions.”

The Wine Spectator Top 10 Wine Values of 2021

1 Allan Scott | Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2021 93 Score | $17 | 100,000 Cases Made/45,000 Cases Imported | New Zealand 2 Castello Banfi | Chianti Classico 2019 91 Score | $17 | 40,000 Cases Made/23,000 Cases Imported | Italy 3 J | Pinot Noir Monterey-Sonoma-Santa Barbara Counties Winemaker’s Selection 2018 91 Score | $25 | 65,000 Cases Made | California 4 Bodega Numanthia | Tinta de Toro Toro Termes 2017 91 Score | $24 | 12,500 Cases Made/10,000 Cases Imported | Spain 5 Seghesio | Zinfandel Sonoma County Sonoma 2019 92 Score | $26 | 100,685 Cases Made | California 6 Alois Lageder | Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti Terra Alpina 2019 90 Score | $16 | 19,000 Cases Imported | Italy 7 Dry Creek | Fumé Blanc Sonoma County 2020 92 Score | $16 | 29,000 Cases Made | California 8 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars | Chardonnay Napa Valley Karia 2019 91 Score | $34 | 26,400 Cases Made | California 9 Frei Brothers | Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma Reserve 2018 90 Score | $27 | 40,000 Cases Made | California 10 Cambria | Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Katherine’s Vineyard 2019 91 Score | $22 | 52,000 Cases Made | California.

SHOWCASE

Keep your Bright Eyes open for a new release RENOWNED CENTRAL Otago winery Chard Farm is offering a new look at Pinot Noir through a white wine lens. The just-released Bright Eyes White Pinot 2021 is crafted from premium Central Otago Pinot Noir grapes that were hand-picked cold and delicately pressed, colour removed and then fermented as white juice.

The result is a fresh, crisp white wine perfect for those lazy summer days.

Best served chilled.

“Seductively fruity with flavours of pear, quince, fresh apple flesh and white baking spices in a dry style.”

– Cameron Douglas MS Bright Eyes White Pinot 2021 – out now RRP $23.99

To order contact Rabbit Ranch on 03 442 6110 rabbitranch.co.nz

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 49

BEER & CIDER REPORT

JUST CHILL The latest beer and cider releases for summer’s beach days and barbecues…

50 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

BEER & CIDER – NEW RELEASES

Note: Beers and ciders are listed in order of % ABV.

BEER Big Drop Brewing Co. Poolside DDH IPA 0.5% ABV, 375ml RRP $4.99 Long Breeze Distributors

British zero alcohol specialists Big Drop are leading the guilt-free charge with beers like this double dry hopped IPA. It’s a classic hop-fest that fuses tropical flavours to recreate the intensity of a double IPA with notes of pineapple, citrus, pine and stonefruit with a big juicy mango hit at the end. A real summer thirst quencher.

Sunshine Brewing Light Pilsner 2.4% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $19.99 Vintners

Sunshine produces beautifully drinkable beers bursting with Gisborne warmth, and this new light pilsner is no different.

Pouring pale and golden in the glass, it’s a crisp, clean drop with a light hop bitterness that leaves you wanting more.

Eminently sessionable, low-carb and at 2.4% it’s a great option for those looking for something that’s full of flavour and lower in alcohol.

Good George Social League Low Carb* Hazy IPA 4.2% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $22 Good George

Social League has all the flavour of a full IPA but with less carbs than Good George’s other hazy IPAs. The drop delivers a smooth mouthfeel with pineapple citrus aromas. Its lower alcohol content also makes it a good summer session option. *Lower carb compared with other Good George beers

Speight’s Summit Ultra with Lime 4.2% ABV, 330ml 12-pack RRP $23.99 Lion

Speight’s Summit Ultra with Lime is the latest addition to Lion’s low-carb Speight’s Summit Ultra range. Refreshing and easy-drinking, with a crisp dry finish and a hint of lime, it has 75% less carbs than the average carb content of leading New Zealand beer.

Sunshine Brewing XPA

4.5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $19.99 Vintners

Here’s a delicious drop just crying out for a hot summer’s afternoon. Light and crisp with good hop bitterness, there are notes of mango, pineapple and summer fruits on a lightly malted base. It’s easy to see why this was a Gold Medal winner at the Brewers Guild Awards 2021.

Fortune Favours Optimist Hazy IPA 4.7% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $22.99 CCEP

Wellington brewers Fortune Favours have formulated a smooth and juicy hazy IPA in this new release. The Kohatu and Taiheke hops in the brew bring big, juicy, tropical flavours and sweet citrus notes to a smooth and easy-drinking hazy body. Żywiec Wheat IPA

4.8% ABV, 500ml RRP $5.99 Q Liquid

Żywiec Brewery is one of the largest beer producers in Poland. Founded in 1856 in the town of the same name, it was originally owned by the Habsburg Imperial Family. Żywiec’s Wheat IPA is an American hopped white IPA with a light, sweet character and hop characteristics provided by Falconer’s Flight, Amarillo and Chinook hops.

It’s easy to see why Sunshine Brewing XPA was a Gold Medal winner at the Brewers Guild Awards.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 51

BEER & CIDER – NEW RELEASES

Good George Deckchair Hazy IPA 5.2% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $22 Good George

This is an eminently drinkable drop from Hamilton brewers Good George that is bursting with tropical fruit flavours.

Pouring golden and hazy in the glass, it has notes of passionfruit and peach, a medium bitterness and resinous hop flavour. A golden, juicy, hazy IPA with all the hoppy goodness you could want.

8-Wired’s Alpha Code West Coast IPA is a feast for the senses for hop fanatics, and the sci-fi style can is a classic too.

8-Wired A Fistful of Raspberries Barrel Aged Sour

Sprig + Fern Crème of the Hop Nectaron Pale Ale

8-Wired have gone big with this sour.

Arriving in the big 500ml bottle and pouring a luminous ginger colour, the nose signals that it’s going to be all about the raspberries. This is a sour beer in the Belgian style, aged in wine barrels and then re-fermented with puréed raspberries. The raspberries work perfectly with the sourness and keep you coming back for more. Recommended.

This limited release from Sprig + Fern draws on the famed Nectaron hop, which was 17 years in the making. The pale ale has intense tropical, citrus and stonefruit notes, bound together with some toasty malt and sweetness. An expertly-made warm weather beer for the hop aficionados.

5.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $16.99 8-Wired

5.7% ABV, 440ml RRP $6.59 Sprig & Fern

McLeod’s Van Life Unfiltered Pale Ale 5.8% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 McLeod’s Brewery

A hop-bomb of U.S. Idaho 7 and New Zealand Riwaka. This new offering from Waipu brewery McLeod’s has booming, dank, grassy aromas that meld deliciously with orange peel and capsicum notes.

52 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

8-Wired Alpha Code West Coast IPA 6% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 8-Wired

This American West Coast-style IPA from 8-Wired is laden with hop flavours. It’s a clear, amber colour, and in the mouth there are hints of sweetness that mingle with piney hops. The finish is bitter and resinous; it’s a feast for the senses for hop fanatics. The can is a classic too – it looks like something out of a 90s sci-fi.

McLeod’s Hammock Solberry Saison 6% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 McLeod’s Brewery

Local Solberries (sweet golden raspberries) are paired with ultra-dry Saison yeast for this gem from McLeod’s. It’s bursting with soft tropical berries and layers of yeastinspired spice over a lightly tart finish.

Epic Panama Hazy IPA 6.1% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 Epic

The seaside hammock slung between two palm trees on the can for Epic’s Panama Hazy IPA perfectly sums up the vibe of this new release. It’s juicy and tropical and bursting with fruit flavours.

BEER & CIDER – NEW RELEASES

Boneface Revolution

Epic Cryopop IPA

Boneface Prophets of Rage

Upper Hutt brewers Boneface have teamed up with hop purveyors Hop Revolution and Verdant Brewing in Cornwall, England, to come up with this New England IPA. It uses New Zealand Pacific Sunrise hops to produce flavours of tangerine, rock melon, white pepper and juicy fruit gum alongside “a classic New Zealand grassiness”.

Epic are no strangers to massive hop flavours and Cryopop is another example of them having fun with just how hoppy they can get. This IPA uses concentrated lupulin pellets that draw out the hop flavour and aroma so beloved in a hoppy IPA, and are a blend of lupulin from different hop varieties, rather than one single hop. Boom.

Emporium Handsome Herbert Saison

McLeod’s Up North IPA

A re-creation of one of their brewer’s homebrew recipes, Prophets of Rage is a Belgian Golden Strong Ale. It’s a sweet, spicy brew with a bit of funk provided by a famous Belgian brewery’s yeast strain. Czech Saaz hops give a soft, herbal bitterness and the yeast character brings classic nuances of spices and lemon citrus. Ideal paired with raw shellfish, or the Belgian classic of steamed mussels.

6.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 Boneface Brewing

6.7% ABV, 330ml RRP $5 – also in keg Emporium Brewing

This new release from Kaikoura brewery Emporium pours a lovely, light straw colour. The aroma is full of black pepper spice with a light floral note. The taste has an upfront burst of sweet pear that finishes with a dry spiciness.

6.9% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 Epic

7% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 McLeod’s Brewery

Like summer in a can, this IPA is jampacked with U.S. El Dorado and New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops. It’s all big, ripe melon and citrus with grassy gooseberries underpinned by soft, bready maltiness. Moreish and hoppy.

McLeod’s 802 #40 Unfiltered IPA 6.8% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 McLeod’s Brewery

This is the latest release in McLeod’s 802 series of fresh, unfiltered beers. It showcases Centennial and Eclipse hops – with the latter (a newbie from Australia) slinging juicy mandarin and ripe melon notes over a pine needle floor.

McLeod’s 802 #40 is the latest release in the brewery’s series of fresh, unfiltered beers.

8.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 Boneface Brewing

Deep Creek Mademoiselle Espresso Martini Stout 8.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 Hancocks

Deep Creek have hit it out of the park with this dark beauty of a beer. Pouring a silky black in the glass, the nose has big notes of roasted coffee. A good espresso martini has three principal flavours: espresso, chocolate and a good whack of alcohol. Deep Creek’s rendition doesn’t disappoint, with all three evident in exemplary balance. A perfect end to an evening.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 53

BEER & CIDER – NEW RELEASES

The craft beer boom has come to cider with Morningcider’s new Apple IPA.

CIDERS

Rekorderlig Ultra Passionfruit

Peckham’s Wild Feijoa

Good George Doris Plum Low Sugar* Cider

A low sugar cider with a punch of passionfruit and a light, crisp finish.

Peckham’s have played to their strengths with this new offering: showing off their cider making craft and using the fruit as an accent on top. Making use of cider apple varieties Harry Masters Jersey, Sweet Alford, Yarlington Mill, and Knotted Kernel, the cider is wild fermented with hand-peeled feijoas. The result is a smooth, medium dry cider overlaid with subtle and yet distinct feijoa notes.

4.5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $15.99 DB

4.5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $21 Good George

Good George’s original Doris Plum Cider has been popular since its launch and it’s now available in a lower sugar variety.

It still has the same seductive magenta colour, and the flavour profile of plum, apple and grape is still slightly sweet, tart and refreshing, but the new release has half the sugar than the original. *50% less sugar than regular Good George Doris Plum Cider.

Morningcider Cherry Bomb 4.5% ABV, 330ml RRP $4.30 Morningcider

A pretty pink in the glass, Morningcider’s Cherry Bomb mixes Central Otago cherries with a classic apple cider. The addition of brown sugar and cinnamon makes for a full-blown dessert of a cider. A real sweet treat.

Rekorderlig Ultra Berry

4.5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $15.99 DB

Morningcider Lucky Taco 4.9% ABV, 330ml RRP $4.30 Morningcider

Auckland cidery Morningcider teamed up with locals Otis and Sarah Frizzell who run taco truck and hot sauce outfit The Lucky Taco to create this spicy number.

Together, they have fused cider with habanero chilli, ginger, honey, lemon and lime to create a refreshing drop stacked with Mexican flavours. Frizzell, an artist, has also designed the striking can, which has huge shelf appeal.

Peckham’s Elderflower Cider 5.1% ABV, 330ml RRP $4.99 Peckham’s

Elderflowers picked wild from the Moutere riverbanks are at the heart of this release from Peckham’s. They are infused in cider to create a light, summery and fresh offering full of delicate floral notes.

One of the tasting panel called it “the Vouvray of ciders”. Heavenly.

5.8% ABV, 330ml RRP $5.99 Peckham’s

Morningcider Apple IPA 6% ABV, 330ml RRP $4.30 Morningcider

The craft beer boom has come to cider with Morningcider’s take on an IPA. They’ve taken a burly dry cider and dry hopped it, infusing it with the same classic flavours of the now-familiar ale. The brilliant cat and stars artwork on the can is inspired by a local mural that used to be next to the train tracks in the central Auckland suburb of Morningside.

There’s a medley of berries in the new release from Rekorderlig. It’s a low sugar cider with full berry flavour and balanced sweetness.

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 94.

54 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

S B R A C S 75% LES .

E M I L H NOW WIT

*

g. n i h s e r f e R & p s i r C

Only es

i calor

ASK YOUR LION NZ SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR MORE DETAILS. Or to enquire about registering for an account with Lion, phone our Service Excellence Centre on 0800 10 72 72.

*THAN THE AVERAGE CARB CONTENT OF LEADING NZ BEER BRANDS.

OPINION – BEER

Michael Donaldson

Beer Writer of the Year, journalist and author beernation.co.nz

Fruity little numbers Michael Donaldson explains the world of fruited beers and why we’re likely to see many, many more of them…

FRUIT AND beer are partners that go way back in human history. Before humans settled into agricultural life, growing grain to make alcohol, beer was made from whatever fermentable products could be found. This depended mostly on what continent the brewer lived, so anything that could be converted into ethanol was used, such as corn, sorghum, honey or fruit.

Eventually, modern beer settled on malt and hops as the two main ingredients. But fruit has always been there at the edges.

In Belgium, it never went away. ‘Kriek’, made with cherries, or ‘Framboise’, with raspberries, are deeply ingrained in that country’s beer culture.

Even in Germany, with the so-called “purity law”, the classic way to have a ‘Berliner Weisse’ (a sour wheat beer) is with the addition of a sweet syrup, either almond-flavoured woodruff or raspberry.

So, the very modern trend of making fruit-flavoured beers is nothing new at all.

We’ve long had berries added to stouts for a flavour twist, while breadfruit and plantain are two more esoteric ingredients in Garage Project’s stunningly good Mutiny on the Bounty stout.

Occasionally, fruit will pop up in a traditional IPA – usually grapefruit, passionfruit or yuzu –all fruits that riff off the kind of flavour that hops bring to beer. With the rise of hazy IPAs we’re seeing more stonefruit such as mango and apricot coming in, again these are fruit flavours that play nicely alongside hops.

But it’s in the sour beers, in the manner of the Belgians, where fruit can really express itself, rather than being a sideshow for hops or malts.

56 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Fruited sours come in a range of guises these days. There’s the barrel-aged variety defined by 8-Wired’s Wild Feijoa Ale, in which whole feijoas are stuffed into a barrel of wild-ferment beer and aged for a year. The latest edition, the 2021 vintage, is due out soon.

But it’s in the sour beers where fruit can really express itself, rather than being a sideshow for hops or malts.

Then you’ve got the fruited kettle sours, which are the most common. Most Kiwi breweries will have a passionfruit sour, a raspberry sour, a yuzu sour or combinations of flavours, many often riffing off cocktail flavours.

But what’s really sparking punters’ tastebuds are best described as “ice cream sours”. This “style” was pioneered in New Zealand by Duncan’s in Paraparaumu with their head-turning Raspberry Ripple in 2018. Duncan’s use a lot of lactose for

a creamy mouthfeel, and the addition of vanilla on top of buckets of fruit pulp creates a refreshing sweet-sour drop that sometimes feels like drinking fruit juice rather than beer.

Another stunning example is Derelict’s Lemon Meringue. Described as a smoothie sour or a pastry sour, it’s made with lactose, vanilla, fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. As you’d expect, it tastes just like lemon meringue.

Over this summer, Deep Creek took the fruited sours one step further when they became the first brewery to brew beers with fruit added after fermentation. In the United States and Britain these beers have been controversial for their propensity to create exploding cans, as the fruit is fermented after packaging and the increased carbon dioxide blows the can open. Breweries were criticised for putting the pressure on buyers to keep these beers cold enough to ensure the yeast stayed dormant and the cans intact.

But Deep Creek ensured that none of theirs would explode by pasteurising the beer, which is an expensive process that most small breweries can’t afford.

Their trio of fruited sours, all at 5% ABV or lower, are called Berrylicious, which does what it says, Hey Piña, which is like a jazzed-up lime and soda, and is super refreshing, and Mango Tango, which delivers huge passionfruit and mango and is reminiscent of fruit juice.

Deep Creek admits these beer-fruit juice hybrids are aimed at a young, nontraditional beer audience, but they seem to be hitting the spot, as the first batch vanished faster than an ice-block on a summer’s day.

BEER & CIDER NEWS

SHOWCASE

Speight's Summit Ultra with Lime

LION HAS RELEASED Speight’s Summit Ultra with Lime – a new expression of its popular Speight’s Summit Ultra low carb lager.

Speight’s has become the #1 beer brand in New Zealand, following the success of Speight’s Summit Ultra - NZ’s #1 low carb beer brand1. The Lighter Options beer segment in New Zealand is growing at +27.4% with Speight’s leading this growth +80.06%1.

Emily Rogers from the Speight’s Marketing team says that consumers’ relationship with alcohol is changing, and Lighter Options are influencing their choices. “We’ve added a hint of lime to our popular Summit Ultra recipe to create Speight’s Summit Ultra with Lime and it’s tasting great.”

Speight’s Summit Ultra has a crisp, drier finish with 75% less carbs than the average carb content of leading New Zealand beer.

4.2% ABV, 330ml 12-pack RRP $23.99 Lion NZ 1 NIELSEN MAT SCAN DATA VOLUME 23/01/2022

58 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Brewing sector “vital” says Brewers Assoc NZ THE BREWERS Association of New Zealand is highlighting figures that show the brewing industry in New Zealand remains a strong contributor to the economy, despite being impacted

by COVID-19.

It commissioned research from New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) to evaluate the brewing industry and its contribution to the economy.

According to the findings, released in January, the brewing industry contributes significantly to GDP and generates over $900 million in revenue for the government.

The study reveals the New Zealand brewing industry was worth $2.8 billion in the year to September 2021. Within these value chains, $637 million was in value added (GDP). The brewing industry supports over 6,600 jobs through brewing and the purchase of intermediate inputs into the brewing process, paying over $409 million in wages.

“Once again, we see this year that the brewing sector is a vital part of the economy, providing jobs, value-add on primary products and considerable revenue to government in the form of excise tax and GST, which is continually important, especially in a time of increased government spending and debt,” said Dylan Firth, Executive Director of The Brewers Association of New Zealand.

Firth highlighted that the brewing industry contributed $910 million last year in GST ($426 million) and Excise Tax (estimated $480 million for 2021) to government revenue.

“Looking back on 2021 we can acknowledge the great work those in the sector do to enable some of these positive economic contributions. But it is not without the shadow of the pandemic and its related effects. On-licence sales were the most negatively impacted by COVID-19, as a lack of tourism, forced closures and social distancing requirements impacted sales at bars and restaurants. The report shows that while overall volumes of beer sold in hospitality venues are a smaller proportion of overall beer sales, they are the biggest driver of value for brewers and hospitality businesses.”

“The continued inflationary pressures on the price of input goods, logistics costs driven up by COVID-related factors and increases in overall regulatory costs have seen the price of producing a pint of beer go up substantially in the last 12 months.”

Firth also highlighted the growth in low-alcohol beers (defined as those less than 1.15% ABV) which have increased 1,116% since 2016, along with more than 33% growth in the low carb category, making it 8% of the entire beer market. brewers.org.nz

Orchard Thieves Rosé Cider goes Gold at brewing ‘Oscars’ DB’S ORCHARD Thieves Rosé Cider was named the Gold medal winner in the new Cider Innovation Rosé category at the International Brewing and Cider Awards 2021.

The awards, which are part of the world’s most historic international beer and cider competition, have become known as the ‘Oscars’ of the brewing and cider world and took place in the UK in late November 2021.

A Gold, Silver and Bronze medal is awarded in each category.

New categories were announced in 2021 to reflect key trends that have emerged in the beer and cider markets since the last event in 2019. In the beer competition, a new Zero Alcohol category was added and in the cider competition the Rosé category was added

to reflect the growing trend for ‘pink’ ciders.

Orchard Thieves Rosé cider was one of 126 medal winners from around the world and the only one from New Zealand. It is made in DB Breweries’ Nelson-based Redwood Cidery.

David Sax, Chief Cidermaker at Redwood Cidery, was thrilled with the global recognition.

“This cider uses the unusual red fleshed apple varieties ‘Geneva’ and ‘Red Love’.

These red fleshed apples are used for their fantastic colour and their tartness (which is rhubarb-like) so perfectly balance the cider. This combination gives the cider a rosé wine character that matches the stunning blush colour.”

Full results of the International Brewing and Cider Awards at brewingawards.org

BEER & CIDER NEWS

New World Beer & Cider Awards 2022 underway

Good George Fog City now in 6-packs HAMILTON BREWERS Good George are releasing their popular Fog City Hazy IPA in 330ml 6-packs. The beer was made in tribute to the infamous Hamilton Fog and is full of juicy, tropical and citrus flavour with a smooth, creamy finish.

Good George Fog City Hazy IPA, 5.8% ABV, 330ml-6-pack RRP $24.

Good George

Puhoi Beer teams up with Hancocks Puhoi Beer is joining forces with Hancocks Wine, Spirits & Beer Merchants to exclusively distribute their products nationwide. Founded

by Scott Rice and Heath Moy, Puhoi has carved out a growing reputation for serious quality beer delivered in a fun and casual Kiwi way. Puhoi Beer is a classic Czech-style Pilsner and available in 6 x 330ml retail pack and 30L steel kegs.

A DEDICATED class for low-alcohol beers and a Supreme Award are two new additions to this year’s New World Beer & Cider Awards.

Entries are open until Friday 18 February and results will be announced later in 2022.

The competition is open to local and international brands with the Top 30 winning brews to be sold in 140 New World supermarkets around New Zealand and receive comprehensive promotional support.

Entrants do not need to be an existing New World or Foodstuffs supplier but must be able to provide supermarket compliant product and meet minimum stock amounts.

Organisers have announced the introduction of a new dedicated class for low-alcohol beers (under 1.15% ABV) in the 2022 awards.

Chair of Judges Michael Donaldson says it’s a category that has seen phenomenal growth in both scale and quality over recent years. “We’ve had low- and no-alcohol entries in the past, including some very impressive Top 30 winners. Introducing this new class is a response to growing consumer demand for these alternatives and a great way to create space for producer innovations to shine.”

As in previous years, an expert panel of 32 independent judges will assess each entry based on technical excellence as well as balance and drinkability to determine the overall Top 30.

The 2022 awards will also feature a new Supreme Winner — the top performer from the Top 30 — as well as the 70 Highly Commended brews to create an overall Top 100 list.

Details at newworld.co.nz/nwbca

Hancocks

EVErCHANGING PATTErNS IN YOUr MOUTH

MALTY

HOPPY

LIGHT

DArK

sweet

bitter

Bourbon and world whiskeys continue to grow in popularity in New Zealand, with something for every palate and price point…

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

BOURBON RRP $40 - $59.99 Woodstock Bourbon 37% ABV, 1L RRP $41.99 Asahi NZ

A good value Kentucky bourbon that is ideal for mixing in the classic bourbon and cola, or serving straight. Smooth and approachable.

Old Forester 80 Proof 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $44.99 Hancocks

There’s a strong floral character in the sharp, sweet aroma of this Kentucky bourbon, alongside hints of mint, rich tobacco leaf and vanilla. The flavour softens quickly with hints of oak, sweet corn and rye grain. It is spicy with soft vanilla and light orange notes. The finish is long, warm and slightly drying with a touch of sweetness.

Wild Turkey American Honey 35.5% ABV 700ml RRP $44.99 Lion

A blend of Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey with pure honey. It has aromas of orange and caramel with a rich flavour of sweet honey, orange and caramel.

Jim Beam White

Wild Turkey Rye

This is the classic expression of Jim Beam, which is the world’s number one-selling Kentucky bourbon. It has aromas of oak with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon, while the flavour is caramel and spicy fruit with subtle coffee and chocolate. Full-flavoured with a smooth finish.

A deeper, “alligator” char is used for this whiskey, which pays tribute to America’s first distilled spirit: rye whiskey. Wild Turkey Rye has bold rye flavour balanced with big vanilla, butterscotch and spice notes.

37% ABV, 1L RRP $46.99 Beam Suntory

Jim Beam Black

43% ABV, 1L RRP $50.99 Beam Suntory

40.5% ABV 700ml RRP $51.99 Lion

Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 43.4% ABV, 1L RRP $53.99 Lion

This extra-aged version of Jim Beam is a smooth, more flavourful style than the original, with a rich texture. It has aromas of vanilla, oak and spices that are echoed on the palate, along with tropical fruits.

It has a long finish, with charcoal flavours coming through at the end.

This bourbon is aged for five to eight years in American white oak barrels that have the deepest, No. 4 “alligator” char. With notes of sweet vanilla, pear and hints of spice, it finishes with a full, rich flavour.

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut

Wild Turkey 101

45% ABV, 1L RRP $51.99 Beam Suntory

This bourbon gets its name from the liquid that becomes trapped in the wood of the barrel during ageing, dubbed “the devil’s cut” – essentially the opposite of “the angels’ share”. The team at Jim Beam found a way to extract it, and then blend it with extra aged Kentucky straight bourbon. The Devil’s Cut is bottled at a slightly higher 45% ABV for a robust bourbon designed to be served neat or on the rocks.

RRP $60 - $79.99 50.5% ABV 700ml RRP $61.99 Lion

This bourbon is made with a high rye content, then aged in American white oak barrels with the deepest char for more character. The 101 refers to the proof at which it’s bottled.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 61

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Wild Turkey Longbranch

Redemption Bourbon

This deep amber bourbon has a complex aroma of vanilla, mint and molasses.

Flavours of brown sugar and spice give way to oak, toffee, dark fruit and anise.

The finish is long and smooth.

Longbranch is made with eight-yearold Wild Turkey Bourbon and uses two charcoal filtrations – the first using charcoal from American white oak, and the second made from Texas Mesquite wood. The bright gold bourbon has aromas of vanilla and spices with flavours of caramel, pear, and hints of citrus on the palate. The finish is buttery, smooth and smoky, with notes of gentle pepper and toasted oak.

Aged three years in new charred oak barrels and with a mash bill of 75% corn, this bourbon has a classic sweet taste with notes of vanilla and caramel from the wood, and some light spice flavour from the rye. It’s bottled at 42% for a lighter experience. Serve on the rocks or in mixed drinks.

Rebel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

This twice-barrelled bourbon is matured in two charred oak barrels, with the second barrel deeply toasted before a light charring to extract additional soft, sweet oak character. It has rich aromas of dark fruit, caramel, honey, chocolate, marzipan and toasted oak, while on the palate it is a full-bodied mix of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, apple, fruit and spices. The finish is long and creamy with lingering hints of honeyed apple.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Federal Merchants

Jim Beam Double Oak 43% ABV, 1L RRP $69.99 Beam Suntory

A twice-barrelled version of Jim Beam, where the bourbon is poured into a second freshly charred barrel to mature further. This added interaction gives hints of toasted wood in the aroma, along with caramel and vanilla, while there is a distinctive spiced oakiness on the palate alongside intense caramel and toffee.

Maker’s Mark

40% ABV, 1L RRP $69.99 Beam Suntory

A bright gold bourbon bottled under a distinctive red wax seal. Maker’s Mark has aromas of vanilla and soft caramel that continue on the palate, along with spice, fresh oak and a hint of smoke.

62 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

43% ABV 750ml RRP $69.99 Lion

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $70 Proof & Company

A smooth, wheated bourbon made in one of Kentucky’s oldest distilleries. Aromas of honey and butter lead to a palate rich with raisin and warm spice.

Batch 10 Honey Bourbon 36% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Premium Liquor Co.

A blend of Kentucky bourbon with organic New Zealand honey. The honey is visible in the bottle as a swirl of sediment.

Batch 10 has a rich honey aroma with dark caramel and a hint of char. On the palate it is honeyed up front, followed by caramel overlaying the spice and wood of the bourbon with a touch of smoke.

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Premium Liquor Co.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 43.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Hancocks

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Old Forester Statesman was inspired by the characters in the film Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon

RRP $80 - $149.99

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $75 Thirsty Camel

Knob Creek

Father and son master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell, of Wild Turkey fame, bring their nearly 100 years of combined experience to this bourbon. This hand selected small batch bourbon has a rich caramel and vanilla taste and a smooth finish.

This bourbon whiskey is aged nine years, creating a deep, classic bourbon flavour with a natural oak sweetness. Luscious and full-bodied with a long, smooth finish.

Basil Hayden’s

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99 Beam Suntory

An easy-drinking bourbon with a high-rye mash bill for a refined, approachable taste profile with a spicier character. Aromas of charred oak, vanilla and caramel with hints of dried fruit continue on the palate with a touch of black pepper. The finish is long, with charred oak and a touch of dried fruit.

Maker’s Mark 46

47% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99 Beam Suntory

This was the first bourbon in Maker’s Mark wood-finishing series and was created to amplify the flavours in the original Maker’s Mark. It is aged longer with special seared French oak staves added later in the process for a bold, smooth taste. First released in 2010, Maker’s Mark 46 was the first new major expression to be created at the Maker’s Mark Distillery since its original bourbon went into production in 1953.

50% ABV 700ml RRP $84.99 Beam Suntory

Old Forester Statesman 47.5% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

This bourbon was inspired by the characters in the 2017 film Kingsman: The Golden Circle. It has aromas of rich chocolate, clove and oak spice with an undercurrent of raw vanilla. In the mouth there is buttery leather, pepper, cinnamon bark and sharp citrus leading to a finish of intense spice and eucalyptus that fades into orange cream and caramel.

Johnny Drum Private Stock Bourbon 50.5% ABV, 750ml RRP $90 Tickety-Boo

Part of the Willett Family Estate brand family, this bourbon has aromas of sour apple, vanilla and oak. The flavours are of rich fruit, vanilla and spice.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed 56.4% ABV 700ml RRP $91.99 Lion

A smooth barrel proof whiskey with notes of sweet tobacco and hints of orange and mint.

Baker’s

53.5% ABV, 750ml RRP $99.99 Beam Suntory

Every bottle of Baker’s comes from a single barrel aged for at least seven years, meaning no two bottles are exactly alike.

It has aromas of fruit, vanilla and caramel and is a medium-bodied bourbon with flavours of oak, toasted nuts and vanilla. Warm and rounded on the finish.

Rowan’s Creek Small Batch Bourbon 50.05% ABV, 750ml RRP $100 Tickety-Boo

Part of Kentucky’s Willett Distillery brand family, the Rowan’s Creek Small Batch Bourbon has aromas of caramel and vanilla with herbal and floral undertones.

This continues on the palate, which is initially oily but finishes dry with notes of oak and lingering spice.

Legent

47% ABV 700ml $109.99 Beam Suntory

This unique collaboration combines Kentucky distilling with Japanese blending and was first released in 2019. Legent (pronounced “lee-jent”) was created by Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe and Chief Blender of Suntory, Shinji Fukuyo. It is made from a Kentucky Straight Bourbon using the Jim Beam recipe, which is then aged in wine and sherry casks before being blended with more Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It has a classic bourbon character rounded out by rich notes of fruit and spice from its cask ageing.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 63

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Michter’s US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon 45.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Tickety-Boo

This bourbon from American whiskey company Michter’s is made using charred new American white oak barrels. It has flavours of rich caramel with balanced vanilla, stone fruit notes, smoky depth with an oak finish. The term ‘US1’ in its name refers to Michter’s heritage, dating back to America’s first whiskey company.

Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon 47% ABV, 750ml RRP $110 Tickety-Boo

The strikingly opulent bottle for this bourbon was fashioned using the blueprints for the original still at the Willett distillery, which was founded in Kentucky in 1936. The bourbon has aromas of vanilla cake, while the palate features caramel, vanilla, spice and citrus.

Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon Whiskey 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $110 Thirsty Camel

Made from 100% Texas yellow corn and aged in small American oak barrels in Houston, the team at Yellow Rose say that it is the 15-20º temperature swings in the area that give the bourbon its unique characteristics. It has an intense aroma of rich caramel and vanilla with a hint of floral and is sweet and rich in the mouth.

A long finish with lingering caramel and vanilla.

64 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Noah’s Mill Small Batch Bourbon 57.15% ABV, 750ml RRP $125 Tickety-Boo

A lush, rich whiskey from Willett in Kentucky. There are walnuts, prunes, and floral notes on the nose, which persist on the palate, alongside a hint of lavender. The finish has a lengthy burnt caramel character.

The team at Houston distillery Yellow Rose says that it is the 15-20º temperature swings in the area that give the bourbon its unique characteristics.

Eagle Rare

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $129 Federal Merchants

This bourbon is aged for no less than 10 years and has complex aromas of toffee with hints of orange peel, herbs, honey, leather and oak. The taste is bold, dry and delicate with notes of candied almonds and very rich cocoa leading to a dry and lingering finish.

Bib & Tucker Bourbon 46% ABV, 750ml RRP 129.99 Premium Liquor Co.

A six year old bourbon aged in charred American white oak barrels to create a smooth, balanced spirit with a hint of sweetness. Intense vanilla aromas sit alongside fresh-cut grass, wet stone and aged leather. Vanilla and leather continue in the mouth and evolve into a warm, lightly crisp palate with a touch of spice.

The finish is lingering with a complex, yet balanced chestnutty taste.

Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 46.5% ABV, 750ml RRP $130 Proof & Company

This straight bourbon features a delicate fusion of flavours in a handpicked blend of 4- and 7-year-old bourbons. It has aromas of rye spice, leather and cherries; smoked caramel flavour and a finish of smoky oak and brown sugar.

RRP $150 and above Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon Whiskey 2021 Release 54% ABV, 700ml RRP $184.99 Tickety-Boo

This bourbon whiskey honours the legacy of the distillery known as Bomberger’s in the 1800s, that became Michter’s in the following century. Aromas of toast and buttery caramel with some plum, intense but smooth on the palate with burnt sugar and chocolate.

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Michter’s US1 Toasted Barrel Kentucky Bourbon

Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon

Ageing Michter’s US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon in a second custom-made barrel that is toasted, rather than charred gives this bourbon campfire character, with notes of cinnamon, pecan and candied fruit. The lingering finish is of baked pears, vanilla and marshmallow.

Distiller Dixon Dedman named this bourbon as a tribute to his great-great grandfather, whose barrels of bourbon were seized by the government just ahead of Prohibition in the USA. ‘Confiscated’ blends 6-, 9-, 10-, and 12-year old distillates to create a complex nose full of gardenia and honeysuckle, along with grape, red apple, banana and toasty sourdough. On the palate there are characters of toffee, muted sweet cinnamon spice, and fresh-squeezed orange juice, balanced with white grapes and finishing with a hint of cayenne.

45.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $199.99 Tickety-Boo

Michter’s 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon 47.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $224.99 Tickety-Boo

Specially chosen new charred American white oak barrels are used to age this bourbon for more than a decade, creating big and bold flavours of dark toffee and caramel, charred oak, maple syrup and vanilla.

EH Taylor Small Batch Bourbon 50% ABV, 750ml RRP $249 Federal Merchants

This bourbon has been aged inside century-old warehouses constructed by E.H. Taylor Jr, who is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the bourbon industry. It has flavours of caramel corn sweetness, mingled with butterscotch and liquorice. The finish has a soft mouth-feel that develops into subtle spices of pepper and tobacco.

66 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

48.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $250 Tickety-Boo

Stagg Jr

67.2% ABV, 750ml RRP $375 Federal Merchants

Uncut and unfiltered, this is a robust bourbon whiskey that has been aged for nearly a decade. There is rich, sweet chocolate and brown sugar on the palate, mingled with bold rye spiciness. The lengthy finish has hints of cherries, cloves and smoke.

Kentucky Owl Batch #10 Bourbon 60.1% ABV, 700ml RRP $479.99 Tickety-Boo

This 2021 batch release from Kentucky Owl has aromas of orchard fruits, maple candy and oak. On the palate there is sweet caramel, toffee vanilla and floral fruity notes with a finish full of soft vanilla sweetness alongside cayenne pepper and cinnamon spice.

WORLD WHISKEY RRP $40 - $59.99 Canadian Club 1858 40% ABV, 1L RRP $44.99 Beam Suntory

Canadian Club’s flagship whiskey is named for its year of creation. It’s smooth, with spice and zest on the palate hints of oak and sweet vanilla. The finish is clean, dry and lingering with subtle oak.

Canadian Club Spiced 37% ABV, 1L RRP $44.99 Beam Suntory

A new twist on Canadian Club Original, blended with vanilla, allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, clove and juniper berry. A sweet grain and spicy aroma, with flavours of sweet fruit and spices and a long finish.

Bushmills Original 40% ABV, 1L RRP $49.99 Lion

A blend of triple-distilled malt whiskey with a lighter grain whiskey. The aroma is light and fruity with a touch of spice and vanilla. In the mouth it is gently warming with slight honey sweetness, while the finish is crisp and fresh with a hint of spice.

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Canadian Club 8YO 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Beam Suntory

Aromas of toffee, toasted oak and vanilla leading to a palate of English toffee and rich mellow oak with soft nutmeg and clove. The finish is warm and dry with lingering caramel and vanilla.

Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey 33% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 Federal Merchants

Fireball is a blend of Canadian whiskey with natural cinnamon flavour. Makers of Fireball, Sazerac Company in New Orleans, describe it as like “coming face to face with a fire-breathing dragon who just ate a whisky barrel full of spicy cinnamon”.

Jameson Black Barrel 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 Pernod Ricard

A combination of American oak, sherry casks, and double charred bourbon barrels are used to age this whiskey, which is made from single Irish pot still whiskey and a rare small batch grain whiskey. It has intense notes of vanilla sweetness and caramel, alongside toasted wood, fruit and warm spice.

Slane Irish Whiskey 40% ABV, 700ml $54.99 Hancocks

Three varieties of casks are used for ageing this whiskey: virgin and seasoned casks made at the Brown-Forman cooperages, and Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. The whiskey has complex aromas of fruit, caramel, vanilla, brown spice and toasted oak. It is initially spicy on the palate, but quickly sweetens with rich butterscotch and dried fruit, and finishes with a hint of dried fruit and caramelised sugar. Smooth and robust.

Jameson Irish Whiskey

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $41.99, 1L RRP $57.99 Pernod Ricard

A blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys that are triple-distilled and aged in bourbon and sherry casks for five to seven years. A light floral fragrance peppered with spicy wood and sweet notes, while on the palate it is a smooth balance of spice, nut and vanilla notes with hints of sweet sherry.

Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey 40% ABV, 1L RRP $59.99 Federal Merchants

This blended Irish whiskey is triple-distilled and aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks. It has aromas of light, sweet citrus and green apple combined with vanilla undertones. Early fresh fruit flavours lead to toasted wood and vanilla sweetness, with a buttery mellowness on the finish.

RRP $60 - $79.99 Jack Daniel’s

40% ABV, 1L RRP $61.99 Hancocks

This Tennessee whiskey is left to drip through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal before it goes into barrel. It has aromas of oak, sweet vanilla and caramel, which continue on the palate.

Bushmills Black Bush 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Lion

The dark hue and rich fruit characters in this whiskey come from its ageing of up to seven years in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks and sweet bourbon barrels.

It has aromas of spicy fruit and dark‚ velvety fruit flavours with a lingering sherry sweetness.

Templeton Rye 4YO 40% ABV, 750ml RRP $64.99 Thirsty Camel

Templeton Rye uses a mash of 95% rye, giving it a bold base and strong rye character.

Templeton Rye uses a mash of 95% rye, giving it a bold base and strong rye character, and is aged in new charred white-oak barrels. It has a grassy aroma with notes of Christmas spice, while on the palate it is slightly chewy with hints of caramel, butterscotch, toffee and allspice.

The finish is clean and smooth.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 67

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Tincup

Walsh Writers’ Tears Copper Pot

Tincup whiskey is branded as a “classic American whiskey”. It is made from two whiskeys, each aged in #3 charred oak barrels for a minimum of four years: “High rye” bourbon, distilled and aged in Indiana, is blended with a small amount of Colorado single malt whiskey. These are then cut with Rocky Mountain water.

Tincup has a bourbon-style profile with a bold and spicy finish.

Writers’ Tears is a distinctive blend of aged single malt and single pot still whiskeys matured and aged in American oak bourbon casks. It is distilled entirely from barley in traditional Irish copper pot stills. Copper Pot has aromas of apple with hints of vanilla and honey. On the palate it is gently spiced with a burst of ginger and butterscotch and background notes of toasted oak. The finish is long with subtle notes of milk chocolate and almonds.

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $64.99 Thirsty Camel

Walsh The Irishman Founder’s Reserve 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69 Thirsty Camel

This is the signature blend created by Walsh Whiskey founder Bernard Walsh, combining old Irish pot still whiskey and single malt Irish whiskey. It contains 100% whiskey distillates from the copper pot still and is matured in bourbon casks. It has aromas of spice, black pepper, cinnamon, peaches and vanilla. In the mouth there are flavours of pot still spice, malt, dark chocolate, bourbon oak, and crème caramel. A lingering finish of oak and butterscotch.

68 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69 Thirsty Camel

Canadian Club 12YO 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Beam Suntory

The extra ageing on this expression from Canadian Club creates soft, rounded aromas with a palate that is spicy and creamy with hints of vanilla and rich mellow wood. The finish is long and dry.

Connemara

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Beam Suntory

There’s a light and fruity aroma to this Irish whiskey, with distinct smoke and peat. Initially smooth and honey sweet, with malt and fruits giving way to an intensifying full-bodied peat. Complex yet balanced with vanilla oak tones.

Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Single Malt 42% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Tickety-Boo

This Irish whiskey from craft distiller Glendalough is aged first in American bourbon barrels then finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. It has aromas of cherry, raisin, fig and Christmas pudding notes, alongside floral lemongrass and a touch of nutmeg. It is sweet and smooth on the palate with butterscotch, honey and peppercorn, dried fruit and a touch of brown sugar. A lingering finish of ginger spices and a hint of almond.

Sailor’s Home ‘The Journey’ 43% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Premium Liquor Co.

The Journey brings together whiskeys aged in virgin American oak and American Bourbon barrels and finished in Jamaican Rum casks. It has aromas of butterscotch, toasted oak and dark rum notes, leading to a palate of sticky toffee and rum roundness balanced with malt depth. Ripe banana, molasses and vanilla on the finish.

The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Thirsty Camel

The Sexton single malt is made from 100% Irish malted barley, is triple distilled in copper pot stills and aged four years in Oloroso sherry butts, giving it flavours of dried fruit, nuts and honeycomb.

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Starward Two-Fold Whisky

Redemption Rye Whiskey

This double grain whisky from Melbourne’s award-winning Starward distillery uses new make spirit made from malted barley, and a spirit made from aromatic and dry wheat – each is aged in Australian red wine barrels before blending. Two-Fold has aromas of bright red berries coated in buttery vanilla spice.

In the mouth there’s a balance of smooth, rich caramel and tropical fruit, leading to a delicate, dry and lingering finish.

While US federal law states that a whiskey must be 51% rye grain to be classified as a rye, the makers of Redemption have pushed the boat out to 95%. This intensifies the flavour of rye spice with light floral and citrus notes. A slight mint finish makes this whiskey great for sipping or mixing in a classic cocktail.

Templeton Rye 6YO

This distinctively delicate Japanese whisky has aromas of basil, green apple and honey, while on the palate there is grapefruit, green grapes, peppermint and thyme. The finish is subtly sweet and spicy with a hint of vanilla oak, white pepper and ginger.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Tickety-Boo

45.75% ABV, 750ml RRP $74.90 Thirsty Camel

The six-year-old expression of Templeton Rye adds more complex rye notes to the 4YO’s signature taste, thanks to extra ageing in American oak barrels. It has a floral aroma, with notes of dry spice, butterscotch, vanilla, cherry and green apple. It’s smooth on the palate with flavours of fruit, toasted oak and a burnt sugar sweetness leading to a lingering spicy finish.

Bushmills 10YO

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Lion

This whiskey is triple-distilled from 100 per cent malted barley and spends at least 10 years in bourbon seasoned barrels, giving it aromas of honey, vanilla and milk chocolate that persist on the palate.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Premium Liquor Co.

Suntory Whisky Toki 43% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Beam Suntory

Walsh The Irishman Single Malt 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Thirsty Camel

A small batch classic Irish single malt that is triple distilled and aged in oak bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, giving it sweet vanilla and rich fruit characters.

It has aromas of ripe peach, dried apricot, and tropical fruits with hints of orange blossom and vanilla fudge. On the palate there is vanilla sweetness, toasted almonds and honey, a little oak, digestive biscuits, apricots, and a hint of cocoa. The finish is long with a light maltiness and sweet oak.

Thomson Whisky Two Tone Release 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Thomson Whisky

The name of this whisky refers to the two kinds of cask used in its maturation: European oak that formerly held New Zealand red wine, and American white oak used exclusively for whiskey. The whisky itself is made from selected whiskies that are barrel aged and blended

by Thomson Whisky. The infinity symbol on the bottle replaces an age statement and refers to the marriage of casks. It has aromas of rich caramelised fruit, while the palate is dry, with oak and red fruit characters and a hint of spice and tannins.

Walsh Writers’ Tears Red Head 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Thirsty Camel

Maturation in Spanish Oloroso sherry butts gives this single malt Irish whiskey its signature ruby colour (and its name), along with rich dried fruit character.

There is orange peel, dried fruits and sherry plums on the nose, while in the mouth there is nutty Oloroso, spicy raisins and creamy oak. The finish is long and complex with an orange note.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 69

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Canadian Club 20YO

Green Spot – Mitchell & Son

A blended Canadian whiskey seasoned in white oak barrels. The rich aroma features toffee, raisin, dark plums and apple blossom. The flavour is a clean combination of nuts and spice, while the lingering finish is of pepper, apple, nutmeg and rich oak.

A non-age statement single pot still Irish whiskey comprising of pot still whiskeys aged between seven and ten years. The whiskey is matured in a combination of new bourbon and refill bourbon casks as well as sherry casks. There are fresh aromatic oils and spices on the nose, with orchard fruits, barley and subtle toasted wood. It is full and spicy on the palate. A hint of cloves accompanies green apples and toasted oak before a lingering finish of spices and barley.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Beam Suntory

The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey 44% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Federal Merchants

This whiskey is aged for five years in bourbon casks and then finished in specially made small virgin oak casks.

Its aroma is of vanilla, spice, fruit and malt with intense spice on the palate and a lingering finish. It’s named for The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York, which has won Best Bar in the World twice.

Glendalough Madeira Cask Finish Irish Whiskey

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Pernod Ricard

Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey 45.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Hancocks

A spicy aroma with distinct notes of rye, black pepper, cedar, cassia bark and a sweet marzipan character. The taste is of clove, rye, mint, molasses and honey, mingled with hints of apple and malt. The finish is long and sweetly spiced.

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Tickety-Boo

This is the new name for what was Glendalough Triple Barrel. This whiskey from boutique Irish distillery Glendalough is aged in bourbon barrels and then finished in sherry and madeira casks for added spice and intensity. It has rich aromas of sultanas and tropical fruit that continue on the palate alongside dark cherry and plum, vanilla and a slight peppercorn spice. The finish is balanced and clean with a light earthiness.

70 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

RRP $80 - $99.99 Rebel Straight Rye 45% ABV, 700ml RRP $82 Proof & Company

A full-bodied whiskey with a bold rye flavour and solid mix of sweet and spice.

A spicy nose opens up into a rich rye character balanced by hints of vanilla.

Yellow Rose Rye Whiskey 45% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.90 Thirsty Camel

Made from 95% American rye, this whiskey has mild vanilla and pine aromas with a hint of brown sugar. On the palate it is slightly sweet, with spearmint, mild pepper and maple.

Batch 10 Manuka Smoked Kentucky Whiskey 45% ABV, 700ml $84.99 Premium Liquor Co.

The folk at Batch 10 use premium Kentucky whiskey, which they smoke with manuka for a distinctively New Zealand character. It has a strong smoked quality and a smooth finish.

Teeling Single Grain

The Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey is aged for five years in bourbon casks and finished in specially made small virgin oak casks.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

Matured in Californian red wine barrels, this Irish whiskey has aromas of fruit cake and spice with a soft, sweet marzipan character. On the palate there is spice, raisin, red fruit and a hint of tannins, while the finish is dry with lingering wood and spice.

Distributed by Federal Merchants & Co

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Walsh Writers’ Tears Double Oak

Teeling Single Malt

Starward Nova Single Malt Whisky

This is a new core expression for the Walsh Writers’ Tears range, which focuses on whiskey blends first made popular in 18th century Ireland: aged Single Pot Still and Single Malt premium whiskeys.

Writers’ Tears Double Oak is a blend of the two premium whiskey styles aged in American and French Oak. There is sweet vanilla, cinnamon, plum and poached pear on the nose, with pressed grapes and citrus zest on the palate. The finish has chocolate undertones and lingering spice.

This whiskey is matured and finished in casks that impart the influence of five wine casks: sherry, Port, Madeira, white Burgundy and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has aromas of melon, figs, toffee and lemon, while the palate gives notes of dried fruits, citrus, vanilla, spice and cloves. It finishes with a long sweetness in harmony with dry tannins from the wood.

A fruity, double distilled single malt made with Australian barley and craft brewers’ yeast for extra flavour. Aged for three years in Australian red wine barrels, this smooth and complex whisky has bright aromatic notes of red berries, orchard fruits, vanilla, caramel and soft oak spice.

Tullamore D.E.W 12YO

43% ABV, 350ml RRP $99 The NZ Whisky Collection

Sailor’s Home ‘The Haven’ Single Pot Still

As with Tullamore D.E.W. Original, the 12YO expression is a triple distilled blend of all three types of Irish whiskey, but has a high proportion of pot still and malt whiskeys, matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks for 12 to 15 years. There is spice and red wine on the nose with a nutty character followed by a light woody note. It has a deep spice flavour with a robust and creamy body overlaid by chocolate, dried fruit and nut.

The finish is long and rich with citrus, chocolate, raisins and marzipan.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 Thirsty Camel

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Premium Liquor Co.

The first release of the Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey style from Sailor’s Home. Aged in Spanish Oloroso sherry and American bourbon casks, it has aromas of green grapes, warm spice and honeyed oak.

The mouthfeel is creamy, with pot spices, roasted almonds and vanilla notes. The finish is brown sugar and ripe black fruits.

Amrut Indian Single Malt Whisky 46% ABV 700ml RRP $90 Tickety-Boo

There are liquorice-bourbon notes on the nose of this whisky from India (the first single malt to be made in that country), with burnt honeycomb and toffee, too. It is rich on the palate, with barley-oak sweetness and a long, layered sweet-dry finish.

72 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Hancocks

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Federal Merchants

Sagamore Spirit Signature Rye Whiskey 41.5% ABV,700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

A traditional Maryland-style rye whiskey, it features candied dried orange peel with notes of clove and nutmeg and lingering hints of walnut and brown sugar to finish.

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $97.99 Tickety-Boo

NZ Whisky Collection ‘High Wheeler’ 21YO Many years ago, in the former Willowbank distillery in Dunedin, a batch of whisky was made in the distillery’s column still using unmalted barley. This “single grain whisky” was then blended with 70% of their single malt and placed into American oak ex-bourbon barrels for 21 years.

Carefully selected casks have been bottled as “High Wheeler”, in reference to the bicycle of the same name (also known as a ‘penny farthing’), which appears on the label. The whisky has balanced aromas of baked pear and vanilla with floral notes.

The pear sweetness persists on the palate, which is smooth and clean. A chilli pepper warmth gives way to a lingering salty/ sweet finish.

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

WHISKEY & BOURBON BRANDS Amrut

This brand of whisky is made

by India’s Amrut Distilleries in Bangalore. Amrut Single Malt Whisky launched in 2004 and shot to fame after renowned whisky writer Jim Murray gave it 82/100 in 2005 and 2010, and named Amrut Fusion Single Malt as the third best whisky in the world with a score of 97/100. ‘Amrut’ is a Sanskrit word that can be translated as ‘nectar of the gods’.

Archie Rose

Founded in 2014 and located in Sydney, Archie Rose Distilling Co. produces a range of whiskies, gins, vodkas and rums, as well as one-off collaborations, limited releases and spirits experiences.

Baker’s

A small batch craft bourbon developed in 1992 by Master Distiller Booker Noe, the grandson of Jim Beam. He is the sixth generation Master Distiller in the Jim Beam family and created the bourbon as a tribute to his rebellious cousin, Baker.

Basil Hayden’s

Part of the small batch bourbon collection developed by Jim Beam Master Distiller Booker Noe in 1992 and named for 1792 whiskey pioneer Meredith Basil Hayden, Sr. Batch 10

Friends Brent Robinson and Gordon McKerchar launched the Batch 10 brand with a New Zealand honey bourbon in 2017. They import barrels of premium Kentucky bourbon from the US and combine it with organic honey sourced from the rural settlement of Puhoi, north of Auckland, where the pair both live. The brand name refers to the tenth batch of their trials as being the one that formed the recipe. Batch 10 also has a Smoked Whisky and two gin expressions.

Bib & Tucker

A small batch bourbon whisky brand produced by 35 Maple Street Spirits in the USA.

Bushmills

Famed Irish brand Bushmills holds the title of the world’s oldest distillery, having been granted its licence to distil in 1608. It is located in the village of Bushmills, County Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Canadian Club

Hiram Walker founded his distillery in 1858 in Detroit, later moving to Ontario, Canada. His whiskey was popular in the gentlemen’s clubs of the US and Canada in the late 19th century where it became known as “Club Whiskey”. Its popularity was such that American distillers petitioned for the word “Canada” to be included on the bottle to distinguish it from their own competing whiskies. The move backfired, and made Club Whiskey more exclusive. Walker added “Canadian” to the label in 1889 and to the name of the whiskey the following year.

Cardrona

Cardrona Distillery in the Cardrona Valley opened in 2015 and makes whisky, vodka, gin and limited edition liqueurs.

Connemara

This Irish whiskey brand is made by the Kilbeggan Distilling Co. west of Dublin. Connemara is said to be inspired by Ireland’s ancient distilling traditions.

The Dead Rabbit

This Irish whiskey takes its name from a notorious street gang of Irish immigrants in New York in the mid-1800s. It’s made by The Dublin Liberties Whiskey Company and is also linked to The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in New York, which has been twice named Best Bar in the World.

Divergence

Divergence is the single malt whisky brand from small batch craft distillery The Spirits Workshop in Christchurch, which also makes Curiosity Gin. E.H. Taylor

This brand is part of Michter’s distillery in Kentucky. Bomberger’s was the distillery’s name in the mid1800s after Pennsylvania Dutchman Abraham Bomberger purchased what was then Shenk’s, which had been founded in 1753 and was America’s first whiskey company.

Part of the Buffalo Trace brand family, E.H. Taylor is named after Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr, considered to be a founding father of the bourbon industry. He bought the O.F C. Distillery at the end of the Civil War and developed techniques still in use today. The whiskies are still aged in centuryold warehouses that he built.

Buffalo Trace

Eagle Rare

Bomberger’s

This Kentucky distillery dates back to the early 1800s and is said to be the oldest continuously operating distillery in the US. Buffalo Trace takes its name from the paths carved through the wilderness by ancient buffalo and followed by 18th century pioneers and explorers.

Eagle Rare is distilled and distributed by the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. It is part of the wider brand family which includes E.H. Taylor, Stagg and Sazerac.

Glendalough

Maker’s Mark

Jack Daniel’s

Mars Shinsu

Jameson

Masterson’s

The Glendalough Distillery, south of Dublin, was set up by five friends with a desire to revive Ireland’s craft distilling heritage. Starting with a range of poitín (a traditional Irish distilled beverage) they expanded to whiskey and seasonal gins. The label features Saint Kevin of Glendalough, a holy man who founded a monastic settlement in the area in the 6th century.

Jasper Newton Daniel (commonly known as Jack) established his distillery in Tennessee in 1866 and introduced his signature Old No. 7 Tennessee whiskey, which drips through 10 feet of sugar maple charcoal before it goes into barrel.

Lynchburg in Tennessee is still home to the Jack Daniel’s distillery.

The world’s best-selling Irish whiskey brand was in fact established by a Scot – John Jameson. He arrived in Dublin in 1780, married into a family with distilling ties and established the John Jameson & Son Irish Whiskey Company in 1810, based at the family’s Bow Street Distillery. The Bow Street site is now a visitor’s centre and the Jameson range is produced at Jameson Distillery Midleton in Cork.

Jim Beam

Jim Beam is the world’s number one selling Kentucky bourbon. It traces its history back to 1795 when Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of ‘Old Jake Beam’, based on a corn-whiskey recipe created by his father. The family distillery, known as ‘Old Tub’, passed through the generations until 1894 when Col. James Beam took over from his father. In 1943, a decade after the end of Prohibition, ‘Old Tub Kentucky Bourbon’ changed its name to Jim Beam, in honour of the Colonel, who died five years later.

Knob Creek

One of the four small batch bourbon brands developed by Jim Beam for the premium end of the market. Knob Creek was created by Master Distiller Booker Noe in 1992 with a focus on quality ingredients, ageing of nine years and high strength bottling at 50% ABV. Legent

A collaborative release created

by Jim Beam’s seventh generation master distiller Fred Noe and Suntory Whisky’s fifth chief blender Shinji Fukuyo. Legent is a superpremium bourbon that first came to market in 2019.

Maker’s Mark was first bottled in 1958 under its distinctive red wax seal. Each bottle is hand-dipped in the red wax with the team of ‘dippers’ managing around 125 bottles a minute. The bourbon is ‘aged to taste’, rather than a specified length of time, with the Master Distiller and a tasting panel determining when each barrel is ready.

Mars Shinsu is Japan’s highest whisky distillery, situated in the alpine village of Miyada, at nearly 800m in southern Nagano Prefecture between the north and south Japanese alps. The Hombo family has been distilling for more than a century and added whisky to its repertoire in 1949.

A Canadian whiskey brand named for ‘Bat’ Masterson, a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler and journalist known for his exploits in the 19th and early 20th century American Old West.

Michter’s

This distillery traces its origins to America’s first whiskey company, founded in Pennsylvania in 1753.

It was originally known as Shenk’s and later as Bomberger’s. It became known as Michter’s during the 1950s but closed in 1989. The name was revived in the 1990s and the distillery moved to Kentucky.

Minor Case

The rye whiskey brand of Limestone Branch Distillery in Kentucky, which was founded in 2011 by brothers Stephen and Paul Beam, who have family links to Jacob Beam, who started the Jim Beam legacy. Minor Case is named for the Beams’ great-grandfather, who was a Master Distiller in the late 1800s.

Mitchell & Son

Mitchell & Son in Dublin is Ireland’s oldest wine and spirit merchant and currently run by the 6th and 7th generations of the Mitchell family. It was established in 1805 as a bakery, coffee shop and confectionery business before expanding into wine in the 1880s.

In 1887, the family got into whiskey bonding, sending empty casks to the local Jameson Distillery on Bow Street. These were filled and returned to the Mitchell’s cellar warehouse beneath Dublin’s streets. The barrels were marked with a daub or ‘spot’ of paint to identify how long they would be matured for – hence the name Spot Whiskey.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 73

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY Old Forester

Old Forester was created in 1870 and is the longest running bourbon on the market today, as it is the only remaining bourbon continuously distilled and marketed by the founding family before, during and after Prohibition. It was also the first bourbon to be sealed in a glass bottle.

Rebel Bourbon

This Kentucky bourbon uses a recipe first created in 1849. Today, it is made by Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Redbreast Whiskey

The largest selling Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey in the world, Redbreast is often regarded as the definitive expression of traditional Pot Still Irish whiskey and has an almost cult-like following amongst whiskey aficionados. Redbreast was produced originally by Dublin spirits merchant Gilbey’s, which was established in 1857. Gilbey’s used distillate sourced from Jameson’s Bow Street Distillery. Today, Redbreast is owned by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard.

Redemption

Redemption whiskey is sourced in Lawrenceburg, Indiana from the old Seagram’s distillery, founded in 1847. The whiskey is batched and barrelled in Bardstown Kentucky at Bardstown Barrel Selections.

The Redemption name was chosen to reflect the idea of rye reclaiming its status, as prior to Prohibition it was the #1 selling type of whiskey.

Russell’s Reserve

Named for master distiller Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey fame, this bourbon brand offers handselected small batch bourbon made at the same Kentucky distillery as Wild Turkey by Russell and his master distiller son, Eddie.

Sagamore

Sagamore Spirit Distillery is in Baltimore’s Port Covington and was founded to celebrate the history of Maryland’s great distillers and inspire passion for Maryland rye whiskey.

Sailor’s Home

An independent Irish whiskey bottler based in Limerick, Ireland.

It was inspired by the Sailor’s Home, built in 1856 by the merchant families of Limerick, local government and port officials as a place to offer welcome and sanctuary on the journey to seafarers and explorers coming through the port.

Sazerac

Sazerac Rye Whiskey symbolises the tradition and history of New Orleans in the 1800s, when saloons masquerading as ‘coffee houses’ sprang up. It was at the Sazerac Coffee House on Royal Street where a toddy made with rye whiskey and Peychaud’s Bitters was served and became known as the “Sazerac”.

74 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

The Sexton

An Irish whiskey brand from Northern Ireland, conceived and created by Alex Thomas, who is one of the few female master blenders in the world.

Shenk’s Homestead

Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded Shenk’s distillery in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1753, making it America’s first whiskey company. In its earliest days, Shenk’s produced whiskey from rye grain, a favourite local crop in the Pennsylvania Blue Mountain Valley where the distillery was located. The distillery was later sold and re-named Bomberger’s, and subsequently Michter’s. Today, Michter’s is based in Kentucky.

Slane

Slane Irish Whiskey is a collaboration between the whiskey-making Brown family of Brown-Forman in Kentucky, and the Conyngham family of Slane Castle in Ireland. Located in Boyne Valley, once home to several distilleries, the whiskey is made in a new distillery built in the renovated 250-year-old castle stables.

Stagg Jr

This is part of the Buffalo Distillery brand family and is named for George T. Stagg, who bought the OFC distillery from E.H. Taylor in 1878 and is regarded as one of the early craftsmen of the bourbon industry.

Starward

An Australian whisky brand, established in Melbourne by founder David Vitale in 2007. The whiskies are matured exclusively in Australian wine and apera (sherry) barrels. Starward notes the variable Melbourne climate as a contributing element to the distinctive profiles of its whiskies, which are said to mature faster than those in traditional distilleries.

Suntory Whisky

Suntory was founded by Shinjiro Torii in 1923 with the Yamazaki Distillery, which is Japan’s first and oldest malt whisky distillery. Initially inspired by traditional Scottish whisky, Torii envisioned a Japanese approach by choosing a terrain and climate completely different from those of Scotland. Suntory now has three distilleries with distinct styles: Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita.

Teeling Whiskey Co.

Brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling established Teeling Distillery in Dublin in 2015. It was the first new distillery in the city in more than 125 years, and was close to where their ancestor Walter Teeling had his craft distillery in 1782. Their aim is to assist in the revival of Irish whiskey around the world.

Templeton Rye

A rye whiskey that takes its name from a small town in Iowa where the residents produced a popular whiskey in the 1920s.

Thomson Whisky

This New Zealand whisky brand was established by husband-andwife team Rachael and Mathew Thomson in 2009. They have a distillery in Riverhead, north-west of central Auckland, where they blend whiskies and distill single malt using a hand-beaten copper pot still and New Zealand grown and malted barley. The Thomsons age their whiskies in a range of casks including ex-bourbon barrels, New Zealand red wine casks and some miniatures.

Tincup

Tincup takes its name from an old mining town on the western side of the Rockies, itself named for the Colorado mining pioneers and the tin cups from which they drank their whiskey. This American whiskey cut with Rocky Mountain water is made by founder, distiller and Colorado local, Jess Graber. The bottle top also acts as a tiny cup.

Tullamore D.E.W

The original Tullamore distillery opened in 1829 in the town of Tullamore in Ireland’s County Offaly. The D.E.W in the name refers to Daniel E. Williams, who started as a stable boy at the distillery and worked his way up to become the owner, creating the whiskey that still bears his name today. The brand was sold in the 1960s and production was shifted to Cork in the 1970s, but it was returned to a new distillery in Tullamore in 2014, where it is still made.

Waitui Whiskey

A single malt New Zealand whiskey made in Golden Bay by Kiwi Spirit Distillery. The company’s range includes gin, vodka and liqueurs.

Walsh Whiskey

This Irish whiskey house started in 1999 with husband-and-wife team Bernard and Rosemary Walsh making an Irish coffee mix called Hot Irishman. Their first whiskey launched in 2007 (The Irishman) and Walsh Whiskey now offers a range of signature, boutique and special release whiskies. In 2013 it shifted to Royal Oak in County Carlow, where a distillery, warehousing and visitor centre have been built.

Waterford

The team at Waterford Distillery in Ireland place barley and its provenance at the centre of everything they do. They source their barley from 97 farms across Ireland and each farmer’s crop is harvested, stored, malted and distilled separately, in order to capture the terroir of each one.

Every bottle of Waterford whisky features its own TÉIREOIR code, which can be entered online to reveal content around the whiskey’s origins and journey from field to bottle.

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey can trace its origins back to 1895, but got its name in 1940. It is made on Wild Turkey Hill in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

Master Distiller Jimmy Russell joined the company in 1954, where he remains today, working with his son Eddie. The father and son master distiller duo are both members of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and the only active father-and-son duo of bourbon master distillers in the world.

Willett

An independently family-owned and operated distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Founded in 1936, the business is today led by parents Even and Martha Willett Kulsveen and now the fifth generation of family distillers, siblings Britt and Drew Kulsveen, are continuing the family tradition of hand-crafted bourbons. The Willett family of brand labels includes Willett, Johnny Drum, Old Bardstown, Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, Pure Kentucky, and Kentucky Vintage.

Woodford Reserve

The Woodford Reserve Distillery is one of Kentucky’s smallest and oldest, dating back to the mid1800s, although the brand itself was launched in 1996. The distillery has one of the few heat-cycled barrelhouses in the world. It is the official bourbon of the famous Kentucky Derby.

Woodstock

A bourbon brand made in Kentucky using limestone filtered water and aged in charred oak barrels.

Yellow Rose

Yellow Rose Distilling was launched by a group of friends in 2012 and is the home of the first legal distillery in Houston, Texas. It takes its name from a woman in local folklore, known as the Yellow Rose of Texas. Legend has it her bravery and guile helped Sam Houston win the battle for Texas’ independence from Mexico.

Yellowstone

The bourbon whiskey brand of Limestone Branch Distillery in Kentucky, which was founded in 2011 by brothers Stephen and Paul Beam, who have family links to Jacob Beam, who started the Jim Beam legacy.

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Sailor’s Home ‘The Horizon’ 10YO 43% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99 Premium Liquor Co.

The first release in The Islands Series from Sailor’s Home combines Irish malt and grain whiskeys, matured for at least 10 years in American bourbon casks with finishing in selected Barbados rum casks. It has aromas of brown sugar and ripe tropical fruits; flavours of malted honey, oak, rum, vanilla and caramelised banana; and a finish of buttery toffee with orange zest.

RRP $100 - $119.99 Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky 50% ABV, 700ml RRP $100 Tickety-Boo

Heavy oak aromas, with hints of barley sugar and soft smoke. Intense on the palate with warming, full-blown peat, a sherry trifle note, barley fruitiness and intense chocolate fudge that resonates through the palate. The finish exhibits dry peat and oak with molasses sweetness and spice.

The first release in The Islands Series from Sailor’s Home combines Irish malt and grain whiskeys, matured for at least 10 years.

Glendalough Single Pot Still Irish Oak Whiskey

Thomson Whisky South Island Peat Single Malt

The use of virgin Irish oak casks sets this whiskey apart from the outset. The pot still whiskey is finished for up to a year in the casks, which are made from 140-yearold trees that are felled sustainably from the forests around the distillery. Each bottle is numbered and traceable to each cask and even to the original tree. The Irish oak adds toasted oak and vanilla flavours that complement and balance the classic pot still spices.

The New Zealand-grown malted barley used in this whisky is smoked using South Island peat for an additional local touch.

The whisky is distilled through a copper pot still and bottled in its youth, as “an update from the barrel”. The aroma is of smoke, salt and a vanilla sweetness.

On the palate it is rounded with a subtle sweetness and intense smoke that lingers on the finish.

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $100 Tickety-Boo

Thomson Whisky Manuka Smoke Single Malt

Amrut Single Malt Peated Whisky

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $105 Thomson Whisky

A combination of Indian barley, Scottish peat and American oak create this whisky from award-winning Indian distillery Amrut. It has aromas of intensely dry peat with a hint of citrus, while the palate is initially sweet molasses, leading to peat and dry spices and a clean finish.

This whisky is made from 100 per cent New Zealand-grown and malted barley smoked using native manuka wood, then distilled through Thomson Whisky’s handbeaten copper pot still. Aromas of smoke sit over a hint of underlying sweetness, with a spicy/savoury character that develops as it opens up. On the palate, there is intense smoke with notes of spice and a lingering smoky finish.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $100 Tickety-Boo

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $105 Thomson Whisky

Sagamore Reserve Double Oak Straight Rye 48.3% ABV, 750ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

This straight rye whiskey is matured for an additional period in ‘wave stave’ oak casks that have been freshly toasted, imparting a warm caramel and dark vanilla flavour from the increased surface area of the barrels. It has a nutty taste of freshly roasted hazelnuts, coconut and walnut, joining the signature kick of aromatic and peppery spices.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 75

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Divergence Virgin French Oak Single Malt 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Beverage Brothers

This New Zealand single malt is made from 100% Canterbury-grown and malted barley. Mashed, fermented and double pot still distilled and aged more than three years in 50 and 100 litre virgin French oak barrels in Christchurch, home to craft distillers The Spirits Workshop. Luscious aromas of toffee, vanilla, milk chocolate and a hint of raisin with oak/wood and soft floral undertones. It’s gentle on the palate with a rounded mouthfeel and notes of oak, dark caramel, dark cocoa, new leather, creamy tannin, floral and anise. A slightly dry finish with a hint of sweetness.

Michter’s US1 Sour Mash Whiskey 43% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Tickety-Boo

The unique grain selection for this whiskey means it cannot be categorised as a rye or a bourbon. It has warm, toasted burnt sugar notes with spice, sweet smoky fruit, candied cherries and honeyed vanilla. It starts out like a bourbon but finishes like a rye.

76 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Michter’s US1 Straight Rye Whiskey

Sailor’s Home ‘Caravelle’ 10YO

Select American rye grain is sheared to maximise the extraction of flavour for this rye whiskey. It’s made using charred new American white oak barrels and is spicy with peppery notes, citrus, butterscotch and oak.

Caravelle is the second in The Islands Series from Sailor’s Home. It is named for the sailing ship used for long voyages of exploration in the 15th – 17th centuries, and for Presqu’ile de la Caravelle, the wild and lush natural reserve in Martinique.

Irish malt and grain whiskeys are matured for at least 10 years in American bourbon casks and blended before finishing in selected Martinique rum casks. It has aromas of pineapple, savannah grass and demerara sugar – on the palate there is fat creamy toffee, sugar cane, blood orange and liquorice with a finish of candied bananas.

42.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Tickety-Boo

Michter’s US1 Unblended American Whiskey 41.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Tickety-Boo

Unlike bourbon or rye, which, by definition, must be aged in new oak barrels, Michter’s US1 Unblended American Whiskey uses whiskey-soaked barrels to achieve its flavour profile. It has deep butterscotch and vanilla notes, hints of caramel and dried fruit with a ripened fruit finish.

Michter’s US1 Unblended American Whiskey uses whiskey-soaked barrels to achieve its flavour profile.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Premium Liquor Co.

Teeling Blackpitts Single Malt 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Hancocks

This award-winning release from Teeling was inspired by the ancient Blackpitts area just behind the new Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Dublin City, which was traditionally home to some of the largest barley malting houses in Ireland.

Triple distillation and maturation in both ex-bourbon and ex-Sauternes white wine casks creates a whiskey with aromas of barbecue smoke, cloves, butterscotch and orange peel. In the mouth there is a blend of applewood smoke, honey and allspice married with stewed pears and fresh grilled pineapple. This whiskey finishes with savoury smoke over lingering wood with notes of salted caramel.

BARRELS INVENTED FOR WINE, REINVENTED FOR W H I S K Y.

AWA R D E D W H E N TA S T E D N E AT; E N J OY E D A N Y WAY YO U L I K E.

GOLD

GOLD

SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMP 2020

GLOBAL SPIRITS MASTERS 2020

TWO-FOLD & NOVA

TWO-FOLD & NOVA

BEST BLENDED AUSTRALIAN WHISKY WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS 2020 & 2019

TWO-FOLD

CATEGORY WINNER

WORLD WHISKIES AWARDS 2020 & 2019

TWO-FOLD

Distributed in New Zealand by Tickety-Boo Liquor Ltd. Phone 09 377 7597 or email sales@tickety-boo.co.nz for further information. www.tickety-boo.co.nz

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Sagamore Cask Strength Straight Rye 56.1% ABV, 750ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

Matured for between four and seven years, this Sagamore Spirit rye whiskey is a made to a traditional Maryland style, offering deep chocolate, hazelnut and molasses flavours from the older stock, and a lifting citrus and spice (vanilla and clove) from the younger barrels.

Starward Solera Single Malt Whisky 43% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99 Tickety-Boo

This twice-distilled single malt whisky from Australian distillery Starward is fully matured in carefully selected apera casks, an Australian fortified wine that’s similar to sherry. It is rich and well balanced with flavours of jammy fruits, creme brûlée and spice, with a lingering dry finish.

Waterford ‘The Cuvee’ is inspired by the châteaux of France and draws on the distillery’s library of Single Farm Origin whiskies.

78 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Yellow Spot 12YO - Mitchell & Son

Waterford ‘Hook Head’ 1.1

This whiskey contains single pot still components aged in ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and ex-Malaga wine casks. This extra ageing adds a layer of complexity compared with its younger sibling Green Spot. It has aromas of hay, black pepper, nutmeg, clove oil and green tea, with sweet honey and peaches from the Malaga casks. Pot still spices, honey and red apple combine with flavours of crème brûlée, fresh coffee and toasted oak. Sophisticated and complex with a distinctive honeyed character and a mix of red grape and dry barley on the finish.

RRP $120 - $149.99

Around 16km from Waterford Distillery in southern Ireland, the lighthouse at Hook Head stands against the full force of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, Martin Foley grows the barley used in this whisky on clay/loam soils derived from limestone.

Exposed to the full range of salt-laden storms, sea mists and ocean breezes, it’s an extreme maritime terroir. ‘Hook Head’ has an earthy, malty aroma with citrus peel, breadcrust, clove, white pepper and caramel. In the mouth it’s a spice bomb of cloves, white pepper, salted caramel, liquorice, ginger biscuits, lemon zest, and chilli chocolate. The finish is dry but with a lasting spicy oiliness.

Waterford ‘The Cuvée’

Waterford ‘Lakefield’ 1.1

50% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

50% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

Inspired by the châteaux of France, this whisky from Irish distillery Waterford draws on its library of Single Farm Origin whiskies to create a whisky that it describes as “the definitive Waterford Whisky”. Its complex aromas include red apples, breadcrust, green foliage, lavender, orange, ripe banana skin, fresh mint and coffee cake. On the palate there is clove sweets, white pepper, grapefruit, lemon zest, dark chocolate, cherries and dried herbs. The finish is of pepper, with oily spiciness that softens and lingers.

Barley grown on lowlands at Lakefield Farm in Co. Laois in Ireland, north of Waterford Distillery, goes into this whisky, which has aromas of warm custard, baking bread, red apple, milk chocolate and pine needles. In the mouth, gentle clove up front leads into proving bread and malted biscuits, followed by pepper, honeydew melon and pears.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99 Pernod Ricard

50% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Starward Fortis Single Malt Whisky

Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky

‘Fortis’ is from the Latin meaning ‘bold’ or ‘brave’ and is one of the highest proof bottlings available from Melbourne’s Starward Distillery. It has aromas of Madagascan vanilla, rich toasted American oak, blackberry jam, raisins, caramelised fig and ripe plums. In the mouth there is more vanilla with rich fruit flavours of quince paste, raisins, chocolate ganache, cinnamon and banana bread. The finish is lingering, with baking spices and ripe figs and raisins.

Awarded ‘World’s Best Rye Whisky’ at the World Whiskies Awards 2020, this new arrival to New Zealand comes from Australian craft distillery Archie Rose.

It uses malted rye and malted barley and is aged in virgin American oak casks in the maritime air of coastal Sydney. It is a layered, aromatic whisky with notes of spiced custard, ginger, stone fruit and baked apple pie with a lingering fresh herbal finish.

The NZ Whisky Collection ‘The Oamaruvian’ 18YO

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $129.99 Archie Rose

50% ABV, 700ml RRP $127.99 Tickety-Boo

50% ABV, 350ml RRP $129 The NZ Whisky Collection

Oamaru’s historic Harbour Precinct is an ideal seaside climate for whisky maturation and this distinctive New Zealand whisky has been aged for six years in American oak ex-bourbon and finished for 12 years in French oak ex-red wine barrels. It has a bold aroma of portsoaked raisins followed by dark cherries, cloves and stone fruits. In the mouth there are vibrant flavours of dried fruits, almonds and nutmeg leading to liquorice sweetness spiked with anise. The finish is slightly drying with spice and sweetness and a lingering port-like finale.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $129.99 Archie Rose

Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky is a new arrival in New Zealand and was awarded ‘World's Best Rye Whisky’ at the World Whiskies Awards 2020.

Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky

Mars Iwai Tradition

The team at Archie Rose use a sixmalt mash bill for this whisky, to give it a rich and expressive flavour, full of distinct regional character. It is aged predominantly in Australian apera (sherry) casks, complemented by a selection of ex-bourbon and Archie Rose’s own 36-month air-dried ex-rye casks.

The whisky has aromas of fresh herbs, shortbread biscuits, raisins, toffee and dark chocolate, while the palate is full of sticky date pudding and amaretto with a final note of espresso.

A contemporary Japanese whisky that uses a blend of sherry, American oak, bourbon and wine casks. It is rich and complex with sweet honey and malt fragrances that lead to a palate of ripe cherry, honey toffee, and a ginger spice.

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $129.99 Hancocks

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 79

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Redbreast Single Pot Still 12YO

Willett Family Reserve 4YO Rye

This is the signature bottling from Redbreast, which is the largest selling Single Pot Still Irish whiskey in the world. Redbreast 12 boasts the flavour complexity and distinctive qualities of Pot Still whiskey and is matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. It has a complex spicy and fruity aroma with toasted wood notes. It’s full flavoured and smooth on the palate with a balance of spice, fruit, sherry and toasted notes that linger.

A small batch rye whiskey from Kentucky’s Willett Family Estate. It has aromas of brandied cherry, cinnamon and baking spices with a hint of oak. It’s robust on the palate with dark cherry, burnt vanilla, and lingering spice.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $129.99 Pernod Ricard

Starward Ginger Beer Cask #6 Single Malt Whisky (2021 Limited Edition) 48% ABV, 500ml RRP $134.99 Tickety-Boo

Starward’s Ginger Beer Cask expression of its Single Malt Whisky was born out of its experimental Projects Program and the sixth batch release is now available.

Starward’s original Melbourne-made single malt whisky has been finished in casks that held distillery-brewed ginger beer to create a whisky with aromas of dark chocolate and orange, flavours of strong spicy ginger, fresh vanilla and pineapple. There’s a big, warming mouthfeel on the finish with candied ginger and citrus.

80 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

55% ABV, 750ml RRP $134.99 Tickety-Boo

Sazerac Rye Whiskey 45% ABV, 700ml RRP $139 Federal Merchants

Synonymous with New Orleans, this rye whiskey has a drier, spicier taste in keeping with its rye base. It has aromas of clove, vanilla, anise and pepper, which combine with subtle notes of candied spices and citrus. The finish is big and smooth with hints of liquorice.

Redbreast Single Pot Still 15YO 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $144.99 Pernod Ricard

Full and rich aromas of berry fruits and aromatic oils. On the palate, the whiskey is rounded and mellow with flavours of succulent fresh fruit combined with spices and toasted wood leading to a long finish.

Divergence Sloe Gin Barrel Finished Single Malt Whisky 63.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $149.99 Beverage Brothers

This whisky from Christchurch craft distillers The Spirits Workshop was initially aged in small, virgin French oak barrels for over three years, before spending the last six months in a barrel previously used for making its Pinot Barrel Sloe Gin liqueur.

Bottled at cask strength, it’s believed to be the world’s first Sloe Gin Barrel finished Single Malt Whisky. Rich aromas of toffee and red berries rise from the glass, with notes of icing sugar, vanilla, marzipan, stewed plums and malt. The palate is rich and mouth-filling with plum, toffee, malt, red wine character and subtle smoke that builds to the long finish with dark cocoa and red berries.

Masterson’s Rye Whiskey 45% ABV, 750ml RRP $149.99 Premium Liquor Co.

A Canadian whiskey with a mash bill of 100% rye, Masterson’s is distilled in classic pot stills using glacial water and aged for 10 years in new American oak. The whiskey is smooth with flavours of pepper and spice, and a soft, lingering sweetness.

Rye Whiskey was Maryland’s native spirit, distilled by some of America’s original risk-takers and history-makers. At Sagamore Spirit, our team of distillers crafts our Maryland-style Straight Rye Whiskey with a nod to both tradition and innovation. Our whiskies are a blend of two individual rye mash bills, resulting in an exceptionally balanced final product with notes of baking spice, vanilla, and candied orange peel.

Let’s forge a new path toward the future of American Whiskey.

Exclusively Distributed by Whisky Galore New Zealand’s Premier Supplier

SAGAMORE SPIRIT | SAGAMORESPIRIT.COM | @SAGAMORESPIRIT WHISKY GALORE | TRADE@WHISKYGALORE.CO.NZ | 0800 (WHISKY) 944 759 Savour our spirit responsibly. © Sagamore Whiskey, LLC, Baltimore, MD 21230. Sagamore Spirit® Straight Rye Whiskey, bottled at 41.5% ABV (83 Proof).

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

RRP $150 and above Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey 45% ABV, 700ml RRP $150 Proof & Company

A rye whiskey from Kentucky’s Limestone Branch Distillery, named for a former Master Distiller: Minor Case. Aged in creamy sherry casks, this whiskey has an earthy aroma alongside sweet sherry notes, flavours of butterscotch and a smooth finish with hints of dried fruit.

The Cardrona ‘Growing Wings’ Single Malt Whisky 64.8% ABV, 375ml RRP $153 Cardrona Distillery

This release from New Zealand’s Cardrona Distillery is a cask strength “celebration” of five years in oak. Growing Wings Solera is a marriage of select ex-Oloroso sherry butts and ex-bourbon barrels and has flavours of pecan pie, loaded with treacle and vanilla bean clotted cream.

82 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Thomson Triple Tipple 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $159 Thomson Whisky

Thomson’s first triple distilled single malt is now available in a limited-edition release. Made from 100% New Zealand grown unsmoked malted barley, triple distilled through hand beaten copper pot stills and matured in an American oak ex-bourbon barrel. On the nose it has delicate notes of freshly sliced green apple sprinkled with cinnamon, the sweetness of candied, toasted barley and a hint of rhubarb crumble. In the mouth there is a touch of spice, cinnamon, clove and star anise with rich sweetness reminiscent of toffee apples. Toffee and stewed fruit linger on the finish, giving way to spice and rhubarb crumble.

Shenk’s Homestead Small Batch 2021 Release 45.6% ABV, 700ml RRP $164.99 Tickety-Boo

A sour mash whiskey made with a substantial amount of rye, it has an aroma of brown sugar with baking spice and fresh citrus. Sweet caramel notes on the palate with hints of nutmeg, cloves and dried fruit. It finishes smooth and elegant with lingering citrus and gentle oak.

Starward UnExPeated Single Malt Whisky (2021 Limited Edition) 48% ABV, 700ml RRP $164.99 Tickety-Boo

Australian distillery Starward finishes its red-wine-barrel-aged Australian single malt whisky in heavily peated whiskydrenched barrels from Scotland’s Islay to create this coastal, peaty, fruit-forward whisky. Aromas of tropical fruit, toasted oak and a hint of sweet peat lead to a palate of ripe red berries, coastal peat smoke, yellow peach and cocoa nibs. Oak slowly dries the palate, with a long peated finish.

Thomson SIX

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $165 Thomson Whisky

This limited edition six-year-old single cask single malt is an update from the Thomson Whisky Distillery. The nose is soft and elegant with gooseberry, sandalwood and butterscotch. A rich and creamy mouthfeel packed with butterscotch and candied barley, giving way to tropical fruit and brambles, finishing on soft woody tones, sweetened with honey.

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Woodford Reserve Rare Barrel

Waitui Single Malt Whiskey

Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve

Layered aromas of rich oak with caramel, brown sugar, chocolate and vanilla merge into a cured tobacco character brightened with apple fruit on the nose of this whiskey. On the palate there is very old oak sweetened with honey and balanced by a touch of citrus, apple peel and clove spice. The finish is long with raisin fruit and malty sweetness.

This small batch whiskey from Golden Bay’s Kiwi Spirit Distillery is aged for eight years in manuka honey mead oak barrels, which adds a soft honeyed sweetness. It has a luscious aroma full of creamy butterscotch and manuka honey with hints of malt and oak. It’s delicate on the palate with notes of oak, smoke, and honey.

Made in Suntory’s mountain forest distillery, the Hakushu range is set apart by its distinctive fresh, green notes.

The Distiller’s Reserve has aromas of peppermint, melon and cucumber leading to a palate of yuzu, grapefruit and lemon thyme. Refreshing on the finish, with subtle smoke.

Mars Cosmo

The Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve

A smoothly elegant malt whisky by Japanese distillery Shinshu, with some Scottish input to the blend. It has notes of honey, caramel and ripe fruit, augmented by hints of wood and smoke.

Lush red fruit dominates the aroma of this whisky from famed Japanese distiller Suntory, with strawberry and cherry sitting alongside a hint of mizunara (Japanese oak). The fruit persists on the palate with raspberry, white peach and a touch of coconut. The finish is clean with sweet vanilla and a hint of cinnamon.

45.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $184.99 Hancocks

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $189.99 Hancocks

Hibiki Harmony

43% ABV, 750ml RRP $199.99 Beam Suntory

From the Suntory Whisky collection, Hibiki has lifted aromas of rose and lychee over a hint of rosemary, wood and sandalwood.

On the palate, there is a honeylike sweetness with candied orange peel and white chocolate. The finish is subtle with a touch of mizunara (Japanese oak).

40% ABV 700ml RRP $199.99 Kiwi Spirit Distillery

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $219.99 Beam Suntory

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $229.99 Beam Suntory

The NZ Whisky Collection ‘South Island Single Malt’ 25YO 40% ABV, 350ml RRP $229 The NZ Whisky Collection

This whisky is the most recent flagship release of the South Island Single Malt and was made from 100% malted New Zealand barley in Dunedin’s Willowbank distillery before its closure in 1997. It has been aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels for 25 years. It has aromas of subtle smoke, yellow fruit and drying grass. On the palate there is sweet malt, golden fruits and vanilla with a light peat influence. The finish is light and silky with delicate oak and sweetness.

Waitui Single Malt Whiskey is a small batch whiskey from Golden Bay that is aged eight years in manuka honey mead oak barrels.

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 83

SPIRITS REPORT – BOURBON & WHISKEY

Michter’s 10 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey 46.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $234.99 Tickety-Boo

One of Michter’s most limited production items, its 10YO Straight Rye Whiskey has deep notes of vanilla and toffee, toasted almonds and cinnamon with crushed pepper and a hint of orange citrus.

Jameson 18YO

Redbreast Single Pot Still 21YO

Kentucky Owl Batch #4 10YO Rye

The nose spans fresh tropical fruits, nuts and rich dried fruit. On the palate there is soft vanilla, toasted oak and sherry nuttiness with a dusting of pot still spices.

Fleshy fruit notes and a creamy mouth feel. The long finish combines oak and pot still spices.

A blend of rye stocks aged 10 to 13 years that combine to create flavours of rich oak, roasted almonds, caramel brittle and spiced dark cherry.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $259.99 Pernod Ricard

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $249.99 Pernod Ricard

Hakushu 12YO

Jameson 18YO is the pinnacle of the Jameson range, having been aged for a minimum of 18 years and finished in first fill bourbon casks. On the nose there are aromatic oils with a touch of wood and spicy toffee. It is mellow and smooth on the palate with fudge, toffee, spice, hints of wood and leather, vanilla and a gentle sherry nuttiness. The lingering finish carries wood, spice and toffee.

Suntory’s Hakushu distillery is also known as the ‘Mountain Forest Distillery’, and this whisky abounds with green fruit and herbal characters. Aromas of basil, pine needle and green apple lead to a palate of sweet pear, mint and kiwifruit. The finish has characters of green tea and subtle smoke.

43.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $319.99 Beam Suntory

56.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $364.99 Tickety-Boo

Glendalough 17YO Mizunara Cask Finish Single Malt 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $409.99 Tickety-Boo

This single malt was aged in ex-bourbon barrels for 15 years before finishing in a rare Japanese Mizunara cask for the final two years. The Glendalough 13YO Mizunara Finish was this whiskey’s predecessor and was named in the top 20 whiskeys in the world. It has aromas of oriental incense, woody spices and coconut and a luxurious, creamy mouthfeel. Sweet but spicy, smooth and complex.

Glendalough 25YO Irish Oak Finish Single Malt 46% ABV, 700ml RRP $649.99 Tickety-Boo

Glendalough 25YO Irish Oak Finish Single Malt is the first Irish single malt ever to be aged in an Irish oak cask and is a limited release of 1,800 bottles.

This is the first Irish single malt ever to be aged in an Irish oak cask. The whiskey has rich sweetness from 15 years in American oak bourbon casks and bold fruit flavours from Spanish Oloroso sherry casks and a buttery, spicy quality from the virgin Irish oak. A limited release of 1,800 bottles.

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 94.

84 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

OPINION – SPIRITS

Dominic Roskrow

UK-based world spirits expert Editor - Stills Crazy newwizards.co.uk

Crazy in the Canaries Dominic Roskrow finds the competition heating up in the Scotch sector…

SOMETIME IN January, I thought it had finally happened: I had gone stark raving bonkers. Or if I hadn’t, the rest of the world had.

I had taken a holiday to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands and was watching one of those mid-morning light news television shows that you feel guilty watching when you’re meant to be making a living as a freelance writer. A feature came on about ‘eco-sexuals’: people who basically writhe around naked in mud and leaves making love to the Earth. It’s not enough to just hug a tree; they have to have a physical relationship with it. They hold ceremonies in which they marry the sky. Harmless enough, but a bit weird, from my point of view.

After a minute of this poppycock, I decided to catch up on news from the spirits industry instead. And the first thing I read about was a bottle of Glendronach 30-year-old selling for £20,000 ($NZ40,400). That, in itself, was unsurprising – Scottish whisky owners do this sort of elitist bling thing all the time. No, it was more the comment from a highly respected global sales manager, who said: “It’s worth every penny, if not more.”

What? “If not more”? This is the product of a country where poverty is growing, homelessness is at an all-time high, where a cost-of-living crisis is looming and where food banks are rife? Please!

These special bottles aren’t aimed at us, of course. They’re aimed at consumers with silly amounts of money in Russia, China, and Southeast Asia. Instead, we are being offered young, often inadequate non-age statement whiskies at well under the 10 or 12 years required to make good Scottish whisky.

86 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

While Scotland rightly dominates the single malt whisky market over 12 years old, all bets are off when it comes to younger malts.

The producers are playing a dangerous game. While Scotland rightly dominates the single malt whisky market over 12 years old, all bets are off when it comes to younger malts. ‘New World’ countries such as Australia, India, Israel and England are proving that they can make much better whisky than Scotland can, when aged six years and younger.

And with scores of new distilleries being set up now, competition will grow even more intense in a few years.

It gets worse for Scotch. For a long time, producers of aged brown rum have argued that they have cheaper alternatives to average, over-priced Scotch. While on my break on Lanzarote, I noticed a trend towards that good old favourite, rum and black. Younger drinkers were heading for the cocktail menu. Whisky wasn’t at the races – even on Burns Night.

All pretty predictable really. But there’s one other dark beast lurking in the shadows. After years of trying its hardest at being taken seriously outside its core territories, tequila may at last be gaining traction. A new report shows a significant rise in sales, albeit from a small base.

All this, of course, makes healthy reading for those making their living from the bar trade. After all, the customer will want to dabble in the new world whisky, rum and tequila sectors by buying by the glass before splashing out for full bottles to take home. After the virus, a range of these spirits may provide the very boost the on-trade sector needs.

What is for sure, is that Scotch whisky producers need to keep their eye on the ball and stay in touch with regular drinkers. Crazy times, indeed.

Please savour responsibly

Crafted without compromise from American and European oak sherry seasoned casks.

THE MACALLAN DOUBLE CASK RANGE

Photography by Steve McCurry

SPIRITS NEWS

World Gin Awards 2022 reveals NZ winners THE WORLD Gin Awards 2022 has revealed the top gins across a range of categories from each country in the first stage of judging.

The Country Winners for each style will now be judged against each other in the World Gin Finals, with results to be announced in February.

The World Gin Awards are presented by TheDrinksReport.com and select, reward and promote the world’s best gins to consumers and trade across the globe.

Each gin is tasted in its relevant style to identify and select the style winners.

The judging panel includes international journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts.

Full results of Round 1 at worldginawards.com

The New Zealand winners in Round 1 of the World Gin Awards 2022 are:

Cardrona Distillery launches new NZ/UK cocktail battle CARDRONA DISTILLERY has launched its first cocktail competition and is calling for entries from bartenders in New Zealand and the UK, with a Grand Final to be held in Cardrona in September.

The 2022 Cardrona Club Cocktail Competition challenges bartenders to create and promote a signature cocktail that highlights a Cardrona Distillery product of their choice. The Cardrona Distillery range includes The Cardrona Single Malt Whisky, the reid Single Malt Vodka, The Source Pure Cardrona Gin, and Rose Rabbit Liqueurs (Orange, Elderflower, and Butterscotch).

Regional finals will be held across the UK and in New Zealand to find 12 finalists to compete for the Cardrona Trophy. Entries are open now and will close on 31 March. cardrona-cocktail-competition. mailchimpsites.com

Classic Gin

Country Winner: A wildian Coromandel Dry Gin Silver: The Source Pure Cardrona Gin

Contemporary Style Gin

Country Winner: No8 Distillery Horopito Fire Gin Silver: The National Distillery Company Hemp Gin Bronze: No8 Distillery Dunners Dry Gin

London Dry Gin

Country Winner: Broken Heart Original Gin Silver: The National Distillery Company New Zealand Dry Gin Bronze: Curiosity Gin Classic

Matured Gin

Navy Gin

Sloe Gin

Country Winner: Awildian Coromandel Manuka Gin

Country Winner: The National Distillery Company Old Navy

Country Winner: Curiosity Gin Pinot Barrel Sloe

88 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

NZ Spirits Awards expands THE CATEGORIES for the NZ Spirits Awards have been expanded for the 2022 competition to better reflect industry trends. There will be 15 categories in this year’s competition, up from seven in 2021. Organisers say that categories are now based upon the commonly held spirit groupings that define the style and process of spirit production. For example, the Gin category is now divided into London Dry, Contemporary & Navy Strength, and Flavoured & Aged. Trophies will be awarded for Best New Zealand in Category, and Best Overall in Category. The Awards for Innovation, Packaging Design, and Emerging Product will also be on offer.

Entry dates and details will be released in coming weeks. spiritsawards.nz

M a d e by our g r o u p o f f r i end s f o r yo u t o s h a re wit h yo u r s. . .

An award-winning tantalising fusion of global botanicals small-batch distilled right here in New Zealand.

Available today, online and at your local bottle store.

tw el f th h o u r d i s t i l l e r y . c o .n z

DISTILLERY

SPIRITS NEWS

Heli-gin tour launches in Queenstown QUEENSTOWN TOURISM company Altitude Tours has launched what it says is the world’s first heli-gin tour, which includes distillery visits and a mountaintop toast.

It is one of two new guided gin experiences that the tour operator has created. The first is the Queenstown Gin Tour – a six-hour tour in luxury transport with tastings and tours at the Cardrona Distillery and The Winery, followed by a visit to the Gin Garden by Broken Heart Spirits.

The second is a six-hour Heli-Gin tour, which adds a scenic flight to the Cardrona Distillery and includes a celebratory toast at a secluded alpine location with panoramic views, as well as tastings in private rooms. The helicopter transfers are provided by The Helicopter Line. The Queenstown Gin Tour is priced at $189 per person while the Heli-Gin Tour is $559 per person.

“Gin is very ‘in’ right now and distilleries are popping up everywhere,” says Altitude Tours managing director Nigel Hobbs. “The ‘gin-dustry’ is the new craft beer… These experiences are catering to the keen market of gin enjoyers by offering an epic day out that includes impeccable gin and hospitality, and scenic helicopter flights over some of New Zealand’s most beautiful landscapes.”

Nigel Hobbs of Altitude Tours with Brad Patterson of The Helicopter Line.

Hobbs says that both gin experiences have been designed to combine sightseeing, education and fun. “It is perfect for all types of people, and also offers some flexibility and opportunities to taste other spirits and wine or beer, too.”

SHOWCASE

Teeling named Best in Class at Irish Whiskey Awards 2021 TEELING WHISKEY, Ireland’s leading progressive Irish whiskey, has claimed the honour of “Best Irish Grain Whiskey” for its recently launched Teeling 13 Year Old Single Grain at the 2021 Irish Whiskey Awards.

Teeling Whiskey was also honoured with Gold Medals for both its Dublin-distilled Teeling Single Pot Still and Teeling Blackpitts Peated Single Malt. These awards follow earlier success at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards and the Irish Whiskey Masters where Teeling Whiskey continues to be acknowledged as a producer of world class whiskeys.

Teeling 13-Year-Old Irish Single Grain consists of triple-distilled Irish whiskey distilled predominantly from maize, initially matured for nine years in ex-bourbon barrels before being given extra maturation for over four years in ex-Bordeaux red wine casks and bottled at 50% to capture all its natural flavour.

It is the second and oldest release of Single Grain, following on from the multi-award winning core offering of Teeling Whiskey Single Grain, first released in 2013 and honoured on numerous occasions as the World’s Best Irish Single Grain.

“We are proud that our Teeling Whiskeys continue to be recognised as the Best Irish whiskeys in the world both at home and abroad, “ said Jack Teeling, founder of Teeling Whiskey. “We are particularly pleased that our efforts to create a new category of Irish whiskey with our Single Grain releases have been recognised and we look forward to building on these successes with our pipeline of new and exciting releases for 2022.”

Teeling Whiskey is distributed in New Zealand by Hancocks.

90 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

The release of the new tours follows Altitude Tours’ Wine Sampler Tour being voted the Top Wine Experience in the world by Tripadvisor earlier this year. altitudetours.co.nz

SPIRITS NEWS

Hastings Distillers releases ‘Rubis’ vermouth HASTINGS DISTILLERS has created a certified organic vermouth designed to enhance a Negroni or serve as a pre-dinner aperitif.

‘Rubis’ is described as highly concentrated, rich and ripe with red berry fruits, warm spice, bitter cacao and dried herb notes.

Its creators, Kate Galloway and David Ramonteu, make a range of Biogro certified organic spirits and liqueurs at their distillery, which they founded in 2019.

Galloway says their new vermouth speaks of Hawke’s Bay. “We start with an organic Cabernet Sauvignon from the renowned Gimblett Gravels region. To that we add a selection of organic botanicals - bitter roots, bark, flowers and warm

spice that has been steeped in pure organic alcohol.”

The word ‘vermouth’ is the French pronunciation of ‘wormwood’, from which the drink takes its name. “We grow our own wormwood,” says Galloway, “and use a selection of savoury herbs such as thyme, rosemary, bay, warm spices - clove, cardamom and cassia - and flowering plants such as lavender and chamomile in our blend.”

The couple recommends serving Rubis neat with ice or a splash of soda, or in an organic Negroni. Its low alcohol content (17%) also makes it ideal as a digestive.

Rubis Vermouth, 17% ABV, 750ml RRP $55.

Order online at hastingsdistillers.com

SHOWCASE

Inspiration strikes at the Twelfth Hour THE DISTINCT and intensely refreshing flavour of makrut (kaffir lime) is at the heart of Twelfth Hour – an awardwinning New Zealand dry gin created by three friends looking to make a spirit that would stand out in a busy category.

Co-creators Pawat Lamwilai and Angela Tsang have backgrounds in food science and nutrition and in mid-2018 they teamed up with friend Andrew Shannon (who had a passion for gin and wine) with the goal of disrupting the fast-growing craft gin industry in New Zealand.

Choosing makrut as the hero botanical gave their gin a distinctive character and is a link to Lamwilai’s own Thai heritage – in fact, his mother grows all the makrut leaves used in Twelfth Hour in her garden at home.

It took 22 iterations before the trio hit upon the final recipe that was first bottled in October 2020.

Since then, Twelfth Hour has won Silver medals at the Australian Gin Awards 2021, The Junipers – NZ Gin Awards 2021, and the New Zealand Spirits Awards 2021.

Twelfth Hour is small batch distilled in four 30L stills, with each batch yielding 140 bottles that are presented in specially designed glass vessels.

The gin is non-chill filtered with all the botanical oils retained to maintain flavour, so is smooth enough to enjoy neat.

Andrew Shannon says the name created itself. “We had many a night discussing this gin. We were always meeting late in the evening due to other jobs and commitments, discussing the strategy into the small hours. So it was really looking us in the face…the Twelfth Hour. The brand was born.”

Twelfth Hour Dry Gin 43% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Homegrown makrut (kaffir lime) is nurtured and grown by the Master Distiller’s mother in her own garden and complemented by a bouquet of other botanicals, including juniper, coriander seeds, lemon and orange. A clean, crisp aroma leads to an intense initial hit of makrut on the tongue followed by a long, dry finish that sees the revitalising taste linger on the palate. A punchy gin that is perfect for summer but made to enjoy all year round. Team with your favourite tonic then immerse a bruised makrut leaf to enhance the lead botanical, or garnish with a ribbon of cucumber for a refreshing twist.

Twelfth Hour is available to order direct from Twelfth Hour Distillery. twelfthhourdistillery.co.nz

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 91

SPIRITS NEWS

First release from NZ distiller Bayside Rum A NEW rum made using a kumara fermentation process is the first release from newly established Auckland-based rum company, Bayside Rum Co. Founder Egor Petrov says they have made a conscious effort to commit to using sustainable, locally sourced ingredients in their new Three Moons rum and believe its unique qualities will help it compete on the world stage.

Three Moons rum is created with a kumara fermentation starter to develop the yeast colony, added to the molasses and water mixture for fermentation. It is then twice distilled in a New Zealand made pot-still and aged in New Zealand ex-Pinot Noir wine barrels for

three months (hence ‘Three Moons’) before being blended with filtered New Zealand rainwater to 42% ABV. “From the kumara and the molasses from the Chelsea Sugar Factory to the ex-Pinot Noir wine barrels in which the rum has been aged, we have developed a very unique and very Kiwi rum that has been hand-crafted to give a broad appeal to both the rum connoisseurs and the newage drinkers in search of exciting experiences,” said Petrov.

The rum is described as having notes of golden kiwifruit, honey, pear and citrus.

Three Moons rum, 700ml RRP $80. shopbaysiderum.com

SHOWCASE

Steve McCurry captures The Macallan cask story SPANNING TWO continents and thousands of miles, the incredible wood journey undertaken to create The Macallan’s hand-crafted, sherry seasoned oak casks has been chronicled in extraordinary new detail by iconic Magnum photographer Steve McCurry.

His exclusive photographic journal showcases the people, places and processes involved in the production of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks.

The images also provide a compelling new insight into the mastery of wood and spirit for which The Macallan has been renowned since 1824.

“The thing I admire about The Macallan is their passion for craftsmanship, their excellence and their integrity for their processes,” said McCurry. “Sometimes you have to choose a different path – the one less taken – to go beyond hardship, to reach excellence.”

McCurry travelled to the vast green forests of northern Spain, the source of European oak for The Macallan casks, then to Jerez in southern Spain, where

92 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Photography by Steve McCurry on display at The Macallan Double Cask Tasting in Auckland

The Macallan’s casks are hand-crafted and seasoned with sherry – one of The Macallan’s defining strengths.

He also journeyed to Pennsylvania to discover the influence of American oak. Grown in the lush forests in the north-east of the US, it is key to the unique flavour of The Macallan’s highly successful Double Cask range that balances both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks.

When fully seasoned, each cask is transported to The Macallan Estate, home to the award-winning Distillery on Speyside. It is then filled with the finest quality, new make spirit ready to be matured under the watchful eye of The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team.

Stuart MacPherson, Master of Wood, The Macallan, said: “Our people and their craftsmanship have defined The Macallan for almost 200 years and Steve’s outstanding images provide a unique insight into the intensive process of sourcing, crafting and seasoning our exceptional oak casks.

“With up to 80% of The Macallan’s final flavour and character determined by cask quality, Steve has recorded the painstaking commitment and attention to detail that we uphold to deliver the uncompromised excellence that lies at the heart of our brand.”

The Macallan is distributed in New Zealand by Hancocks.

SPIRITS NEWS

New Vodka USSR

Taste the Art of the Cut THE NEW Zealand Whisky Collection is offering its own new-make grain spirit, The Art of the Cut, distilled from 100% New Zealand malted barley and Dunedin spring water.

The name refers to the stages in distillation when the distiller makes their “cuts” to produce the spirit and style desired.

Made by the distillery team at the NZ Whisky Collection’s Dunedin distillery, this spirit is described as having creamy cereal notes of malted barley among the clean, fresh, fruity characters of the alcohol.

The Art of the Cut NewMake Spirit is 45% ABV and available in 375ml (RRP $39) and 100ml (RRP $19).

DISTRIBUTOR Q Liquid is adding two new Belarusian vodkas to its portfolio with the arrival of Vodka USSR Raspberry and Vodka USSR Juniper.

Made with high quality grain alcohol, the vodkas are described as pure, clean and smooth.

Vodka USSR 40% ABV, 500ml RRP $24.99 (Available in Raspberry and Juniper)

thenzwhisky.com

Q Liquid

SHOWCASE

Leading rums Lunatic & Lover, Smith & Cross join Hancocks HANCOCKS HAS added award-winning New Zealand rum brand Lunatic & Lover and Smith & Cross from London to its growing premium rum portfolio.

Lunatic & Lover, created by Matt Bridge and Angie Bradley, burst onto the New Zealand spirits scene in mid2020. Since then, it has picked up many awards for its Botanical Rum and has just added a certified organic rum to the line-up. “It’s rum for those who like to think a little differently,” says Matt, who is Head Distiller.

Angie Bradley says: “We’re thrilled to be joining Hancocks. With its extensive sales and distribution capabilities we can think of no better partner to help bring Lunatic & Lover to rum enthusiasts around the country.”

Hancocks Wine, Spirit & Beer Merchants took on exclusive distribution of Lunatic & Lover from 1 February.

Smith & Cross, a Jamaica rum, has also joined the Hancocks portfolio and contains only Wedderburn and Plummer pot still distillates, famous for their notes

Matt Bridge and Angie Bradley of Lunatic & Lover

of exotic fruits and spice. The mark of Smith & Cross traces its lineage to one of England’s oldest producers of sugar and spirit dating back to 1788.

To order, call Hancocks on 0800 699 463 or contact sales@hancocks.co.nz

DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 93

DISTRIBUTORS DIRECTORY

Distributors 8-Wired

Emerson’s

Lion

The Premium Liquor Co.

022 106 1709 8wired.co.nz

03 477 1812 emersons.co.nz

0800 107 272 lionco.com

09 975 7432 premiumliquor.co.nz

Archie Rose

Emporium Brewing

Long Breeze Distributors

Proof & Company

nick@archierose.com.au archierose.com.au/nz

03 319 5897 emporiumbrewing.co.nz

027 205 2795 longbreezedistributors.co.nz

ordersnz@proofandcompany.com proofandcompany.com

Asahi Beverages NZ

Epic Beer

Maison Vauron

Q Liquid

09 298 3000 asahibeverages.co.nz

0800 212 337 epicbeer.com

09 529 0157 mvauron.co.nz

09 636 7730 qll.co.nz

Astrolabe Wines

EuroVintage

Marisco

Red + White Cellar

03 577 6794 astrolabewines.co.nz

0800 388 766 eurovintage.co.nz

09 522 9684 marisco.co.nz

0800 946 379 redwhitecellar.co.nz

Bayside Rum Co.

Federal Merchants

McLeod’s Brewery

Redmetal Vineyards

shopbaysiderum.com

0800 846 824 federalmerchants.co.nz

021 382 342 mcleodsbrewery.co.nz

027 552 6086 redmetalvineyards.co.nz

Forrest Wines

Mission Estate

Sprig + Fern

03 572 9084 forrest.co.nz

06 845 9350 missionestate.co.nz

03 544 8675 sprigandfern.co.nz

Giesen Group

Moët Hennessy

Thirsty Camel

03 344 6270 giesen.co.nz

0800 226 650 moethennessy.com

info@thirstycamel.co.nz thirstycamel.co.nz

Good George

Morningcider

Thomson Whisky

07 846 9364 goodgeorge.co.nz

hello@morningcider.co morningcider.co

021 626 636 thomsonwhisky.com

Grins

Moy Hall

Tickety-Boo

grinsdrinks.co.nz

06 929 7305 moyhall.nz

09 377 7597 tickety-boo.co.nz

Beam Suntory 0800 69 23 37 beamsuntory.com

Beverage Brothers 03 390 1377 beveragebrothers.co.nz

Boneface Brewing 04 529 7042 boneface-brewing.com

Butterworth Estate 06 306 8575 butterworthestate.com

Cardrona Distillery

Hancocks

03 443 1393 cardronadistillery.com

0800 699 463 hancocks.co.nz

Churton Wines

Hastings Distillers

021 083 04764 churtonwines.co.nz

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners NZ (CCEP) 0800 692 337 cocacolaep.com

DB Breweries 0800 746 432 db.co.nz

Negociants

Twelfth Hour Distillery

0800 634 624 negociantsnz.com

twelfthhourdistilery.co.nz

06 870 3991 hastingsdistillers.com

The New Zealand Whisky Collection

0800 687 9463 vintners.co.nz

Herzog Estate

03 434 8842 thenzwhisky.com

Whisky Galore

03 572 8770 herzog.co.nz

Invivo Wines

94 DRINKSBIZ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022

Peckham’s

03 377 6824 whiskytrade.co.nz

03 543 2959 peckhams.co.nz

Whitehaven

0800 468 486 invivowines.com

Pernod Ricard

Kiwi Spirit Distillery

0800 655 550 pernod-ricard-nz.com

03 525 8575 kiwispiritdistillery.co.nz

Vintners

021 738 315 whitehaven.co.nz

Discover Greatness