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Victoria Wells Editor – Drinksbiz victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz
WHEN I say “Scotch”, what does it call to mind? Is it the mist-covered hills of Scotland, or an ancient cellar full of ageing barrels, or a chap in an armchair cradling a cut crystal tumbler full of golden liquor?
All three images are certainly part of the iconic legend that is Scotch, but increasingly that legend is expanding to include newer, modern distilleries, boundary-pushing experimentation, and new kinds of consumers.
In her column this issue, UK-based drinks writer Sarah Miller explores this evolution of Scotch and the exciting developments taking place in the industry.
The growing role of women in Scotch is part of that, both as creators and customers, as Sarah explains on page 68.
In fact, New Zealand’s own Siona Collier is a good example: the Managing Director of Whisky Galore in Christchurch, Siona also holds the esteemed title of Keeper of the Quaich.
The growing role of women in Scotch is part of that exciting change, both as creators and customers.
Stay up-to-date with the local drinks industry by signing up to our Drinksbiz e-newsletter – delivered directly to your inbox every fortnight. Scan the QR code or visit drinksbiz.co.nz and click the banner at the top of the homepage to sign up.
2023 Obliix Pinot Noir
Smoked spice and rich red fruit flavours abound in this Marlborough Pinot from winemaker Michelle Richardson. Delicious and at a great price point. (Pg 27)
Sprig + Fern The G.O.A.T Dopplebock
Every winter I'm reminded how much I enjoy dark beers and this rich and delicious release will be on repeat at my place. A must-try, with the awards to prove it. (Pg 41)
Nc’Nean Organic Single Malt
This whisky is part of the Scotch evolution – it’s from a relatively new distillery (2017) and one of the only certified organic whiskies in the world. Founder Annabel Thomas is also one of the mentors behind the world’s first non-profit to recognise and support women in the global whisky industry. (Pg 60)
This issue is home to our annual Scotch Report too (our biggest ever) and you'll find classic drams from the famous names along with their latest releases, to more niche drops from smaller Scotch distilleries and experimental offerings from some newer arrivals.
Another exciting development closer to home is the launch of NZ Bar Con(vention) – a three-day event from 4-6 August aimed at bringing the New Zealand bar and hospo industry together for discussion, learning and inspiration.
Read more about it on page 70 and head online to nzbarcon.com for updates.
Enjoy the issue, Victoria
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
ADVERTISING
Roger Pierce
advertising@drinksbiz.co.nz
+64 274 335 354
drinksbiz.co.nz
Associate Member (NZ)
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Michael
of Whisky Galore reflects on Scotland’s vibrant whisky industry…
I WRITE this while my daughter Siona and I are in Scotland, as we make one of our two annual visits. We thoroughly enjoy spending our time catching up with all that is new and exciting in Scotch, as well as meeting old friends and attending various trade and public events promoting “the nectar”.
The growth of Single Malt Scotch Whisky recently, especially in the last 10 years, has been nothing short of phenomenal. If we go back to early last decade there were around 85 distilleries in Scotland producing Single Malt Scotch, today there are approximately 140. It has become a challenge to keep up to speed with the evolution, however it keeps both
of us, and the whisky enthusiast, on our toes and stimulated.
A time of innovation
For me, this really is a fantastic time to see investment and innovations taking place among not just the new, but also the old and well-established, and to see the co-operation that takes place between the bigger players and the smaller newcomers. In this relatively new environment, it continues to be a very positive and encouraging space and something I think we can be exceptionally proud of in Scotland.
These new distilleries are nearly all individually, or small company-owned and although they are not big, they are all of a size that makes them ultimately very competitive and exceptional business models.
The infrastructure that is available to the distillers in Scotland is truly amazing and this is, of course, one of their great advantages. For what is often perceived as a very traditional industry (and make no mistake it certainly is proudly that in many ways), there is a quiet but humming level of curiosity and innovation that continues to experiment and push boundaries within the realm of the regulations that keep the quality and reputation of Scotch whisky sound and safe.
Although often misunderstood, the industry is in the fortunate position of having the very strict parameters of the Scotch Whisky Act, which was updated in 2009 to become the Scotch Whisky Regulations. These dictate in fine detail how Scotch is made, what can be said and what qualifies as Scotch whisky.
The No.1 warehouse at Glengoyne Distillery.
One thing I hear is that the mash bill is “just beer” until it is distilled. Well, if like me you are familiar with how beer is made, you will know this is not the case at all. In Scotland, the milling for the grist has to be done on site at the distillery, by law. It’s just one of many examples of how the Regulations are there to ensure that producers adhere to ‘what is Scotch’. This is the ultimate consumer protection and its legal standing makes it unique in whisky production around the world.
Attention to detail
The effort that goes into the barley quality is another factor that again is misunderstood, as well as where it comes from. The vast majority of the barley used in Scotch is Scottish-grown and if not, then some is sourced from England or further afield if needs must. However, the economics dictate it is just so much cheaper to source locally, especially with the continued increased cost of transport, and the quality is guaranteed; there is a lot happening in Scotland at present in the malting scene, all of it very exciting. Also, the mash times are often amazingly long, with many exceeding
100 hours and others over 170 hours. Every distillery seems to have a different essential aspect to what they do to achieve the end result; this finesse is often missed when on a general tour and it takes a deep dive to find these finer points.
apprentice schemes, and cooper number are heading back to 300 in Scotland from a low of about 150 or so only a few years ago. It is terrific to see a traditional craft in such good heart.
Overall, it is gratifying to observe innovation, growth and creativity
For what is often perceived as a very traditional industry… there is a quiet but humming level of curiosity and innovation.
A revival of craft
Rather reassuringly cooperages (cask repair/making) have also changed, with some huge investment in this area. Some new cooperages have opened and there is some fantastic and innovative work taking place. Again, this is an area in which Scotland has traditionally been strong, but it wasn’t all that long ago that folk were worried about the lack of interest in this skill and numbers of coopers were dwindling. However, there is now a coopering school, as well as other
abounding, while still honouring the tradition, heritage and foundations of the industry that is Scotch whisky.
It is clear to see as we wander the distilleries of Scotland, and pour ourselves a dram at home in New Zealand, that the future for Scotch Whisky enthusiasts is very bright indeed.
Explore the wide range of Scotch on offer at Whisky Galore’s trade portal online at trade.whiskygalore.co.nz
Michael Fraser Milne founded Whisky Galore in Christchurch in 1993, where he and his expert team select, import and distribute the very finest single malt and blended whiskies from Scotland and around the world. Regarded as a leading authority in Australasia, Michael has the title of Master of the Quaich, with his exceptional contribution to Scotch recognised at the highest level by the esteemed global Scotch whisky society Keepers of the Quaich. Whisky Galore’s Siona Collier and Stephen Le Petit are also Keepers of the Quaich. Get expert advice from the Whisky Galore team today. Visit trade.whiskygalore.co.nz or phone 03 377 6824 or 0508 WHISKY.
Pictured from left: Whisky Galore Managing Director Siona Collier with distillery manager Norman at Isle of Raasay Distillery; the malting floor at Glen Garioch Maltings; and Michael Fraser Milne with Anthony Wills, owner of Kilchoman Distillery, the only independent farm distillery on Islay.TE WHARE Rā owners Anna and Jason Flowerday have announced that they will be moving from Lion NZ to Federal Merchants for their New Zealand national distribution from 1 July 2024.
“We would like to thank the whole team at Lion for all the love and care they have shown our brand over the last 20 years,” they said. “That valuable partnership has helped deliver a great presence for our wines in the domestic market.”
The Flowerdays noted that the move is no reflection on Lion NZ. “We have always felt like part of the family at Lion and so we are sad to leave, but this change cements our strategy for the future of our wines in the New Zealand market.”
PERNOD RICARD’S Monique Sprosen has been appointed Chair of Spirits New Zealand (Inc). The Chair heads the Board of 10 representatives from member companies.
Monique has been with Pernod Ricard for seven years and now manages the company’s Australian and New Zealand Public Affairs from Auckland.
She was elected unanimously and unopposed at the organisation’s AGM in Auckland, making her the first woman to hold the position since the body’s incorporation in 1990.
“As the peak body for the New Zealand spirits industry I am honoured to have been elected into the role,” she says. “Now more than ever, it is crucial that we work together as an industry. Spirits NZ is a strong advocate for the sector and has been instrumental in its success and I look forward to continuing this.”
Monique Sprosen also thanked outgoing Chair, Kane Stanford from Bacardi, for his leadership and contribution, noting his work on initiatives such as the NZ Spirits Awards.
The new distribution with Federal Merchants will focus on growing offpremise ranging and presence in the on-premise trade.
Michael Morton MD of Federal Merchants said the company is excited to be working with the Flowerdays and their wines. “It is such an iconic Marlborough brand, so it’s a real privilege for our whole team at Federal to bring their wines into our portfolio. The addition of Te Whare Rā is part of our long-term strategy to cater to the growing demand for premium and to provide all our customers with an amazing selection of world-class wines.
As a 100% Kiwi-owned business we are absolutely committed to the future of the
on-premise sector and the addition of Te Whare Rā to our multi-beverage portfolio of market-leading brands helps us support our customers’ needs better than ever.”
BRAGATO RESEARCH
Institute (BRI) has announced the appointment of Dr Juliet Ansell as its new CEO, effective from mid-July.
She comes to BRI from her current role as Head of Core and Resilience Innovation at Zespri and will relocate to Marlborough for the new position.
Dr Ansell trained at Kings College London and has a PhD from Oxford University. She has lived and worked as a scientist in the UK, Tanzania, The Gambia,
and Australia before taking up a role at Plant & Food Research in New Zealand. She was seconded to Zespri in 2014 as Innovation Leader before taking up the role of Head of Core and Resilience Innovation. She has been an elected member of the Executive Council of AgriTechNZ representing Major Corporates.
In announcing the appointment, Bragato Chair Mark Gilbert said: “Juliet is a skilled science
leader, bringing a wealth of experience in research and innovation to lead BRI in its next phase of accelerating research and innovation for the New Zealand wine industry.”
SUPER LIQUOR Holdings has announced the appointment of Morgan McCann as its new Chief Executive Officer. He takes up the role from Monday 17 June.
McCann joins the national liquor retail franchise from Mico New Zealand (a division of Fletcher Building), where he has been General Manager, leading a network of 70 locations, two distribution centres and 520 people.
Prior to joining Fletcher, McCann was with the Foodstuffs co-operative for over 10 years, working in a range of senior leadership roles across the business that culminated in being head of New World, where he was responsible for the market and operational performance of the brand across 106 owner-operated stores.
Jason and Anna Flowerday
Dr Juliet Ansell
Monique Sprosen
trade.whiskygalore.co.nz
NEW TO Christchurch! Super Liquor welcomes Super Liquor Prestons to the Group.
Prestons Park is a well-established suburb in Christchurch and it now has the convenience of a brand new Super Liquor store, offering Super range and Super service.
The store owners, Reuben and Simran Singh are established franchisees within the Super Liquor Group and have spent a lot of time in planning the detail of their latest opening to ensure that consumers will enjoy the layout, range and service on offer.
Paul Webster, Super Liquor Franchise Manager, is proud to have a store in this location. “The owners have invested heavily to ensure that it delivers a great shopping experience,” says Paul. “The store looks fantastic!”
Super Liquor now has 189 stores in New Zealand – from Kaitaia in the north to Invercargill in the south.
Find out more about becoming a Super Liquor franchisee. Visit online at superliquor.co.nz/contactus/franchise-enquiry
MULTI-AWARD-WINNING BREWERY and current NZ Champion Brewery 8 Wired is for sale, with owners Soren and Monique Eriksen saying they are ready for a new chapter.
The Warkworth-based production brewery and its Matakana taproom are being marketed through Link business brokers.
Founded in 2005, 8 Wired was in the vanguard of New Zealand’s craft beer boom and was awarded Champion NZ Brewery in 2011 and again in 2023.
Link says that the Eriksens are eager to “pass the reins onto a strategic entrepreneur with a growth mindset so that 8 Wired can reach its full potential as a medium-sized brewery. 8 Wired offers a motivated investor an incredible beer brand platform to build on.”
It says that the Eriksens are determined to see 8 Wired flourish under fresh ownership and are prepared to support by working in the business while a new owner adjusts, if required.
See the sale listing at linkbusiness.co.nz
REEFTON DISTILLING Co. has become the first New Zealand whisky distillery to achieve B Corp Certification.
Founder Patsy Bass said it is a proud moment for the team and the distillery, which she established in 2017 with the goal of setting up a sustainable business to help revitalise her hometown of Reefton and to create jobs for local people. “We established the business for social good, to create sustainable employment on the West Coast and well-paying careers. To now be a B Corp business is tangible acknowledgement of that early vision and a benchmark we will continue to build from.”
Reefton Distilling Co. began its journey with the B Corp movement over 18 months ago. B Corp Certification measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact and is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability,
and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
Reefton Distilling Co. operates a bio-diesel boiler and has made significant investment in a closed loop cooling system to re-use water. Any minimal wastewater created is used to irrigate the company’s own and neighbouring farmland, and the spent grain from whisky production is used to feed the local farmers’ cows.
BOROUGH WINE, the charitable wine brand produced by a collaboration of donors from within the New Zealand wine industry, has announced a new distribution agreement with Beverage Bureau for the North Island.
Borough Wines Chairman Mark Unwin says it’s fantastic expansion for the brand, which has always had strong support from local customers in Marlborough and around the top of the South Island. “We’ve always wanted to expand beyond our region and bring our wines and our message to more people. Ultimately, our tamariki are the winners, because every bottle of Borough Wine you buy supports the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s (GDF) development programmes for our children and youth.”
Beverage Bureau, run by Nick and Anna Hewitt, is a small distribution business that distributes a range of local and international brands around the North Island.
To date, all profits from sales of Borough wines have been paid in dividends to the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s youth development programmes, with $150,000 donated in 2023.
The Borough brand comprises a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir Rosé all from the 2023 vintage, with a Pinot Noir to be released shortly.
Beverage BureauLAWSON’S DRY Hills has shifted its national distribution to Nelson-based Kahurangi Estate.
Lawson’s Dry Hills (LDH) ended its previous distribution partnership with EuroVintage on 30 April.
LDH General Manager, Sion Barnsley said, “We have enjoyed working with the EuroVintage team and will be sorry to end the co-operative and friendly relationship, but we feel it’s time to work with a smaller company where we can add value as one of only two New Zealand wine brands. We’re keen to get back to grass-roots sales and building direct relationships with customers with a smaller, ‘hands-on’ team.”
Kahurangi Estate Managing Director, David Barrett added, “We are delighted to work with the team at Lawson’s. The wines are outstanding, and our team is very excited to offer such a respected brand alongside Kahurangi.”
Kahurangi Estate
WINE DIAMONDS is a wine import and distribution business established by Dan Gillett in 2014. Since 2019, Wine Diamonds have specialised in wine in keg, now offering more than 40 different wines from New Zealand, Australia, France, Italy and Spain on tap. Now, Wine Diamonds is diversifying as demand grows for cocktails with the same benefits as wine on tap.
Dan Gillett, who once owned a busy Marlborough bar, understands the problem first-hand. It takes time to prepare, shake and pour a good Espresso Martini and their popularity means they’re often ordered in multiples, and once one table sees one, everyone else follows.
Wine Diamonds has spent eight months working on the perfect Espresso Martini from tap, ready to drink. The result is a shelf-stable, perfectly blended product with a tap system specific to the Espresso Martini.
Wine Diamonds have partnered with New Ground Coffee in Auckland, who process coffee drinks for the likes of Allpress, Coffee Supreme, L’affare and Havana, to produce two styles of Espresso Martini in keg for them. The ‘Classic’ features equal parts New Zealand Vodka, New Ground’s Espresso
Extract and Coffee Liqueur, while the ‘Dry’ is the same recipe but less sweet.
For the tap installation, Wine Diamonds have turned to Dispenseworx, who service and install all their wine taps nationwide. Dispenseworx have imported a specific nitrogen infusing system, which together with a specific pouring nozzle, allows you to pour the perfect silky Espresso Martini in under 10 seconds. The tap can pour continuously and the drink cascades in a similar way to Guinness, then settles out with a perfectly silky foam.
The finished product is a delicious, perfectly balanced Espresso Martini that can be poured in just 5-6 seconds, and continuously from one glass to the next. The system frees up precious minutes of the bartender’s time, ensures that every single martini is consistent in taste and texture, and offers 80% gross profit margin when sold at $20.
Wine Diamonds now distributes the Espresso Martini in keg nationwide and can provide the required tap system too. For samples, to see the system in person, or for more information contact Dan at Wine Diamonds on dan@winediamonds.co.nz or call 021 0228 4206.
WITH VINTAGE now over, New Zealand’s Young Viticulturists are starting to gear up for their regional competitions, which are taking place around the country throughout June and July.
This year, competitions will be held in Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa (combined with Auckland), Marlborough, North Canterbury and Central Otago (see dates below right).
Information sessions have been held for these, with contestants, sponsors and organisers enjoying the opportunity to meet and catch up ready for the Young Vit season ahead.
Young Winemaker information sessions will get underway in June with competitions running from the end of July and into August. National Finals for both competitions will be held in Martinborough at the end of August, with the winners announced at the Wine Industry Altogether Unique Celebration at Te Papa on 29 August.
In the meantime, three lucky 2023 Young Winemakers recently enjoyed a field trip to Nelson, hosted by Fruitfed Supplies. They visited a diverse range of wineries with stops at Heaphy Vineyards,
Regional competitions are fast approaching for the country’s Young Vit and Young Winemaker hopefuls… Good
Neudorf, Spencer Hill, Gravity, Anchorage Estate, Blackenbrook Estate and Rimu Grove Cellar.
They sampled some classic wine varietals, and had the chance to try several others such as Montepulciano, Pinot Blanc and Albariño.
The young group were inspired by the passionate winemakers they met, who are producing high quality wines and continuing to experiment with various techniques, such as using amphoras, gravity and even making kosher wines.
Entries are now open for the 2024 competitions – see the details below.
NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year
Find entry information at: nzwine. com/en/initiativesevents/young-vit
Dates:
• Hawke’s Bay – 13 June
• Wairarapa & Auckland (combined) – 20 June
• Marlborough – 4 July
• Central Otago – 11 July
• South Island Regional – 18 July
• National Final at Escarpment, Martinborough – 28 August
Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker
Find entry information at: nzwine.com/en/initiativesevents/ young-winemaker/
Dates:
• North Island, Hawke’s Bay – 25 July
• Marlborough – 31 July
• Central Otago – 6 August
• National Final at Foley’s The Runholder, Martinborough – 27 August
The overall winners for both competitions will be announced at the ‘Altogether Unique – Celebration Dinner’ on 29 August at Te Papa in Wellington.
Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 June
WinePRO – Blenheim
A three-day trade event for wine industry showcasing the latest products, technology, and suppliers. The event includes an exhibition showcase as well as a conference programme and workshops. winepro.co.nz
Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 July
Negociants Fine Wine Tour 2024
A showcase of New Zealand and Australian wines from Negociants‘ portfolio at three events in Christchurch (Monday 22 July at The Christchurch Town Hall), Wellington (Tuesday 23 July at Te Wharewaka o Pōneke), and Auckland (Wednesday 24 July at The Hilton Auckland). Trade sessions run from 1.304.30pm each day and registration is essential. Public sessions run from 6-8pm each day. Tickets can be purchased via the website. negociants.com/nz/events
Tuesday 30 – Wednesday 31 July
#HNZ24 Hospitality and Accommodation Conference –Christchurch
Hospitality New Zealand presents a two-day conference and trade show at the Te Pae Convention Centre for those in the Hospitality and Accommodation sectors. The event includes panel discussions, workshops, and presentations. Ticket details on the website. hospitality.org.nz/s/conference
Wednesday 31 July
Hospitality Awards for Excellence
2024 – Christchurch
A gala dinner for the Hospitality Awards honouring the accommodation and food and beverage sectors. hospitality.org.nz/s/awards
Saturday 3 August
NZ Beer Awards – Auckland
The New Zealand Beer Awards Gala Dinner will take place at The Hilton Auckland with major winners in the 2024 NZ Beer Awards to be announced. Tickets can be purchased via the website. brewersguild.org.nz
WITH DRY July upon us, official drink sponsor Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic is encouraging businesses to think differently and encourage consumer participation by swapping spirits for non-alcoholic serves.
“Lyre’s exists to change the way the world drinks, and through our partnership with the Dry July Foundation we hope to change the perception of what going sober for a month looks like,” shares Marc Romanin, Lyre’s Marketing Manager.
“It’s a great cause, an important reason to fundraise and if it can introduce some people towards sober curiosity or moderating their alcohol consumption even after the month ends that is success in our eyes.”
“The social aspect of drinking doesn’t need to get in the way of supporting the cause, and this is something we’re hoping venues are
also able to communicate to consumers who are considering participating or are participating in Dry July. Being dry doesn’t just mean ordering a soda – with Lyre’s you can have the same cocktail as your friend, minus the booze.”
For no-and-low alcohol consumers, being included in social occasions and on-premise bears significant importance, which is why Lyre’s will work with key groups and venues across the country to offer sophisticated, non-alcoholic cocktails and ready-to-drink options such as Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz and G&T.
Throughout the month of July, Lyre’s is partnering with key independent venues and groups including Star Group and Hilton across the country to activate “Menus with a Cause”, where dollar donations from the sale of every Lyre’s cocktail are donated directly to Dry July
Sunday 4 – Tuesday 6 August
NZ Bar Con (vention) – Auckland
An inaugural trade event dedicated to New Zealand hospitality with three days of seminars, tastings, bar takeovers and more. Details will be available on the website. nzbarcon.com
Thursday 22 August
Beervana Trade Show – Wellington
An event for key buyers to meet breweries exhibiting at Beervana. Open to hospo professionals and tourism operators, brewery sales and marketing, importers and exporters, suppliers, and media. Register at the website. beervana.co.nz
Friday 23 – Saturday 24 August
Beervana – Wellington
New Zealand’s biggest beer festival will be held over two days at Sky Stadium. beervana.co.nz
Thursday 29 – Friday 30 August
Altogether Unique 2024 – Wellington
The annual wine industry event will be held at Te Papa and includes the Wine Business Forum, Celebration Dinner, Women in Wine Breakfast and the inaugural Research and Innovation Forum. nzwine.com
NZ Trust in support of those affected by cancer. Hang up the hangover, sign up to Dry July with Lyre’s
For more information on Lyre’s and to discover their range of Non-Alcoholic beverages and recipes, visit www.lyres.co.nz.
SO TONIC is the latest addition to the Tonic family from French specialist glass company Saverglass.
With a height of 260.7mm, So Tonic twists the silhouette of its predecessor Tonic, recognisable by its slight bend, shapely shoulder, short neck, punt and rounded carnette finish. In tune with the times, So Tonic also boasts an optimised glass weight of 546 grams, underlining the sustainable positioning of this container that is calibrated for success!
In keeping with its position in the greater Tonic family, So Tonic features a silhouette with common characteristics of a sleek design, a compact shape and a distinctive curved shoulder.
Super Tonic, Gym Tonic and the new So Tonic all take up the key attributes of the Tonic model: a short neck topped by a small,
rounded lip. The glass bases have special features such as a subtle punt mark that attractively reflects light, or a delicate punt. The slight curve of the body, a very important detail, offers a way for brands to personalise this body shape to suit their own preferences.
Careful design work, combined with the expertise of our master glassmakers, gives the Tonic family every chance of becoming an emblematic range in the Saverglass catalogue.
The different heights and the precise proportions of these shapes will appeal to a large number of high-end spirits brands, enabling them to compose their range by varying the figures of style.
Find out more about the Saverglass range 09 522 2990 saverglass.com
SO TONIC is one of those ultra-design models that brilliantly combine elegance and durability. You will find all of the ingredients that made its predecessor, TONIC, such a success. It has a slightly curved body, a characteristic curved shoulder, a short neck topped by a rounded carnette finish and a delicate punt. SO TONIC distinguishes itself from its original model by way of its 260.7 mm height, which majestically elongates its silhouette. This version also boasts an optimized glass weight of 568 grams, a feature that underlines the sustainable positioning of this container, which is definitely calibrated for success!
NEW FIGURES from the Brewers Association – the trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers – show craft breweries reached a record high in 2023.
The BA’s annual production figures for the U.S. craft brewing industry showed the number of operating craft breweries continued to climb in 2023, reaching an all-time high of 9,761, including 2,092 microbreweries, 3,502 brewpubs, 3,910 taproom breweries, and 257 regional craft breweries. The total U.S. operating brewery count was 9,906, up from 9,824 in 2022. Throughout the year, there were 495 new brewery openings and 418 closings.
Openings decreased for a second consecutive year, with the trend reflecting a more mature market. The closing rate increased in 2023 but continued to remain relatively low, at approximately 4%.
Driven by the growing number of breweries and a continued shift to hospitality-focused business models, craft brewers directly employed 191,421 people in 2023, a 1.1% increase from 2022.
CAMPARI GROUP has completed its acquisition of Courvoisier Cognac from Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory), paying US$1.17 billion for the renowned cognac brand.
Courvoisier has a unique heritage that dates back to 1828 and has long been associated with luxury and French refinement. It joins the Campari Group portfolio, which includes Campari, Aperol, Coruba, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, Appleton Estate, Skyy Vodka, Wray & Nephew and Espolón.
“2023 was another competitive and challenging year for small and independent brewers,” said Bart Watson, vice president of strategy and chief economist of the Brewers Association. “Nevertheless, even as growth has downshifted, small brewers have proved quite resilient, as seen in the increase in number of breweries, relatively low closing rates, and gains in onsite sales and jobs.”
Collectively, small and independent brewers produced 23.4 million barrels of beer in 2023, a decline of 1.0% from 2022, though craft’s overall beer market share by volume grew to 13.3%, up from 13.1% in 2022 as craft’s declines were smaller than overall beer volume losses.
The overall beer market shrank 5.1% by volume in 2023. Retail dollar value was estimated at $28.9 billion, representing a 24.7% market share and 3% growth over a comparable value in 2022. Sales growth was stronger than volume primarily due to pricing but also due to slightly stronger onsite sales growth versus distribution.
“As always, the beverage alcohol market and consumer demand continue to evolve,” added Watson. ”Many brewers are accordingly updating their operations to match those changes, focusing on their business models, go-to-market strategies, and brand strategies to help their businesses match those shifts.”
brewersassociation.org
BEAM SUNTORY has rebranded to become Suntory Global Spirits. The new name has been introduced as the company marks 10 years since Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc. in 2014.
The company says it has grown significantly over this time, from a US$2.5 billion-dollar company to a US$5.5 billion-dollar global spirits business with more than 6,000 employees around the world.
The rebrand includes the launch of a new website
and visual identity.
“Suntory Global Spirits demonstrates our global leadership and premium position in the market, while enabling us to build upon the strong and positive brand recognition that Suntory has worldwide,” said Greg Hughes, President & CEO of Suntory Global Spirits.
“The dedication that Suntory CEO Tak Niinami and Suntory Holdings have shown to advancing our culture and business growth – while also preserving the legacy of craftsmanship
and interplay of traditions exemplified in brands from Jim Beam to Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark to Yamazaki – is extraordinary. Becoming Suntory Global Spirits is the natural next step in our evolution.”
The company says that the rebrand is expected to help it drive value as one global team and focus on key priorities including American whiskey, Japanese spirits, Scotch, tequila and ready-to-drink, while providing flexibility for growth in the future.
What to know about a shift in cocktail culture and the power of loyalty programmes…
THE ONGOING rise in the popularity of cocktails, in traditional hand-mixed as well as ready-to-drink forms, is benefitting from the emergence of Generation Z into the alcohol market. (That’s the generation generally regarded as those born from the mid-late 90s through to the early 2010s, also known as ‘Zoomers’.)
However, data and analytics company GlobalData warns that cocktail culture risks stagnation if it becomes overly fixated on nostalgic themes. In its report, Industry Insights: Cocktail Culture, Global Data says that Gen Z’s inclination towards quality over quantity and their demand for
innovation and relevance in their drinking experiences is shaping the evolving landscape of cocktail consumption.
Richard Parker, Principal Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments:
“Cocktail culture is an historic trend that has undergone several movements over its more than 200-year history. In 2024, it has been influenced by relatively recent developments: the craft alcohol craze, home-based indulgence and entertaining during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased RTD product diversity and sophistication, and the emergence of a more experiential, quality not quantityfocused Gen Z.
“The nature of Gen Z, as the heir to Millennials’ role as the defining consumer generation in the 2020s-2030s, is key in guiding the demand space evolution for alcoholic beverages.”
“Tradition has been described as an anchor weighing down innovation in the cocktail marketplace.”
A new approach for Gen Z Survey findings by GlobalData show a generational effect in how consumers described their spending on pubs, clubs, or bars. Gen Z is well above average by generation in terms of reporting very high spend on-trade. This is despite the widely accepted view that Zoomers are more ambivalent to alcohol than their predecessors, with different values and goals. The data reinforces the idea of Zoomers as a key generation for “less but better” consumption.
Parker notes: “Tradition has been described as an anchor weighing down innovation in the cocktail marketplace. The old favourites of the cocktail market remain relevant to a large degree, but they are familiar and not exciting to younger generations looking for relevance to their preferences and need for experiential challenges.
“Cocktail culture has a reactionary element to it, recycling trends from the past, which might appeal to retro connoisseurs and older consumers, but threatens the ability to keep the segment vital for newer consumers.”
Find more at globaldata.com
NEW RESEARCH from CGA by NIQ’s New Zealand Pulse+ Report explores loyalty schemes in the New Zealand On Premise and has found that a fifth (22%) of New Zealand consumers are currently enrolled in On Premise venue-specific loyalty programmes.
The report highlights the burgeoning role loyalty schemes can play in enhancing consumer engagement and retention, while examining highly nuanced effectiveness and consumer perceptions of such programmes.
It found that consumers who do participate show strong engagement levels. In fact, three quarters of enrolled consumers (78%) use their loyalty benefits frequently during visits to bars, restaurants, and pubs.
This high-volume engagement highlights the potential competitive advantage of loyalty programmes to nurture consumer loyalty and drive repeat business, in a time when consumer discretionary spend is down.
Tailor loyalty strategies
Restaurants emerge as the primary driver for loyalty engagement, accounting for two thirds of programme uptake amongst 18-34 years olds (66%), 88% amongst 35-54-year-olds, and 60% amongst the 55+ demographic.
On the other hand, loyalty programmes are more popular in pubs amongst 35-54-year-olds and 55+ consumers than they are amongst younger drinkers. By comparison, 18-34 years olds are more likely to use loyalty schemes in late night bars and cocktail bars, and the 55+ group accounts for most usage in RSL / sports clubs.
This suggests a significant opportunity for venue operators and suppliers to collaborate on tailored loyalty strategies to resonate with their target audiences. The emphasis on exclusivity and unique rewards is particularly compelling for this purpose, with half of consumers (49%) valuing the select nature of
This
olds) are similar at 25%, there’s room for growth, notably among older consumers (55+), where participation drops to 17%. Promotional efforts focusing on both the immediate benefits and the simplicity of joining and using loyalty programmes could bridge this gap and boost overall participation rates.
Feed demand for rewards
Further insights from the report suggest consumers are eager for more extensive loyalty benefits, including food and drink combination offers, price reductions on specific days, such as half price ‘Wine Not? Wednesdays’, and rewards across different venues and experiences. There’s also a
high-volume engagement highlights the potential competitive advantage of loyalty programmes to nurture consumer loyalty and drive repeat business.
rewards available to them through these programmes.
This is why marketing strategies prioritising unique and exclusive loyalty rewards not available to non-subscribers or at competitor venues are especially attractive. It’s a persuasive approach likely to pique consumer interest and encourage greater participation in loyalty programmes, particularly among younger demographics, who show a keen interest in exclusive offers and integrated payment options.
In addition, the data indicates that while adoption rates among younger age groups (18-34-year-olds and 35-54-year-
strong demand for integrated payment systems, allowing customers to pay with points.
“Shifting consumer expectations and market conditions make it an imperative for ambitious drinks brands, suppliers and venue operators to understand and implement effective loyalty schemes,” says Tom Graham, Client Success ANZ. “At the end of the day, these programmes not only drive engagement but also build a foundation for longer term consumer loyalty and advocacy.”
Find out more at nielseniq.com
A YEAR after launching in the U.S. market, New Zealand alcoholfree drinks brand AF has secured a nationwide rollout through American retail giants Target and Walmart.
AF founder Lisa King says growth in the U.S. has been phenomenal since the brand’s initial launch with Sprouts and Amazon as early retailers.
She says the ranging in Target and Walmart is significant for the brand and the wider alcohol-free landscape. “Achieving distribution with such well-known retailers marks a huge milestone for AF, one that was unimaginable when the brand first launched in New Zealand four years ago. It signifies a pivotal moment as the category transitions from niche to mainstream and highlights the growing acceptance of the alcohol-free movement.”
AF’s U.S. product line comprises five ready-to-serve classic cocktails and a sparkling Rosé. AF’s products are distinguished by Afterglow™, a unique botanical heat extract that replicates the warming sensation of alcohol without the effects.
AF has now established a 40% market share in New Zealand and Pernod Ricard has become its exclusive distributor in New Zealand.
Pernod Ricard
RED BULL has released its new Red Bull Winter Edition as New Zealand heads into the colder months.
Red Bull Winter Edition Pear-Cinnamon is a limited time offering, featuring the taste of pear accented with a dash of cinnamon. It is presented in a distinctive magenta-coloured 250ml can.
Red Bull Winter and Summer Editions rotate through the current lineup in the Red Bull Editions series, which also includes Red Bull Red Edition and Red Bull Green Edition. These flavours are sold alongside the original line of Red Bull Energy Drink.
Red Bull NZ
U.S. ENERGY drink brand
Celsius is coming to New Zealand in late 2024, through a partnership with Suntory Oceania.
Celsius Holdings, Inc. has announced plans to expand into new international markets, growing the company’s global sales and distribution footprint.
“We’re pleased to introduce our refreshing, great tasting and functional Celsius energy drinks to consumers in Australia and New Zealand,” said John Fieldly, Celsius Holdings, Inc. Chairman and CEO.
“We expect to continue our international growth at a measured pace, targeting strategically important energy drink markets and employing our proven playbook to build a strong and passionate consumer base.”
Celsius has selected Suntory Oceania as its exclusive manufacturing, sales and distribution partner in Australia and New Zealand. Celsius previously announced a sales and distribution agreement with Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland, and sales in those markets are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024.
“Celsius is a brand which is breaking new ground and delivering a totally different consumer experience,” said Darren Fullerton, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania. “As we build Suntory Oceania, we are delighted to be partnering with Celsius to evolve our portfolio and deliver new growth opportunities for all retail partners.”
WHITE CLAW, the biggest RTD brand in the world, is now available in New Zealand through DB Breweries.
Originally launched in Canada in 2016, White Claw has had explosive growth in overseas markets such as the U.S., the UK and Australia. It has reached cult-like status through an amalgamation of internet virality and meme culture, global media mentions, celebrity endorsement and worldwide demand.
White Claw holds more than 55% of the U.S. market, and 30% of the Australian market since its launch there in 2020.
DB Breweries Senior Marketing Manager, Cormac van den Hoofdakker, says they are thrilled to be distributing
the iconic RTD brand in New Zealand. “We’ve learned through consistent and thorough research and social listening that Kiwis are familiar with White Claw and have been demanding its presence here for some time.
“This will bring a significant shake-up to the RTD market in New Zealand and we have no doubt it will be incredibly well-received by our customers and partners,” he says.
White Claw is made from sparkling water, balanced with a pure alcohol base, under 100 calories and is initially available in a 355ml can 4-pack in three flavours: Lime, Mango and Raspberry.
RRP $16.99
DB Breweries
AN AUSTRALIAN-MADE, Japanese and Aussie fusion RTD beverage created by two YouTubers has debuted in New Zealand.
Grog is the creation of Melbourne-based Max Stanley and Chad Roberts, who launched their YouTube channel Cold Ones in 2018, which is dedicated to reviewing and enjoying alcohol.
Grog is inspired by a Chūhai, or shochu highball, and is modelled after beverages the duo encountered on a trip to Japan. It’s made with shochu, vodka, and soda and comes in lemon, grape, or peach flavour.
The 5.9% ABV RTD is low calorie and with no added sugar.
With nearly three million subscribers, Max and Chad are regarded as Australia’s most popular alcohol YouTubers, but when it came to creating their own drink, they say they couldn’t raise interest from the major alcohol companies. “No-one took us seriously,” says Chad. “It was like we were speaking a different language when we brought up the potential of partnering with a YouTube channel. In the end, we realised that if we really wanted to do this right, we had to do it ourselves.”
On the day of launch, Grog sold out online within just a couple of hours. The pair began approaching stores and Grog is now stocked across Australia and has launched in more than 150 stores in New Zealand.
Grog is available in 330ml 4-packs at RRP $29.99-$31.
Grog
•
Pervinder Davies Associate at Corcoran French Lawyers specialising in alcohol licensing. pervinder@cflaw.co.nz cflaw.co.nz
Pervinder Davies has some advice on how to choose the right location for your licensed premises…
DECIDING TO open your own licensed premises is the first step in an exciting journey, but one crucial factor demands careful consideration: its location. A big part of establishing a licensed premises is assessing its potential impact on the locality’s “amenity and good order” – a concept that encompasses the overall pleasantness and orderliness of an area. Spending time on this at the beginning of the process can help you to identify any potential issues with a site early on, and give you a good basis from which to start when it comes to applying for a liquor licence.
Define the locality
The term “locality” refers to the geographical area influenced by your business. It extends beyond the physical boundaries of your establishment to encompass the reach of its activities. This includes any impact your business might have on noise, visual aesthetics, and foot traffic in the area.
Anticipate impacts
It’s essential to consider the potential effects your establishment might have. Will it introduce noise disturbances or contribute to increased littering? Think about other similar businesses and consider what the realistic consequences of your business operations might be.
Proximity to sensitive sites
Are there “sensitive sites” such as schools and childcare centres in the vicinity? The proximity of these sorts of institutions
requires heightened sensitivity when it comes to noise levels, pedestrian safety, and the overall environment. Any adverse effects from your business could impact the wellbeing of children and families within the community.
Existing conditions
Assess the current state of the locality, particularly in relation to nearby schools and childcare centres. Is there already a
Spending time on this at the beginning of the process can help you to identify any potential issues with a site early on.
delicate balance in place that must be maintained? Understanding the unique needs of these institutions is crucial in mitigating any potential disruptions that could be caused by your business.
Regulatory compliance
Understanding and navigating the regulatory requirements for licensed businesses is paramount. Familiarise yourself with district plan zones, licensing regulations, and any restrictions pertaining to the proximity of an alcohol business to schools and childcare centres. Compliance demonstrates your
commitment to operating responsibly within the community and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable populations. If you’re unsure of any aspects, seek legal advice.
Decision-making process
When seeking approval for your alcohol licence, transparency and thoroughness are key. Present a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts on the nearby locality, including schools and childcare centres, to demonstrate a conscientious approach to site selection. Engage with relevant stakeholders to address any concerns and collaborate on mitigating strategies.
Embrace responsibility
The choice of location for your new licensed premises is a significant one. Aim for a spot that not only fosters business growth, but could also enhance the overall wellbeing of the locality. By selecting a location thoughtfully and responsibly, you contribute to the creation of a harmonious and vibrant community.
Seek legal guidance
Encountering obstacles during the liquor licence application process is not uncommon, especially concerning the locality and the premises’ proximity to sensitive sites. In such instances, seeking legal advice can provide invaluable assistance in navigating regulatory complexities and addressing any concerns raised by authorities and community members.
The most-planted red grape in New Zealand, Pinot Noir is rising to greater heights with every vintage, says Joelle Thomson…
2023 Obliix Pinot Noir
RRP $23.99
Fistonich Family Vineyards
A fresh new Pinot Noir brand from the experienced hand of the Fistonich winemaking family. Plush red fruit flavours are captured in a vibrant, medium-bodied Marlborough Pinot Noir with notes of charred cedar, a hint of smoked spice and flavours of cranberries and plums. Sir George Fistonich employs winemaker Michelle Richardson and they make this wine from a vineyard in Ballochdale in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley.
2021 Te Hera Pinot Noir
RRP $24.99
Sanz Global
This is the best Pinot Noir yet from Martinborough winemaker John Douglas, whose focus is on top notch Pinot at his vineyard on Te Muna Road, just west of Martinborough village. The 2021 vintage was exceptional: hot, dry and sunny with small crops leading to wines of great concentration, such as this intensely aromatic, medium-bodied expression of Martinborough Pinot Noir.
2022 Villa Maria Cellar Selection
Pinot Noir
RRP $25.99
Villa Maria
A light-bodied, gently smoky Pinot Noir with savoury aromas and red fruit notes. A wine for drinking now and over the next 12-18 months.
2021 Leefield Station Pinot Noir
RRP $27.99
Lion
Leefield Station in Waihopai Valley offers the unique combination of a working vineyard alongside a working sheep and beef station. Aromas of wild mushroom, black cherries and a trace of gunpowder open this Marlborough Pinot Noir, leading into an opulent and layered wine with rich fruit and subtle spicy French oak.
2022 RUA Pinot Noir Central Otago
RRP $27.99
Hancocks
Rua Pinot Noir is one of New Zealand’s best wines under $30 and is made from grapes grown in two of Central Otago’s sub regions: Pisa (53%) and Bannockburn (47%). Flavours of fresh red cherries burst out of this light-bodied wine, which is dry with notes of complex smoked spice. Enjoy now or over the next five years.
2021 Te Tera Pinot Noir
RRP $28.99
Lion
Te Tera consistently represents excellent value for money, putting Pinot Noir’s most savoury, juicy foot forward, and is one of Martinborough’s best Pinot Noirs. It is made from a single vineyard on Frater’s Road, slightly south of the village, and offers the quality and style often reserved for far higher-priced wines.
2022 Matahiwi Pinot Noir
RRP $29.99
Matahiwi Estate
Talented winemaker Miles Dineen brings out the best in this savoury take on Pinot Noir, which has a silky texture and spicy aromas leading into a red-fruited, light-bodied wine. It is made with grapes grown in the northern Wairarapa and offers very good quality and an authentic style of Pinot Noir at a lower price.
2023 Čuvar Iris Pinot Noir
RRP $29.99
Fistonich Family Vineyards
Subtle notes of smoked mushrooms, red cherries and ripe plums vie for attention in each sip of this lovely youthful Pinot Noir made from grapes grown on the Ballochdale Vineyard in the Awatere Valley. This is a relatively cool, relatively windy part of Marlborough’s vast vineyard area. The vineyard is 300 metres above sea level, lending the wine a freshness and crisp acidity that gives it an elegant structure.
2022 Spy Valley Pinot Noir
RRP $32.90
Red+White Cellar
Winemakers Wendy Stuckey and Adam McCone have made a lovely, light-bodied and lusciously drinkable Pinot Noir in this mid-tier wine from Spy Valley. Crisp acidity and dry flavours are balanced beautifully by bright, bold red cherry aromas and a lingering fruity taste. Sensational drinking now and will hold for another two to three years.
2022 Whitehaven Marlborough
Pinot Noir
RRP $34.99
Whitehaven
Whitehaven now has a full-time Pinot Noirdedicated winemaker, which shows in the incredible depth and deliciousness of its wines, particularly its flagship Whitehaven Pinot Noir. This is a very good example of South Island Pinot from a good vintage. Flavours are initially savoury depths leading into a red fruit-perfumed Pinot Noir, which drinks well now and will evolve further over the next three to four years.
2018 Porters Kereru Pinot Noir
RRP $34.99
Porters
This lovely six-year-old Pinot Noir has complex savoury aromas and bright red fruit flavours. It is a labour of love for the Porter family, who give back to the environment by donating a portion of the proceeds of each bottle to native bush regeneration. Very good drinking now or hold for another two years.
2020 Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Noir
RRP $35
Astrolabe
Winemaker Simon Waghorn is known for his exceptional white wines, so it may surprise some to discover that he and his winemaking family are delving deeply into making some exceptional Pinot Noirs. This one is a blend of grapes grown around the Marlborough region, creating a seamlessly smooth, lightly spicy wine with a medium body. Drinks very nicely now and has another three to four years up its sleeve.
2020 Forrest Marlborough Pinot Noir
RRP $35
Forrest
Pinot Noir is aptly described by the Forrest family as the “queen” of cool climate red wine and this lithe, vibrantly fresh, dry, silky wine proves the point. Flavours here are of macerated red cherries and red plums, captured in a medium-bodied wine with a savoury note on the finish. The grapes that went into this wine were grown on the Forrest family’s Southern Valleys vineyard on a site planted 25 years ago.
2022 Te Kairanga Runholder Pinot Noir
RRP $35.99
Lion
Runholder Pinot Noir is one of the great, consistent Pinots under $40 in New Zealand. Typically savoury in flavour, it has fabulous complexity when first released and potential for ageing. Winemaker John Kavanagh brings depth to this wine, highlighting both fruit freshness with red cherry aromas and beautiful savoury notes of oak influence. Lovely now and over the next two to three years.
2021 Dicey Bannockburn Pinot Noir
RRP $38.99
Red+White Cellar
“Best yet” is always a big call, but it’s an easy one to make with this exceptional Pinot Noir from a very good vintage in Bannockburn. This wine is bright, fruit-forward and complex with delicious depth of flavour: spice notes are supported by bold cherry aromas and fleshy dark plum notes in the mid-palate, leading to a lingering finish. The grapes come from both the Inlet and Black Rabbit vineyards, (60% and 40% of this wine respectively) owned by brothers James and Matt Dicey, who own Dicey Wines.
2022 Big Sky Pinot Noir
RRP $39.99
Big Sky Wines
Big Sky’s home in Te Muna Valley to the east of Martinborough is now on a par with Bannockburn in Central Otago as a wine sub region, and is also devoted strongly to Pinot Noir. Jeremy Corban and Katherine Jacobs make a layered range of beautiful Pinots such as this lively, youthful wine from a tricky vintage, but which delivers delicious flavour in spades, nonetheless. Dark aromas are captured in a smooth, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with aromas of cranberries, dried plum and dark cherries. Lovely now and for the next three to four years.
2021 Nga Waka Martinborough
Pinot Noir
RRP $40
Hancocks
A consistently outstanding Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand’s smallest wine regions. A velvety-textured wine, it has great intensity of flavour with red and black cherries coupled with notes of spice, nuances of oak and a smoky aroma on the finish.
2020 Nautilus Southern Valleys
Pinot Noir
RRP $40
Negociants
Nautilus winemaker Clive Jones has had a longheld mission to make a great expression of Pinot Noir from Marlborough and is succeeding impressively each year with wines such as this: deep ruby in colour with rich, red fruit flavours and spicy notes in a medium body. It is elegant, fresh, layered in flavour and with good ageing potential.
2023 Craggy Range Te Muna
Pinot Noir
RRP $42.99
Vintners
Here is a youthfully vibrant Pinot Noir from the Te Muna Valley, a fast-growing sub region of Martinborough. Craggy Range has the largest land area planted in vines in Martinborough and all of its vineyards are on Te Muna Road, a place in which Pinot Noir does extremely well, making wines such as this beautifully structured, earthy Pinot Noir. It drinks well now and can hold for two to three years.
2022 Wild Holly Pinot Noir
RRP $44.99
Matahiwi Estate
This is wild yeast-fermented Pinot Noir from northern Wairarapa winemaker Liam Macklin, whose inspiration is complex wines with great longevity. This wine comes into its own with decanting, offering layers of nuanced savoury flavours and bright youthful fruit notes of cranberries and dried cherry.
2020 Tatty Bogler Pinot Noir
Waitaki Valley
RRP $45
Forrest
This is a beautiful, light-hued Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s smallest wine region: the Waitaki Valley in North Otago. This wine begs to be decanted and rewards those who do. It has bright red fruit flavours with luscious red fruit intensity and fabulously lithe, silky textures. A special wine that drinks well now and will reward ageing for seven to eight years, potentially beyond.
2023 Huntress Pinot Noir
RRP $45.99
Huntress Wines
Winemaker Jannine Rickards (a.k.a. the Huntress) sourced all her Pinot Noir grapes for this wine from a small vineyard in Martinborough. The 2023 vintage was a tricky one and Rickards responded by using 25% whole bunches to create freshness and a tight framework around the red fruit flavours that give this wine its delicate fruit core. This wine has a medium body with a light touch of tannic depth and tastes best when decanted.
2021 Holly South Series Pinot Noir
RRP $49.99
Matahiwi Estate
Deep ruby in colour, this wine has dense, dry, dark fruit flavours of black plums and notes of spice, smoked mushrooms and red cherries. The 2021 vintage delivers very good quality, ripe fruit flavours and a medium body, which will benefit from time in the bottle and taste even better in four to five years.
2021 Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough
Pinot Noir
RRP $49.99
Villa Maria
This is a full, rich expression of ripe, cool climate Pinot Noir. It is made with grapes grown on four different vineyards in the Awatere Valley and the Wairau Plains, which combine to add complex flavours, earthy notes and dark, red fruit flavours.
2020 Astrolabe Comelybank
Pinot Noir
RRP $50
Astrolabe
Winemaker Simon Waghorn is a dab hand at creating powerful Pinot Noirs from top sites in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys where warm days and cool nights accentuate the best in the grapes. Fresh red fruit flavours and a vibrant framework of acidity add shape, length and depth to this wine from the Comelybank Vineyard in the Waihopai Valley. Drinks well now and can age for a further five to six years.
2017 Spy Valley ENVOY Johnson
Vineyard Pinot Noir
RRP $55
Red+White Cellar
A full-bodied, spicy, super-concentrated aged Pinot Noir from Marlborough. It drinks well now with layers of spice and savoury depths, but also has further time up its vinous sleeve to mellow. Decant and drink now or keep for another three to four years.
2021 Mount Edward Pinot Noir
RRP $55
Mineral
Mount Edward Pinot Noir is an excellent expression of cool climate Pinot Noir. It has red and dark wild cherry aromas to the fore, sitting in a subtle framework of smoky flavours, adding complex notes in the background of the wine’s vibrant freshness. It is a blend of grapes grown in the Cromwell basin area of Central Otago, which brings further complex notes to the wine.
2021 Escarpment Pinot Noir
RRP $55
Vintners
A complex, fresh, earthy Pinot Noir made from a blend of grapes grown in and around Martinborough village and Te Muna Valley, east of the village. 2021 was an outstanding vintage and the wines made from it are a great expression of New Zealand’s cool climate Pinot Noir. This example drinks well now with its savoury smoky aromas underpinned by red fruit layers of flavour. It is also a keeper and will age well for up to 10 years.
2022 Forager Pinot Noir
RRP $55
Forager Wine
Winemaker Dom Maxwell hand-picks the grapes for this wine from a limestone-laden vineyard on a place called Isolated Hill, 40 minutes north of the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury. This cool climate site delivers outstanding Pinot Noir grapes, which Maxwell ferments in tanks outside in the vineyard, allowing wild yeasts to do their work, followed by 15 month months of barrel ageing.
North Canterbury Pinot Noir is consistently underrated and consistently over-delivers, and this is a great example of that.
2021 Pegasus Bay Waipara Pinot Noir
RRP $57.99
EuroVintage
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir is consistently one of New Zealand’s best Pinot Noirs, both in its youth and with age. This is a wine of great depth with layers of complex savoury flavours. Intense dark cherry and dried red berry flavours are framed by balanced, vibrant freshness. The wine’s richness comes from old vines, an experienced and thoughtful winemaking team, and a great region for Pinot Noir: North Canterbury.
2022 Quartz Reef Bendigo Pinot Noir
RRP $59
Vintners
Quartz Reef Pinot Noir is made from a certified biodynamic and organic vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago, one of the region’s warmest sub regions. It is an outstanding site, planted in 1998 on north-facing sandy loam soils with an elevation of 217 to 265 metres above sea level. All of these factors add up to great wines, predominantly Pinot Noir. This is the flagship Pinot Noir of Quartz Reef and drinks beautifully now with breadth and depth of flavour: red cherries, dried cranberries and layers of red fruit captured in a refreshing wine with balanced acidity. It will be even better in six to seven years.
2021 Villa Maria Taylors Pass
Pinot Noir
RRP
$59.99
Villa Maria
One of Villa Maria’s top Pinot Noirs from a cool climate and secluded corner of Marlborough where warm days and high sunshine are tempered by cool nights. These conditions are essential for retaining the fresh framework of acidity that defines Pinot Noir and makes this wine so structured and complex. 2021 was a great vintage and this wine will age superbly.
2021 Dog Point Marlborough
Pinot Noir
RRP $60
Red+White Cellar
Dog Point Vineyards is an exceptional producer from Marlborough and the company owns the largest certified organic vineyard in New Zealand, home to the grapes in this full-bodied, smooth and complex Pinot Noir. This wine drinks well now (best if decanted) and has a long life ahead. Founder-owners Ivan Sutherland and James Healy (and their talented, supportive partners) are among this country’s most experienced and talented winemakers and in my top 10 every year.
2022 Palliser Estate Pinot Noir
RRP $60
Negociants
Palliser Estate Pinot Noir is a velvety, savoury expression of the great Pinot grape, and while 2022 was a tricky vintage this wine shines with gamey flavours and vibrant red fruit notes. Drinks well now and can also evolve beautifully for two to three years.
2020 Astrolabe Wrekin Pinot Noir
RRP $65
Astrolabe Wines
The Wrekin Vineyard is one of the great vineyard sites in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys sub region. Hillside elevation, denselyplanted vines and low crop levels all contribute to a wine with beautiful depth of flavour, an impressive structured tannic framework and a long life ahead. The grapes were hand-picked, destemmed and fermented with wild yeasts while maturation in old oak allows the wine to shine. Decant if drinking now, or age for four to five years and be wowed.
2022 Valli Waitaki Pinot Noir
RRP $79-$80
Great Little Vineyards
Valli is one of Otago’s greatest wine producers, putting four excellent single sub region Pinot Noirs together each year from Waitaki Valley (North Otago) to Gibbston (small in volume and cool in climate), to Bendigo (warmer, dry and windy) and Bannockburn. Each wine presents a very different, very high quality expression of Pinot Noir, highlighting the grape’s ability to reflect its region of origin. I have chosen this particular wine to show the diversity of Valli’s Pinot Noirs because it is the most edgy, typically the lightest in colour, and surprisingly the most powerful in structure and flavour. Scented red fruit leads into a complex wine with a spicy, long finish.
2014 Folding Hill Cellar Release
Pinot Noir
RRP $85
Folding Hill
This powerful, intentionally aged and newly released Pinot Noir comes from a windy corner of Central Otago in Bendigo. The site is now owned by Tim and Nikki Kerruish, who established this rugged vineyard area many moons ago, moving back recently to live on their beautiful piece of land from which they produce powerful, full-bodied wines with plush dark fruit flavours.
2020 Ata Rangi Kotinga
Martinborough Pinot Noir
RRP $115
EuroVintage
Ata Rangi winemaker Helen Masters created four special Pinot Noirs in 2020, each one from a single vineyard site and highlighting a different aspect of Pinot Noir and of Martinborough. Kotinga is my top pick of the four. It contains an impressive 40% whole bunch fermentation, which adds a bright, fresh framework to the ripe fruit flavours from the very good vintage of 2020. Fermentation with wild yeasts further accentuates the savoury flavour and bold fruit spectrum. Decant if drinking now, or cellar for up to 10 years.
(The other three single vineyard Pinot Noirs in Ata Rangi’s 2020 Limited Release Vineyard Selection are McCrone, Masters, and Ata Rangi Pinot Noir.)
2022 Quartz Reef Royal Series Anna Von Tirol Pinot Noir
RRP $135
Vintners
The grapes in this wine from winemaker Rudi Bauer are grown on the easternmost part of Quartz Reef’s Bendigo vineyard, which is the first to see the sun every day. This portion of the site is planted in a high-density fashion to encourage competition among the vines. Like all of the north-facing grapes grown at altitude on this site, this results in exceptionally highquality Pinot Noir. Whole bunch fermentation of 16% adds structure and freshness to the wine, lifting its vibrant flavours to new levels. A beautiful wine now and a keeper to age.
For distributor contacts see the Distributor Index on page 74.
There’s 20°C between night and day here. No wonder the flavour’s so intense.
2021 Aces & Arrows Syrah
RRP $27
Pernod Ricard
Aces & Arrows is a new brand from Pernod Ricard that gives its winemakers creative licence to experiment and make wines of their choice from their favourite grape varieties. Brewer turned winemaker Craig Thomas selected Syrah, and this lovely, fleshy, supple wine is the result. It’s a smooth, silky, textured red with appealing aromatic fruit character from a splash of Viognier and a hint of Malbec, which adds density and softness. Enjoy now and over the next two to three years. The range also includes a Pinot Noir by Pernod Ricard NZ Group Winemaker Jamie Marfell.
2021 Eradus Ana Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc
RRP $18.99
Stone Pony
Eradus Wines in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley offers a tangy take on the Sauvignon Blanc theme with this bold, fruity, dry white with its grassy and fresh herb aromas. Named after Ana-Sophie, the daughter of the winery founders, this is a straightforward style, fermented in stainless steel to capture and accentuate its fruit-forward flavours. It has a light body and long finish, offering refreshing delicacy and excellent flavours at an accessible price.
2021 Torlesse Albariño
RRP $18.99
Torlesse Wines
Albariño is a grape traditionally found on the Atlantic coast of Spain’s northwest. This crisp, fresh, dry white from North Canterbury is a different expression, offering an insight into the grape’s naturally pronounced acidity and slightly saline, tangy flavours, which are finding great favour with New Zealand wine lovers. This is a lively ‘drink me now’ dry white wine and suits Spanish-inspired food – serve with smoked paprika pan-fried almonds, or paella.
2021 Torlesse Albariño is a lively ‘drink me now’ dry white wine and suits Spanish-inspired food.
2023 Kaapzicht Chenin Blanc
RRP $24.99
Planet Wine
The evocatively named Kaapzicht (the word means ‘cape view’ in Afrikaans) Wine Estate covers an extensive 174 hectares in the Bottelary Ward around Stellenbosch in South Africa. Like many South African wines, this one is made from old bush vines growing on weathered granite and crumbly clay soils. A bright, fresh Chenin Blanc, it offers exceptional value for money. Ferment was in stainless steel to retain fruit vibrancy and the wine was given three months on yeast lees to add depth and textural qualities to what is an outstanding value dry white wine.
2022 Clearview Reserve Semillon
RRP $27
Clearview Estate
Semillon is one of the great white grapes of Bordeaux: France’s most famous fine wine region and its only maritime one. This makes Semillon a natural fit for New Zealand’s maritime climate, which enables winemakers to retain the grape’s naturally high acidity. Aromas here span a complex range from fresh green apple skins to thyme and creamy lemon notes, all beautifully balanced by lemon freshness.
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Joelle Thomson Journalist, wine writer and author joellethomson.com
Whether you sell wine, serve wine, or simply want to expand your knowledge, don’t miss the 2024 Negociants Fine Wine Tour, advises Joelle Thomson…
IF YOU find yourself at a loose end or with a thirst to quench in the middle of the year, here’s a wine tour with a difference. This tour will take you all around the Southern Hemisphere in one event – with dates in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
The wine tour in question is the 2024 Negociants Fine Wine Tour. If it sounds a little elitist (which the term ‘fine wine’ can do), rest assured, this event is open to everyone who loves wine, with sessions for members of the trade and for the public. It offers a delicious dive into a wide range of wines, places and insights into geography, climate, and culture on both sides of the Tasman.
Wine tours such as this are a relatively rare way to discover new flavours without having to commit to a whole glass, an entire bottle, or a visit to a winery.
Wine tours such as this are a relatively rare way to discover new flavours without having to commit to a whole glass, an entire bottle, or a visit to a winery. Speaking of which, plenty of wineries are represented with winemakers, wine marketers, and other specialists on hand to take visitors through their wares.
Distributor Negociants NZ has vast global representation in its eclectic, high quality portfolio. Every winery in this particular wine tour comes from the Southern Hemisphere and its New Zealand offering includes Rippon Vineyard, Two Paddocks Wines and Misha’s Vineyard
from Central Otago; Auntsfield Wines, Fromm Winery, Greywacke Wines, Nautilus Estate and Saint Clair Family Estate from Marlborough; Mt Beautiful Wines from Cheviot, and Pyramid Valley Wines from North Canterbury (but also with other regions represented in its range); Dry River Wines and Palliser Estate from Martinborough; Black Barn Vineyards and Smith & Sheth from the Hawke’s Bay.
From Negociants’ Australian portfolio, the tour will showcase Brokenwood Wines from the Hunter Valley, d’Arenberg Wines from McLaren Vale, Jim Barry Wines
from Clare Valley, Langmeil Wines from the Barossa Valley, Yalumba Wines and Chaffey Bros. There will be wines from the Barossa and Eden Valleys and last, but certainly not least, Vasse Felix Wines from Margaret River in Western Australia. This last winery was one of the first to establish a high-quality wine identity in Western Australia and has since forged a reputation for excellence.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience such a wide range of wines from around New Zealand and across the Tasman. Having been to this wine tour over many years and in different cities, I can tell you it’s a must-visit event for anyone keen to actively grow their knowledge and wine experience.
Christchurch: Monday 22 July at The Christchurch Town Hall
Wellington: Tuesday 23 July at Te Wharewaka o Pōneke
Auckland: Wednesday 24 July at The Hilton Auckland.
Trade sessions run from 1.30-4.30pm each day. Registration is essential. Public sessions run from 6-8pm each day. Tickets are essential and can be purchased via the website.
Visit negociants.com/nz/events
ENTRIES FOR the country’s largest wine judging competition have opened. The New Zealand International Wine Show will be accepting entries for the 2024 event until Friday 6 September.
Bob Campbell MW will return as Chief Judge with assistant chief judges Larry McKenna, John Hancock, Tony Bish and 20 senior judges.
As well as medals, judges will also award Trophies and name a Champion Winemaker and Champion Wine of the Show, to be announced at an awards function on 18 October. The recipient of the Sir George Fistonich Medal will also be revealed at this event.
Full entry details at nziws.co.nz
THE TOP 12 red wines from Hawke’s Bay’s renowned Gimblett Gravels have been announced in the 2022 Annual Vintage Selection (AVS).
The wines were selected by Master of Wine Andrew Caillard. It is the 15th year of this initiative from the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association, designed to provide a snapshot of each vintage and help to chart the evolution of Gimblett Gravels wines.
Despite weather-related challenges during the 2022 vintage, Andrew noted that the unique terroir of the Gimblett Gravels, coupled with excellent custodianship, resulted in exemplary wines. “The free draining Omahu gravel banks, a warmer microclimate, reflected heat into the canopy and vineyard management techniques have all played a role in mitigating the challenges.”
The 2022 Annual Vintage Selection will comprise the following wines (in alphabetical order): Blended reds (Bordeaux varieties)
• Church Road 1 Malbec
• Esk Valley Artisanal Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
• Mills Reef Reserve Merlot
• Mission Reserve Merlot
• Squawking Magpie The Nest
• Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett
• Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah
• Church Road Tom Syrah
• Craggy Range Le Sol
• Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Syrah
• Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Serine Syrah
• Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Reserve Syrah
thegimblettgravels.com
NEW ZEALAND wines have claimed two out of seven of the International Varietal Trophies at the International Wine Challenge.
Kennedy Point Vineyard on Waiheke Island won the International Syrah Trophy for its 2021 Syrah, while Church Road in Hawke’s Bay won the International Chardonnay Trophy for its Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2021. Now in its 40th year, the International Wine Challenge is a highly regarded global competition, with wines from 38 countries judged at this year’s event.
Other major Trophy winners included the International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy for The Pennant Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 from Robert Oatley in Western Australia and the International Malbec Trophy for Gran Dante Malbec 2021 from Argentina’s Bodega Dante Robino. The International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy went to Les 101 Rangs 2019 from France’s Château de Tracy and Edouard Delaunay won the International Pinot Noir Trophy for the ninth year in a row, for CharmesChambertin Grand Cru 2021.
New Zealand Merlot Trophy, New Zealand Red Trophy: Church Road 1 Merlot, 2021
New Zealand Syrah Trophy: Kennedy Point Syrah 2021
New Zealand Chardonnay Trophy, New Zealand White Trophy: Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay, 2021
New Zealand Pinot Noir Trophy: McArthur Ridge Brassknocker, 2022
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy: The King’s Favour Sauvignon Blanc, 2023
New Zealand Sweet Trophy: The King’s Series ‘A Sticky End’ Noble Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
The full list of medal and trophy winners is available online. The IWC Champion Wines for 2024, which are selected following a re-tasting by the IWC Co-Chairs of all the trophywinning wines, will be revealed at the IWC 2024 Awards announcement on 9 July.
internationalwinechallenge.com
APPELLATION
MARLBOROUGH Wine has moved to strengthen its quality criteria by introducing a minimum sugar ripeness level for wines seeking certification by the industry body.
AMW says its members voted unanimously that, with the exception of fruit destined for low alcohol product, wine must be made exclusively from
grapes exceeding 18 Brix at harvest.
It says that this figure aligns with comparable prestigious wine regions in Europe. In addition, all AMW-certified wine must be sourced from a more limited area, which is demarcated on the organisation’s Wine Map of Marlborough.
Established in 2018, Appellation Marlborough
appellationmarlboroughwine.co.nz
Wine is now trademarked in all key global wine markets. Producers can apply for certification, which requires wines to be sourced exclusively from sustainably registered vineyards within the region, bottled domestically, and independently verified by an experienced tasting panel.
THE REAL Review has announced its annual ranking of the top wineries of New Zealand, with Bannockburn producer Felton Road crowned Winery of the Year New Zealand 2024.
The Real Review is a digital platform with an international expert tasting
team that reviews around 10,000 wines per year, with a focus on Australia and New Zealand.
This is the seventh year that The Real Review has released its New Zealand list and the results follow an intensive tasting of over 3,500 wines independently ranked by its tasting team, led by critics Bob Campbell MW, Huon Hooke and including Stephen Wong MW and others.
Felton Road has never ranked lower than sixth place, but 2024 marks the first time it has been in the top position.
Completing the top five ranking of this year’s list are Destiny Bay (#2, Waiheke Island), Church Road (#3, Hawke’s Bay), Ata Rangi (#4, Martinborough) and Craggy Range (#5, Hawke’s Bay).
See the full list at therealreview.com
PEGASUS BAY Riesling
Bel Canto 2011 has won a prestigious international tasting known as The Judgement of London.
The event was designed to pit the best wines of Europe against those from the rest of the world and was inspired by a famous blind wine tasting held in 1976, which became known as The Judgement of Paris.
The London event took place in May, with 32 wines selected by Sarah Abbott MW, MD of Swirl Wine Group and Ronan Sayburn MS, CEO of The Court of Master Sommeliers.
The wines were tasted over a period of four hours by 21 judges, twothirds of whom were either Masters of Wine or Master Sommeliers. The wines were tasted under exam conditions: eight pairs of white wines, followed by eight pairs of red wines; each pairing comprised a European wine with their Rest of World counterpart, matched in terms of style.
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto was named the Top Scoring White and then Top Scoring Overall Wine.
“Having our Bel Canto Riesling selected as one of the 16 wines to represent the very best of the new world was humbling enough; however, having our wine selected as the best overall wine has left us speechless,” said Edward Donaldson, Marketing Manager, Pegasus Bay.
Full results at londonwinefair.com
The chill is here and so are beers for darker nights (and some for conjuring memories of sunny days…)
Note: Beers are listed in order of % ABV.
Kaiserdom Lemon 0%
0% ABV, 500ml RRP $2.49
Q Liquid
The Kaiserdom Specialitäten Brauerei Bamberg has existed since 1718 and is the largest of the 12 breweries in Bamberg, Bavaria. As well as the standard German offerings they also produce a number of alcohol-free ales including this 0.0% Lemon: a 50-50 mix of alcohol-free beer and lemon soft drink. A shandy, in other words. The result is a giant 500ml can of sweet, lemony soda pop; pungent and lemony on the nose and sweet in the mouth with a hint of beer bitterness. Serve very cold or over ice.
Good George Virtual Reality Pale Ale
<0.5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $20
Good George
This is the second release in Good George’s Virtual Reality zero alc range (the first was a Hazy IPA). This pale ale has aromas of passionfruit and citrus and the flavour profile is full malt balanced with a soft, delicate, refreshing finish. A great addition to the Hamilton brewery’s 0% line-up.
Sunshine Drop In Natural Pale Ale
4.2% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99
Sunshine Brewing
Gisborne brewers Sunshine have come up with an eminently sessionable brew in their Drop In Natural Pale Ale. At just 4.2%, it’s a willing partner for an entire afternoon’s session with the pale ale style bringing decent tropical fruit flavours and bitterness. This natural, unfiltered drop will be a favourite of those looking for a simple, no-fuss pale ale. Would pair very well with seafood.
Mack Isbjorn Low Carb Red Lager
4.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.99
Q Liquid
Isbjorn is a particular favourite because where else would you get a lager with a rampant polar bear on the can? Hailing from Norway, Isbjorn’s Low Carb Red Lager is made with a special Finnish malt called Red Active, which imparts a slight ruby tone to the light brown drop. With caramelised malts and a balanced bitterness, Red Lager is a great sessionable option, with a cool red polar bear thrown in for good measure.
Staroceske Czech Dark Lager
4.8% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.49
Q Liquid
Hailing from Prague in the Czech Republic, Staroceske have produced a traditional Czech dark lager with a soft, creamy texture and a balanced taste, combining the characteristic malty notes of coffee and toasted bread with a subtle hop bitterness. A pleasant drop that would be a welcome change for lager lovers looking to switch up to something a bit darker and warmer over winter.
Sprig + Fern The Amazing Haze
4.9% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.49 and 888ml RRP $13.49
Sprig + Fern
Sprig + Fern’s Amazing Haze arrives in a veritable circus tent of a can – a riot of colour that looks more like it’s advertising a strong man act in the 1930s. Pulling back the curtain reveals a super hazy pale ale with soft tropical fruit notes and a touch of citrus from the Simcoe, Motueka, Nelson Sauvin and Ekuanot hops. Would be an excellent partner for smoked meats or biersticks.
Hop Federation Deep Space IPL
5.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 – also in keg Hop Federation
This new release from Motueka-based brewery Hop Federation packs a hoppy punch. Lager malts and yeast collide with NZ Hops’ trial hop NZH104 to deliver hits of stone fruit, pine, and tropical fruit on the palate.
Pacific Coast Laser APA
5.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 – also in keg Pacific Coast
Virtual Reality Pale Ale is the second release in Good George’s zero alcohol range.
Inspired by the light and nimble Olympic class Laser boats, Pacific Coast’s Laser is a lean and focused Aotearoa Pale Ale brewed in the West Coast tradition. The 100% Vienna malt base gives clean toasty malt characteristics while the generous amounts of New Zealand Cascade and Taiheke hops fill the flavour profile with grapefruit and lime. A clean and refreshing beer finished off with a firm but gentle bitterness.
Sawmill Chocolate Stout
5.6% ABV, 500ml RRP $11.99
Sawmill Brewery
A winter classic, Sawmill’s Chocolate Stout uses organic fair trade Arriba cacao from PureCoco for a smooth chocolate hit, and oats for velvety texture. Dark and creamy in the glass, this is a stout for serving in front of a roaring fire, or offering as a partner for (or alternative to) dessert.
McLeod’s Far Away IPA
6% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99
McLeod’s Brewery
‘Far Away’ isn’t a particularly definitive location, but McLeod’s Far Away refers to across the Tasman and across the Pacific. The Northland brewers have taken Australian Eclipse and US Idaho 7 hops and blended them in New Zealand for a big, citrusy IPA. The base has decent malting and the lemon sits atop the biscuity base – kind of like a lemon curd tart: slightly sweet, slightly citrus. Delicious.
Sawmill Aotearoa Series #48 Amplifire
Hazy IPA
6% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99
Sawmill Brewery
Sawmill’s Aotearoa Series is about showcasing the best New Zealand ingredients and the innovators who bring beer to life. Number 48 celebrates the innovation of Clayton Hops in the Tasman District. Intense tropical flavours and a wine-like aroma from Nelson Sauvin hops are amplified with Amplifire pellets from Clayton Hops to give a special intensity to this doozy of a hazy.
Sunshine’s French farmhouse-style ale Fig Biére de Garde is made extra special with the addition of figs.
Sunshine Fig Biére de Garde
6% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99
Sunshine Brewing
Sunshine’s French farmhouse-style ale is made extra special with the addition of figs. Biere de garde is a strong pale ale style from the very far north of France, the Nord-Pas-deCalais. Sunshine have teamed up with local fig growers Rose Cottage for this brew – half the figs were thrown in fresh and the other half were used to make a syrup for adding rich caramel notes. This complex beer has flavours of toffee and sugar with the figs shining through too.
Sawmill Red IPA
6% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99
Sawmill Brewery
A definitive beer for autumn, Sawmill’s Red IPA is a rich, red ale with citrus, berry and stonefruit aromas. It has plenty of rich malty character with a dry and moderately bitter finish.
8 Wired Wild Feijoa Vintage 2023
6.2% ABV, 500ml RRP $17.99
8 Wired Brewing
8 Wired have been producing this favourite every year since 2013, when they were based in Blenheim, but this one comes from their Barrelworks site in Matakana. The pale sour beer is aged for up to two years in wine barrels and then has another year incorporating fresh, local and organic feijoas from Helen and Peter at Quinta Feijoas. A must for feijoa fans and sour beer lovers alike.
Sawmill 12 Gauge
6.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99
Sawmill Brewery
Sawmill’s cult classic is back, thanks to popular demand. First brewed nearly 20 years ago, this grunty pilsner has plenty of hop character and a big malt backbone. One of the original outliers of New Zealand’s craft beer scene, this is a strong pilsner with a slight bitterness to offset any sweetness from the higher alcohol content.
McLeod’s Subtropical Stout
6.7% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99
McLeod’s Brewery
Waipu brewers McLeod’s have come up with a perfect winter warmer with their Subtropical Stout. Pouring as dark as espresso, there are roasted malts up front and rich coffee and chocolate notes throughout. At 6.7% there’s a fair whack of booziness coming through, giving the impression of a sweetened, fortified coffee. An excellent after-dinner drop.
Parrotdog Limited Release 15 - Bright IPA (NZH-109)
6.7% ABV, 440ml RRP $11
Parrotdog
A bright IPA brewed with the new Bract Brewing Programme trial hop NZH-109, this limited release from Parrotdog delivers big, punchy stone fruit, citrus and tropical characters with flavours of orange, grapefruit, and passionfruit.
Parrotdog Limited Release 16 - Hazy IPA (NZH-109)
6.7% ABV, 440ml RRP $11
Parrotdog
Like its sibling Limited Release #15, this beer is brewed with the new Bract Brewing Programme trial hop NZH-109, but in a Hazy IPA style for juicy citrus and tropical flavours of orange, mango and grapefruit.
Emporium You’re a Rebel and a Spy-PA (West Coast IPA)
7.2% ABV - keg only
Emporium Brewing
This West Coast IPA from Kaikōura’s Emporium focuses on old-school hop Centennial for a beer with upfront citrus and a firm bitterness. Focus your inner force with one today.
McLeod’s Harvest Moon Dark IPA
7.2% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99
McLeod’s Brewery
It’s an IPA but not as we know it. McLeod’s Harvest Moon pours super-dark in the glass – almost a stout – in a rich dark brown. The dark malt gives a toastiness to the IPA flavours brewed with Simcoe hops, which arrive as bold, pine-driven fruitiness. The best of both worlds for stout and IPA lovers alike.
8 Wired Hazewired NZ Hazy IPA
7.3% ABV, 440ml RRP $7.99
8 Wired Brewing
Warkworth brewing maestros 8 Wired have added Hazewired as their permanent range 440ml hazy. With a nod to their original NZIPA Hopwired, Hazewired uses Motueka, Nelson, Nectaron and Superdelic hops for a juicy and tropical hazy with classic New Zealand hop flavours and extra fruitiness from the yeast. Destined for classic status.
8 Wired Southland Hopwired
7.3% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.49 – out July
8 Wired Brewing
This is 8 Wired’s 15th birthday celebration beer and is a fun twist on their original Hopwired Hazy: it’s brewed with exactly the same hops as the original, except these varieties were grown in Southland. Location is everything and this beer is designed to illustrate how terroir can change flavour profiles and aromas in hops. A seasonal release for the true craft beer aficionado.
McLeod’s Harvest Moon Dark IPA is the best of both worlds for stout and IPA lovers alike.
Sprig + Fern The G.O.A.T Dopplebock
7.9% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 and 888ml RRP $14.99
Sprig + Fern
Sprig + Fern’s multi-award-winning Dopplebock cracked the Top 30 in the recent New World Beer and Cider Awards, in addition to 14 other awards at national and international beer competitions. Pouring deep and dark in the glass, six malts give a rich sweet toastiness white the alcohol gives notes of caramel and burnt toffee. The brewers recommend serving it a little warmer than usual to really bring out the malts. An approachable Dopplebock even for those new to darker beer styles.
Emporium Nap Time Spiced Imperial Belgian Red Ale
8.4% ABV - keg only
Emporium Brewing
This is a big beer in every way from Emporium. Pouring ruby red in the glass, Nap Time is an Imperial Belgian Red Ale packed with spices layered over classic Belgian Red Ale flavours. The alcohol is up front but the booziness gives way to the banana and toffee sweetness of the Belgian style.
8 Wired Crumbs Imperial Cookie Stout
10% ABV, 440ml RRP $11.49
8 Wired Brewing
A collaboration with Polish craft brewery Pinta, this is a big, bold, imperial stout. Pouring dark and creamy, this beer is inspired by cookies and jammed full of toasted coconut, toasted oats, vanilla, and cinnamon. It’s so good, you won’t want to waste a single crumb, but, unlike your average cookie, Crumbs packs a 10% ABV punch, so don’t go channelling the Cookie Monster!
Michael Donaldson reflects on a stand-out year for the New World Beer & Cider Awards…
IT
SEEMS like every year there’s a better, more diverse selection of styles in the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30 –and the 10th edition stands out.
The Top 30 features established and popular craft brands such as Garage Project, Parrotdog, Emerson’s, Panhead, 8 Wired, McLeod’s, Epic, Sprig + Fern, Bach, and Brave. And then there are the fast-moving up-and-comers like Lakeman, Mount Brewing, Three Sisters and Beer Baroness who are all becoming regulars at the top table.
Plus, there are a couple of stone-cold craft legends: Hallertau and Brew Moon, who have been around for decades but are stepping up to the Top 30 with impeccably made hazies.
Speaking of classics, the much-loved Steinlager Classic features in the Top 30 for the first time. In the past it’s included a number of Steinlager variants, such as Pure and Tokyo Dry, but this is the first time Classic has made it. Pretty good for a beer that’s nearly 70 years old.
Every year, there’s a smaller brewery showcasing the depth of quality around New Zealand and this year it’s Wanaka’s b.effect with their Social Experiment #22 IPA, a single-hopped IPA with Mosaic. In the cider category, it’s more business as usual with Peckham’s, Morningcider, and Zeffer – three of the best brands in the country again showcasing their skills. It’s particularly pleasing to see Peckham’s back in the winner’s circle under new ownership after Jody and Lois Scott took over last year following the death of founder Alex Peckham.
The variety of beers and ciders in this year’s Top 30 is phenomenal.
And there’s a special shout-out to Emerson’s, which has four beers in the Top 30, including their original brew, London Porter, as well as the low carb Super Quench, Reverb NZ IPA and massive crowd-pleaser Mexicoco, the 9.3% chilli chocolate porter.
There’s an equal hat-tip to Taupo’s Lakeman. Not only did their Primate Pilsner return after being last year’s Supreme Winner, but they delivered two of the three pale ales with Taupo Thunder and Big Hairy.
The variety of beers and ciders in this year’s Top 30 is phenomenal. Reflecting the massive growth in the “lifestyle” category there are two low carb beers
with Emerson’s Super Quench and 8 Wired’s Lo-Fi Raspberry Sour Ale, and three non-alcoholic offerings (Bach All Day IPA, Epic Super Zero and Zeffer Passionfruit 0%) and all taste fantastic.
On top of the many hoppy IPAs, hazies, pale ales and pilsners, there’s a wonderful array of quirky and classical styles too.
The most outrageous is Garage Project’s Pickle Beer, which will certainly pique a few palates. Three Sisters Wild One, made with the unique New Zealand Wilding yeast, shows how much flavour you can pack in to 3.2% when the yeast is a great part of the flavour profile.
Muito Bom from Mount Brewing is a Belgian Witbier with extra lemon and grapefruit zest on top of the usual orange, while ginger complements the traditional coriander seed. And Sprig + Fern’s G.O.A.T lives up to its name as the ‘greatest of all time’ when it comes to Kiwi-brewed doppelbocks.
In terms of greats, kudos to Brave Brewing’s Terrible Lizards and McLeod’s Longboarder Lager – they both doubled down on trophies won at last year’s NZ Beer Awards, proving they are objectively the best of their style in the country right now.
Last, but by no means least, is the Supreme Champion: Desperate Glory – a barrel-aged Belgian Amber Ale from 8 Wired and Auckland brewery Small Gods that’s been dosed with Chinese Keemun black tea, adding a light smoky flavour. It’s spectacular, complex, and delicious.
See the full Top 30 list on page 44.
A BELGIAN Amber Ale has been named Supreme Winner in the Top 30 of this year’s New World Beer & Cider Awards.
Warkworth brewery 8 Wired made the winning brew, Desperate Glory - Oud Bruin, which Chair of Judges Michael Donaldson describes as “complex and sublime”.
Champion Cider went to Peckham’s Cider of Nelson for their Hazy Apple Cider. Made with 100% heritage apples, unfiltered, and wild fermented, the judges described its aroma and taste as “divine”, comparing it to spiced apple cake.
The 2024 competition received more than 600 entries, each of which was assessed by an independent panel of experts. The Top 30 beers and ciders are available in New World stores nationwide for four weeks from Monday 20 May.
Other notable names in the Top 30 include Dunedin’s Emerson’s Brewery with four Top 30 spots (London Porter, Reverb NZ IPA, Super Quench Lower Carb Pacific Pilsner, and Mexicoco Chocolate Chili Porter) and last year’s Supreme Winner, Taupo’s Lakeman, with three spots for Big Hairy APA, Taupo Thunder NZ Pale Ale and Primate Pilsner.
Non-alc entries showed well in the Top 30 as well, with places for Epic’s Super Zero IPA, Bach Brewing’s All Day Original Non Alc IPA , and Zeffer’s 0% Passionfruit Cider.
Garage Project’s Pickle Beer scored a Top 30 spot with its lightly sour beer brewed with cucumbers and pickle spices, including dill, mustard seeds and a touch of habanero chilli.
• 8 Wired Desperate Glory - Oud Bruin *SUPREME WINNER*”
• 8 Wired Lo-Fi Raspberry Sour Ale
• b.effect Social Experiment West Coast IPA
• Bach Brewing ALL DAY ORIGINAL Non-alc IPA
• Beer Baroness Slice Of Heaven
• Brave Brewing Co - Terrible Lizards
• Brew Moon Waipara New England IPA
• Emerson’s London Porter
• Emerson’s Mexicoco Chocolate Chili Porter
• Emerson’s Reverb NZ IPA
• Emerson’s Super Quench Lower Carb Pacific Pilsner
• Epic Super Zero IPA
• Garage Project Bliss Lager
• Garage Project Pickle Beer
• Hallertau Summer Time Haze
• Lakeman Big Hairy APA
• Lakeman Primate Pilsner
• Lakemans Taupo Thunder NZ Pale Ale
• McLeod’s Longboard Lager
• Morningcider BLACK
• Mount Brewing Co Crazy Hazy Daze
• Mount Brewing Co Muito Bom
• Panhead Port Road Pilsner
• Panhead Supercharger APA
• Parrotdog Thunderbird
• “Peckham’s Hazy Apple Cider *CHAMPION CIDER*”
• Sprig + Fern The G.O.A.T Doppelbock
• Steinlager Classic
• Three Sisters Wild One #1
• Zeffer 0% Alcohol Passionfruit Cider
newworld.co.nz/Top30
LOW-CARB BEER Pure Blonde has relaunched with its first New Zealand TV campaign in years. The beer also has a new packaging design and Asahi says it is now 99% carb free and only 89 calories per bottle, and is brewed and bottled in New Zealand.
The television campaign debuted in early May and sees the brand return to the lush forests of “A Place Purer Than Yours”.
Pure Blonde Marketing Manager Stacey Solomon said: “‘A Place Purer Than Yours’ pays tribute to the first ever Pure Blonde campaign, which is instantly recognisable to beer lovers. We’re thrilled to take them back there with this new campaign as we re-establish Pure Blonde’s credentials in the market.” Asahi NZ
SPRIG + Fern Brewing Co.’s core range of beers has had a label redesign aimed at bringing more cohesion to the line-up. The refreshed artwork extends the Tasman Reserve tap badge design across a further 13 products.
Each design features the beer style prominently on the front, has tasting notes loudly tiling the background, and features a spectrum of colours chosen to reflect the brew or ingredients within.
Daniel Tipping, Marketing and Communications Executive at Sprig + Fern Brewing Co., says the redesign was a project several months in the making and the team is really happy with the result. “Our main aims with this project were to
bring some uniformity to our beers, make sure they’re readable from a distance in [Sprig + Fern] Taverns, are instantly recognisable on a busy supermarket shelf, and create more of a contrast between these and our – often loud – limited release designs.”
In addition to the redesign, Sprig + Fern’s core range has undergone a couple of other changes, with Local Pinner NZ Pilsner renamed to Pinner Pilsner, and Awesome Mix West Coast IPA becoming a permanent addition to the core range.
Sprig + Fern
KIWI BREWERIES have again dominated the three international categories at this year’s 2024 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards.
For the second year in a row, Garage Project, Behemoth Brewing, and Three Sisters Brewery were named the Champion International Breweries (Large, Medium and Small, respectively).
The Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA) programme is the world’s largest beer competition that assesses both draught and packaged beer, as well as design and media. This year, the awards attracted over 2,500 beer entries from 400 plus breweries from 23 countries, judged by 84 beer experts from around the globe.
Garage Project also won three Champion trophies with Champion International Beer and Champion Belgian/French-
Style Ale for Chance, Luck & Magic 2021, and Champion British/European Ale for its Pickle Beer.
The Garage Project team say they’re thrilled with winning the Champion Large Brewery title for the second year running. “Winning back-toback Champion Large Brewery trophies is a real testament to the quality and consistency of the Garage Project brewery team,” said Garage Project Co-Founder Pete Gillespie. “As the underdog going up against the largest breweries in the world with vast resources, to win back-to-back titles is really special,” added Garage Project Co-Founder Jos Ruffell.
New South Wales’ Stone & Wood Brewing Co. won Champion Australian Beer for their Hinterland Big Pale, which also took out Best Australian Style Pale Ale.
Melbourne’s Brick Lane Brewing was named
Champion Victorian Brewery and Champion Large Australian Brewery.
Other major award winners were Dollar Bill Brewing (Victoria) with the Australian Gypsy Brewer Award, while King Road Brewing
Co (Western Australia) won Champion Small Australian Brewery and Kaiju! Beer (Victoria) won Champion Medium Australian Brewery.
See full results at melbourneroyal.com.au/beer
The growing range of Scotch available in New Zealand spans an exciting spectrum of brand new arrivals and sought-after classic drams …
Note: Products listed as ‘POA’ appear alphabetically at the end of their indicative price category.
*Price may be subject to change from 1 July 2024.
Bell’s Original
40% ABV, 1L RRP $49.99
Lion
A smooth blended Scotch with a medium body and flavours of barley and cereals with nut oils, hints of wood and spice. The finish is short, with fruitcake and smoke.
The Famous Grouse
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Hancocks
This iconic brand blends The Macallan and Highland Park single malts. It has aromas of candied fruits, buttery shortbread and citrus peel, leading to palate of dried fruit, soft spices and a hint of oak.
Crabbie’s Yardhead
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $56.99 Whisky & More
A sweet, young single malt made for mixing. It offers notes of shortbread biscuits, vanilla, toffee apples and citrus throughout the palate with a kick of spice.
Bank Note 5YO Blended Scotch
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99 Glengarry
This 40% Speyside and Highland malt, 60% Lowland grain whisky blend was first made 150 years ago. Fresh, light aromas, a delicate sweetness, subtle spice and a mellow finish.
Grant’s Triple Wood
40% ABV, 1L RRP $59.99
Federal Merchants
‘Triple Wood’ refers to maturation in three virgin oak (for spice), American oak (for vanilla) and ex-bourbon (for brown sugar sweetness). A clean aroma with notes of ripe pear and summer fruit. On the palate there is vanilla sweetness, malt and light florals. A long, sweet finish with a subtle hint of smoke.
Grant’s Triple Wood Rum Cask Edition
40% ABV, 1L RRP $61.99
Federal Merchants
Grant’s traditional Scotch meets the exotic flavours of the Caribbean. After ageing in oak barrels, the whisky is further matured in Caribbean rum casks, adding flavours of tropical fruit, rich vanilla oak and a touch of sweet spice.
Grant’s Triple Wood Smoky
40% ABV, 1L RRP $61.99
Federal Merchants
A blend of grain and malt whiskies matured in three distinct woods. It is similar to Grant’s original Triple Wood blend but with more emphasis on peated whiskies to create a smooth and fruity taste with subtle smoke.
Chivas Regal 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99*
Pernod Ricard
A combination of malt and grain Scotch whiskies. Aromas of honey, herbs and rich fruit with flavours of ripe apple, vanilla, hazelnut and butterscotch. A rich and lingering finish.
Chivas Regal 13YO Extra American
Rye Cask
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99*
Pernod Ricard
Selective finishing in American Rye casks adds a mellowness to the Chivas 13YO blended Scotch with flavours of sweet juicy orange and creamy milk chocolate.
Chivas Regal 13YO Extra Sherry Cask
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99*
Pernod Ricard
A special selection of whiskies matured in Oloroso sherry casks, this is a rich blend with aromas of ripe pear, creamy toffee and a hint of ginger. The palate blends tropical melon, vanilla and caramel, with spicy cinnamon and hints of almond.
Chivas Regal 13YO Extra Tequila Cask
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99*
Pernod Ricard
A portion of this 13YO blended Scotch whisky is finished in tequila casks. It has aromas of sweet vanilla with lifted citrus and a palate full of light and fruity vanilla notes, laced with grapefruit and pineapple.
Black Bottle
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99
EuroVintage
Fresh and floral on the nose with oak, spice and hints of smoke. Silky, mellow and fruity on the palate with balanced smoke/peat flavour and some heather honey. A soft finish with nutmeg, pepper and smoke.
Naked Malt
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69
Hancocks
A blend of single malts matured for an additional six months in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks (hence ‘naked’). A rich, fruity and versatile whisky.
Glenalmond Highland Blended Malt
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99
EuroVintage
A blend of malts from a group of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries. A sweet aroma of malt, vanilla, caramel and spice leads to a soft, fruity palate with sherry overtones.
Johnnie Walker Double Black
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99
Lion
Taking inspiration from Johnnie Walker Black Label, the Double Black is a more intensely smoky expression, influenced by peaty West Coast and Islay single malts. Flavours of peat smoke, rich raisins and apples, pears and citrus soften into sweet vanillas and spice. A warming finish of oak tannins and smoke.
Tamnavulin Red Wine Cask Edition
German Pinot Noir
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99
Hancocks
Matured in American oak barrels and finished in German Pinot Noir casks to complement Tamnavulin’s sweet, mellow character.
Tamnavulin Sherry Cask Single Malt
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99
Hancocks
After maturing in American oak barrels, this whisky is finessed in three different sherry casks. It has aromas of vanilla pod, banana, caramelised orange and fresh ginger, with a warm palate of glazed nectarines and frangipane, sticky toffee pudding, and Seville oranges. The finish is complex and rich.
Tamnavulin Speyside Double Cask
Single Malt
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99
Hancocks
A double cask whisky matured in American oak barrels for a sweet, mellow taste with a rich, smooth sherry cask finish. Aromas of apple, toffee and honey with sweet marzipan and subtle tangy marmalade. The palate is fresh and mellow with pear, peach and pineapple flavours, and a hint of Demerara sugar.
Adelphi’s Private Stock Blend
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A blend of whiskies selected by one of Scotland’s most famed independent bottlers, Adelphi. Smooth with plenty of honeyed sweetness from Spey and Highland malts, a touch of seaside maritime notes from a coastal distillery and a gentle peat fire smokiness in the background.
Bonailie
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
“Bonailie” is a Scots Gaelic word for a drink shared with a friend when parting ways. This blended malt is produced by the team at the Bladnoch distillery in the Lowlands, marrying three single malts to create a whisky of sweet, creamy flavours and textures and a gentle nutty finish.
Hankey Bannister ‘Original’
40% ABV, 1L RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This 12-year-old blended Scotch has a slightly sweet aroma with hints of vanilla and oak. It is medium bodied and balanced with sweet soft vanilla and a slightly smoky finish.
Hankey Bannister ‘Heritage Blend’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The recipe for this Hankey Bannister is an inspired recreation of an original bottling of Hankey Bannister made between 1924 and 1928. It is full, sweet and rich with hints of Christmas cake and a delicate hint of smoke.
Loch Lomond ‘Original’
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Loch Lomond’s ‘Original’ single malt is an old-fashioned style of whisky with soft nuances of peat smoke and a heather honey aroma, leading to a more savoury character on the palate, which is rich and full-bodied, before finishing with hints of molasses and citrus fruit.
Speyburn ‘Bradan Orach’
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A very easy-drinking, quaffable single malt Scotch whisky with flavours of creamy toffee, citrus (particularly oranges, marmalade), delicate floral notes and a drying finish with a whiff of smoke in the background.
Glen Moray Classic
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99
Thirsty Camel
Glen Moray’s signature single malt is aged for an average of seven years in entirely ex-bourbon casks, the majority of which are first fill. A light, smooth, easy-drinking whisky with shortbread character, toffee sweetness and fresh herbal notes.
Tomatin Legacy
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99
Premium Liquor Co.
Time in bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks brings a light sweetness to Tomatin Legacy, with aromas of vanilla, marshmallow, pineapple and lemon. The palate delivers gentle flavours of candy, pine, lemon sherbet, apples and sponge cake ahead of a light, clean finish.
Aerstone Land Cask 10YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99
Federal Merchants
The two Aerstone releases (this expression and its sibling ‘Sea Cask’ below) were created to simplify the taste messaging in the single malt category. This peated single malt has a rich and punchy peat aroma with zesty citrus notes. The peat and wood smoke on the palate is followed by a gentle sweetness with hints of spice and ripe fruits leading to a lingering smokiness.
Aerstone Sea Cask 10YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99
Federal Merchants
Maturation in seaside warehouses adds a sea salt character to this smooth Speyside-style single malt. It has a light and floral aroma with delicate oak, leading to flavours of lightly toasted almonds, candy floss and a gentle vanilla oak, balanced with a touch of tannin.
The Deacon
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99*
Pernod Ricard
A new release in New Zealand, The Deacon is a blend of smoky Speyside and peaty Islay malt whiskies. In Scots, the term ‘Deacon’ refers to an adept and proficient master tradesman. The whisky has a nose of charred orange, sweet malty biscuits and woodsmoke, which gives way to juicy orange on the palate along with delicate spice, and tangy peat. The finish is sweet and smoky, long and smooth.
Glen Moray Classic Cabernet Cask Finish
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $77.99
Thirsty Camel
This sweet and full-bodied whisky is finished in Cabernet casks, where it develops notes of spice and fruit, balancing with toasted oak vanilla and smooth, warming flavours.
Glen Moray Classic Chardonnay
Cask Finish
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $77.99
Thirsty Camel
Finishing in Chardonnay casks gives this whisky its balanced characters of caramelised fruit, butterscotch and lingering notes of toasted oats. The finish is of nutty vanilla, soft cinnamon spice and gentle florals.
Glen Moray Classic Peated Finish
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $77.99
Thirsty Camel
A more intense and subtly smoked expression of Glen Moray’s Classic Single Malt. Matured in ex-bourbon casks for added spiciness, it has complex layers of peat smoke with creamy vanilla and a long sweet and spicy finish.
Glen Moray Classic Port Cask Finish
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $77.99
Thirsty Camel
This light and fruity expression is finished for eight months in port pipes (casks used for maturing port wine). The whisky picks up intense characters of summer fruit, dark chocolate and cinnamon and a distinct pink hue.
Glen Moray Classic Sherry Cask Finish
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $77.99
Thirsty Camel
Maturation in Oloroso sherry casks adds vibrant dried fruit and earthy, nutty notes to the hallmark vanilla and light oak of the Glen Moray Classic whisky.
Glen Grant Arboralis
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99
Thirsty Camel
“Arboralis” comes from the Latin for “light from within the trees”. Aged in ex-bourbon and ex-Spanish sherry oak casks, this whisky has aromas of dried raisins, honeysuckle, oaky malt and hints of lemon, with favours of oak and butterscotch that merge with dried fruits and a light spice.
The Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99*
Pernod Ricard
A portion of this whisky is finished in barrels that previously held Caribbean rum, creating a whisky with a tropical twist. Sweet pear, red apple and ripe banana on the nose, with a rich palate of caramel toffee and tropical fruit.
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99*
Pernod Ricard
A permanent benchmark expression created in tribute to The Glenlivet founder George Smith. The classic fruitiness of The Glenlivet is complemented with a creaminess and sweetness from selective use of American first fill oak casks. Delicate sweet orange aromas alongside flavours of pear and toffee apple.
Glenmorangie The Original 10YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99
Moët Hennessy
This original expression of Glenmorangie is aged in a range of ex-bourbon casks. It has aromas of citrus, ripe peach and vanilla, with a floral fruitiness and more vanilla on the palate. The finish is clean with hints of orange and peach.
Johnnie Walker Black Label
40% ABV, 1L RRP $79.99
Lion
An iconic blend that uses whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years. Rich with dark fruit, sweet vanilla and Johnnie Walker’s signature smokiness. Flavours of intense sweet vanilla give way to orange zest and aromas of spice and raisins. The finish is smooth and layered with rich smoke, peat and malt.
Laphroaig Select
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99
Suntory Global Spirits
This release combines five different casks of Laphroaig single malt Scotch. This includes whisky aged in Oloroso sherry butts, Pedro Ximénez seasoned hogsheads, first fill bourbon quarter casks and new American oak. The final addition is the Laphroaig 10, aged for a decade. A complex, deep whisky with notes of smoky peat, spicy oak, and sweetness.
Spey River Bourbon Cask Finish
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99
Brandhouse
Matured in traditional American oak casks and then transferred into first-fill American bourbon casks, this whisky has a rich, malty aroma with hints of cooked fruits. Crisp and fresh on the palate with malty sweetness, delicate oak, subtle spice and hints of toasted almonds.
Spey River Sherry Cask Finish
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99
Brandhouse
This whisky is aged in traditional American oak casks and then used sherry casks, adding subtle notes of dried fruit, cinnamon and oak to the aroma. The palate is rich and spicy with layers of sweet oak, raisins, apricots and fresh oak.
Wemyss Family Collection The Hive
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $82.99
Glengarry
A blended Scotch that combines multiple Speyside single malts to create a whisky full of honeyed sweetness, zesty citrus and floral character. Gentle with a rounded, smooth mouthfeel.
Wemyss Family Collection Peat Chimney
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $82.99
Glengarry
A blended whisky that balances fresh citrus flavours and nuanced smoke to create an approachable introduction to the peaty whisky style. Dried pear, fresh lime and barley sugar on the palate soften the smoke character.
Wemyss Family Collection Spice King
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $82.99
Glengarry
A big-bodied and complex malt whisky, Spice King has an initial sweetness that yields to layers of spice. Gentle peat smoke intensifies the spicy flavours while adding a punchy and peppery finish. An ideal alternative to rye or spiced rum.
Cutty Sark Prohibition
50% ABV, 700ml RRP $83.99
Thirsty Camel
A blend of single malt and grain whiskies aged in American sherry oak casks, this whisky has subtle flavours of vanilla and spice with layers of ripe citrus and honey and a hint of peppery notes.
Auchentoshan American Oak
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99
Suntory Global Spirits
Aged in bourbon barrels, this single malt Scotch has aromas of bourbon-infused vanilla and coconut with layers of zesty citrus fruit. The palate features vanilla cream, coconut, and white peach, with a crisp, spiced finish.
The Glenlivet 12YO
40% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99*
Pernod Ricard
This icon of Speyside single malt has a fruity aroma that persists on the palate alongside its signature nutty and citrus notes and strong pineapple. The finish is long and creamy.
Monkey Shoulder
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99
Federal Merchants
This whisky has a light palate, subtle sweetness from ageing in first fill bourbon barrels and no heavy peat. It has delicate floral aromas alongside zesty orange, peach and apricot. Flavours of creamy vanilla toffee, oak notes and a hint of spice lead to a smooth finish with a lingering sweetness.
Arran Barrel Reserve
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $85
Tickety-Boo
This entry-level single malt is 100% matured in first fill bourbon barrels and combines casks at 7-8 years old with older casks to create a fresh and vibrant whisky with the sweet fruit character that is a hallmark of Arran. It has aromas of apple and pear, leading to a balanced palate of citrus and light vanilla sweetness.
Glen Grant 10YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $86.99
Thirsty Camel
This Speyside single malt has aromas of sweet pear and vanilla. The palate has orchard fruit and rich malt notes leading to a long and complex finish.
Greign 20 Years Single Grain
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $86.99
Whisky & More
The original founders of the Macduff distillery in Speyside buy exceptional old barrels for the maturation of their whiskies. The Greign is matured in a mix of sherry casks and freshlyburned barrels, making the Single Grain a soft, full-bodied dram.
Cask Islay Single Malt
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99
Glengarry
A small batch single malt Scotch whisky, Cask Islay is matured in bourbon casks and has notes of juicy barley, citrus, burnt toffee and rich peat smoke.
Cù Bòcan Signature
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99
Premium Liquor Co.
The signature expression from Cù Bòcan has been aged in bourbon, Oloroso sherry and North American virgin oak casks. Light smoke intertwines with rich citrus and exotic spices. Subtly smoky and surprisingly sweet, it is an excellent entry to the world of lightly peated whisky.
Gladstone Axe American Oak
41% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99
Thirsty Camel
This whisky is made from a selection of malt whiskies from 14 different Highland and Islay malt distilleries and aged in American oak bourbon casks, giving it sweet mellow notes of vanilla, apple and spice.
Gladstone Axe ‘The Black Axe’
41% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99
Thirsty Camel
Like its sibling whisky above, The Black Axe is made from a selection of malt whiskies from 14 different Highland and Islay malt distilleries, but with a higher proportion of Islay whisky, giving it a smokier, spicier character alongside its notes of vanilla and stonefruit.
Glenfiddich 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99
Federal Merchants
Glenfiddich’s signature expression has sweet, fruity notes that develop into butterscotch, cream, malt and subtle oak flavours. The finish is long and smooth.
Jura Bourbon Cask
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99
Hancocks
Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, this whisky showcases Jura’s bright and fruity character. The ex-bourbon cask maturation provides aromas of vanilla and coconut, followed by apricot and creamy toffee with a touch of poached pear, cinnamon and cocoa to finish.
Glen Moray 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $90.99
Thirsty Camel
Aged in American oak, this is a balanced whisky with a subtle sweetness. Aromas of vanilla toffee, berry fruits and freshly cut herbs lead to a palate of toasted oak and summer fruits. The finish is sweet with subtle oak.
Deanston Virgin Oak Highland
Single Malt
46.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $91.99 EuroVintage
Part of Deanston’s core range, this single malt has flavours of candied fruits and vanilla toffee balanced with heather honey and a lightly spiced oaky finish.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5YO
47.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99
Moët Hennessy
Wee Beastie is the youngest Ardbeg at just five years old and was designed to be the distillery’s rawest and smokiest offering. There’s intense cracked blacked pepper, pine resin and a sharp tang of smoke on the nose, while chocolate, creosote, tar and savoury meat characters cover the palate ahead of a long, salty mouthcoating finish.
The Ardmore Legacy
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99
Suntory Global Spirits
This Highland whisky has a honeyed aroma with subtle peat. The smoke becomes more pronounced on the palate but is balanced by rich honey and spice flavours. The finish is full with lingering smoke and spice.
Auchentoshan 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99
Suntory Global Spirits
This Lowland single malt whisky has aromas of toasted almonds and caramelised toffee with a burst of citrus. Smooth on the palate with sweet notes alongside hints of tangerine and lime. The finish is gingery and slightly dry with a lingering nuttiness.
Bowmore 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99
Suntory Global Spirits
This whisky is matured in Bowmore’s historic No.1 vaults on Islay. Its trademark smoky peat aroma is balanced by lemon and honey, while on the palate it is warm with dark chocolate flavours, and smoky with a long rounded finish.
Tomatin 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99
Premium Liquor Co.
A smooth and silky whisky matured in traditional Scotch whisky, ex-bourbon and ex-Spanish sherry casks. A rich, fruity aroma leads to sweet flavours of ripe apples, pears and a subtle hint of nut before a long, pleasantly oily finish.
Cask Speyside 12YO Sherry Finish
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99
Glengarry
Aromas of almond, cinnamon, red apple and blackcurrant lead to a palate full of plum, spiced honey and zesty orange marmalade. The sherry cask finishing emphasises rich, spiced berry flavours.
Chivas Regal XV
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99*
Pernod Ricard
A 15-year-old blended Scotch finished in Grande Champagne Cognac casks. It has a rich, sweet aroma with concentrated notes of stewed apple, marmalade, honey, cinnamon and sultanas. It’s smooth and fruity on the palate with poached pear, butterscotch and caramel toffee, and notes of vanilla on the finish.
Jura 10YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99
Hancocks
There’s a smooth, smoky sherry sweetness to this whisky, which is aged 10 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in aged Oloroso sherry casks. It has a fruity aroma with notes of cracked pepper and dark chocolate, and flavours of stonefruit, ginger and freshly ground coffee.
Laphroaig 10YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99
Suntory Global Spirits
This is the original Laphroaig, distilled the same way for more than 70 years and the foundation for all other Laphroaig expressions. Rich aromas of peat continue on the palate, which is bold and smoky and has a hint of seaweed and a subtle sweetness. Full-bodied with a long finish.
An Cnoc 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
An Cnoc is from the Knockdhu distillery in Aberdeenshire. Light and smooth with a surprising depth of flavour. Fruity floral notes on the nose with some lemon, honey and vanilla creme brûlée. The palate is full and sweet and lingers on delicate spice and a vanilla/fruity flavour.
Ardnamurchan ‘AD/’
46.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Produced at one of the most remote distilleries in Scotland, this is the core release from Ardnamurchan. It retains the distillery’s signature lightly peated style and starts with apricots and zesty oranges, chocolate and Brazil nuts. The palate offers salty taffy, lemonade, Christmas cake and a warming bonfire on the finish.
Benromach 10YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The Benromach distillery is famous for its traditional style of single malt whisky, with flavours of crème brûlée, dried fruit, peppery oak spices and a distinctive, gentle background note of peat smoke that is not often seen in Speyside whiskies.
Glengoyne 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This expression from Glengoyne is matured in a mixture of the distillery’s typical ex-sherry casks, contributing rich fruits, and spices, as well as first fill ex-bourbon casks, for honey, citrus and vanilla.
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The ‘Double Cask’ is finished in a selection of first fill bourbon and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The nose combines rich fudge, fresh orchard fruit and an earthy note. It is oily on the palate with rich vanilla and more fudge; it has a slight briny character with a touch of warming spiced fruit developing.
Hankey Bannister 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The nose on this 12-year-old whisky is slightly sweet with hints of vanilla and oak. It is medium-bodied and well-balanced with sweet soft vanilla and a slightly smoky finish.
Lindores Abbey ‘MCDXCIV’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This single malt hails from the spiritual home of Scotch whisky, Lindores Abbey in the Kingdom of Fife. The distillery was founded in 2017 on the site of Lindores Abbey, which dates back to 1494 with the first recorded mention of malted barley being used to produce aqua vitae. Using locally grown barley, the whisky has a mellow vanilla, fruity, vibrant and buttery flavour with citrus touches and a hint of pepper from the wood.
Maclean’s Nose
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A high malt content of 70% and a significant presence of ex-sherry casks imparts a rich depth of flavour to this whisky. It has an interplay of burnt citrus peel, invigorating sea salt, white chocolate and the smoky essence of a bonfire by the beach.
Old Pulteney 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Hailing from one of Scotland’s most northerly distilleries, Old Pulteney is in the old fishing village of Wick. Pulteney’s whiskies are known for their gentle honeyed, vanilla sweetness, and a touch of marzipan nuttiness with a distinctive slightly salty tang.
Scarabus by Hunter Laing
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Scarabus is a single malt whisky selected by whisky company Hunter Laing & Co. to mark the opening of its Ardnahoe distillery on Islay. It has aromas of sweet syrupy pears, white raisins, freshly roasting peanuts and peaty smoke. A briny sea salt and leathery note adds depth, with a nuttiness and mace spice with vanilla on an oily mouthfeel.
Scarabus 10YO by Hunter Laing
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Aged in a combination of refill ex-bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks for 10 years, this classic peated Islay whisky is softly smoky on the nose. Hints of leather and buttery cereal notes develop. The palate combines golden syrup and vanilla with developing peat smoke and gentle spice. A long and lingering finish.
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A clean, soft and smooth nose with delicate touches of fruit, toffee and a touch of citrus. The palate is smooth, rounded and fruity with a hint of smoke and citrus in the background.
Wolfburn ‘Aurora’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This is the second expression from Wolfburn distillery, founded in 2013 in the seaside village of Thurso on the northern edges of mainland Scotland. Matured in a mixture of American oak and ex-sherry casks, the latter bringing more nutty, orchard fruity flavours. The malty, maritime flavour comes from slow fermentation and seaside maturing.
Wolfburn ‘Morven’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The new peated expression from the Wolfburn distillery is made from barley that has been traditionally infused with the smoke of burning peat. The smoke is soft to start, with aromas of fresh sea air and a fruity, floral tone. Full-bodied flavour on the palate with a tang of smoke and spice, and a vanilla sweetness that becomes spiced and gently peppery in the finish.
Wolfburn ‘Northland’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This is a traditional coastal Highland style whisky made with unpeated malt and aged in quarter casks that formerly held peaty whisky. Softly fruity and sweet to start, with buttery, nutty flavours that drift towards a very subtle and lingering peat smoke finish.
The Arran Malt 10YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $100
Tickety-Boo
Aromas of sweet oak and honey lead to a crisp, malty palate with a slight nuttiness in this whisky from the Isle of Arran. As the malt opens, the Arran hallmarks of citrus and sweet fruit emerge. The finish is clean and fresh with a lingering creamy sweetness.
Machrie Moor
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $100
Tickety-Boo
This is the peated expression of the Arran Single Malt. There is delicate peat smoke on the nose with a hint of sweet tropical fruit and vanilla. The American oak influence is apparent on the palate with more intense vanilla sweetness and a touch of coconut. The finish is fresh and zesty with subtle smoke.
Glen Grant 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $103.99
Thirsty Camel
Layers of apple pie, toffee, caramel and almonds emerge on the palate of this single malt. On the finish, soft summer fruits linger with honey and hints of spice.
Aberlour 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99*
Pernod Ricard
Ageing in traditional oak and seasoned sherry butts gives this whisky a soft, mellow character. Aromas of red apple continue on the palate with rich chocolate and a sherried character. The long finish is sweet and spicy.
The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99*
Pernod Ricard
The Captain’s Reserve is aged in bourbon and sherry casks before selective finishing in Cognac casks. Sweet, fruity aromas and a palate full of mandarins in syrup, poached pears, raisins and chocolate, leading to a smooth finish.
Woven Whisky Experience
N.15 Shindig
45.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $109
Glengarry
A blend of Scotch from six different distilleries, Shindig leans towards the floral and fruity end of the spectrum and is described by its creators as “a fun ball of flavour” with notes of pineapple, mango, lime, green banana, coconut and raspberry. The finish mellows into savoury thyme and balsamic.
Benriach 10YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99
Hancocks
This whisky is described as “classic Speyside” in character with maturation in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks creating a lively, fruit-laden single malt with notes of oak spices, green apple, dried fruit and subtle aniseed, lemon zest and barley.
Fettercairn 12YO Single Malt
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99
Hancocks
A honeyed aroma leads to flavours of vanilla and pear, with soft spices. Notes of nectarine and tropical fruit, with subtle roasted coffee, clove, and ginger. Lingering finish of sultanas and black toffee.
Glenglassaugh 12YO
45% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99
Hancocks
This whisky embodies the signature coastal style of Glenglassaugh. It is aged in bourbon, sherry and red wine casks for aromas of ripe apricot, fig and vanilla, with flavours of candied pistachio, date, fig, morello cherry and whipped cream with an infusion of fresh coastal air.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99
Lion
A creamy blend of Speyside and Highland whiskies. An initial delicate sweetness and gentle smoke on the palate develops into sweet fruit and deeper velvety, honeyed tones followed by subtle smoke and oak on the finish.
Kingsbarns Doocot Single Malt
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99
Glengarry
Aged in ex-bourbon and red wine barrels, this release from Kingsbarns has sweet floral aromas with a touch of tropical character. On the palate there is pineapple syrup, summer berries and a hint of rhubarb, leading to a finish of kiwifruit and citrus zest.
Lagg Kilmory Peated Single Malt
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $110
Tickety-Boo
This is the flagship single malt and first core range expression to be released from Lagg Distillery on the Isle of Arran. This expression is described as embodying “the house style of Lagg”, which centres around the use of bourbon barrels with its peated spirit. Aromas of heather smoke and charred citrus lead to an initial burst of fruit on the palate, giving way to subtle bonfire smoke and a lingering finish of citrus, smoke and vanilla.
The Glendronach 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $114
Hancocks
A richly sherried single malt matured in a combination of Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. Rich, creamy and smooth on the palate, it has rich oak and sherry sweetness with raisins and soft fruits. Spicy, with medium length and a dry finish.
Ardbeg 10YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $114.99
Moët Hennessy
This classic expression from Ardbeg is renowned as one of the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malts around. It has aromas of intense smoky fruit, zesty lemon and lime and dark chocolate overlaid with a sea spray minerality. On the palate, chewy peat meets citrus, black pepper, cinnamon and toffee sweetness with smooth buttermilk, ripe bananas and currants. The finish lingers with tarry espresso, aniseed, toasted almonds and hints of soft barley and fresh pear.
Bunnahabhain Stiùireadair Single Malt
46.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $114.99
EuroVintage
This whisky from Islay distillery Bunnahabhain is pronounced “Stew-rah-dur” and means “helmsman” in Scots Gaelic. This sherried malt has a brackish, coastal tinge with a smattering of sea spray and dried fruit.
Machrie Moor Peated Cask Strength
56.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $115
Tickety-Boo
This peated Arran Single Malt displays all the freshness of the distillery’s house style, with an added puff of smoke and earthiness. Citrus notes on the nose with a background of peat and smoke; a robust whisky with the typical orchard fruits of Arran coming to the fore over a layer of toasted brioche and red berries. On the finish there is citrus, smoke, chocolate, vanilla and coconut.
Woven Whisky Experience N.16 Loom
47.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $119
Glengarry
The Leith studio that Woven calls home was previously used to produce textiles – hence ‘Loom’ for this release. It is described as: “a vibrant pattern of contrasting flavours. Lively citrus zest to opaque smoke. Its individual threads combined to form a lively tapestry of textures, retaining bright flecks of flavour amidst complexity.”
Benriach The Smoky Ten
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99
Hancocks
This whisky has been crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and three cask-matured for at least 10 years in a combination of bourbon barrels, Jamaican rum casks and toasted virgin oak. It has layers of ripe fruit, aromatic smoke and toasted oak spice with a balanced sweet and richly smoky finish.
Chivas Regal 18YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99*
Pernod Ricard
A rich and multi-layered blend using various malt and grain whiskies from distilleries all over Scotland, including Chivas’ classic Speyside malt from Strathisla. Layered aromas of dried fruit, spice and buttery toffee give way to a velvety dark chocolate palate with floral notes, mellow smokiness and a lingering finish.
Cù Bòcan Creation 5
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99
Premium Liquor Co.
This fifth release in Tomatin’s Creation series has been finished in rare Andean oak casks. The mix of the wood’s unique properties and the whisky’s subtle smoke has resulted in notes of lightly charred oak with deep hints of exotic floral herbs and campfire banana splits.
Finlaggan Cask Strength Islay
Single Malt
58% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99
EuroVintage
This cask-strength expression from Finlaggan has intense peat smoke aromas and a palate full of rich, sweet smoke as well as iodine, lemon zest and mouthcoating oiliness. Waves of tarry peat lead to a long finish.
The GlenDronach Peated 10YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99
Hancocks
In contrast to the traditional, non-peated character of The GlenDronach, this expression has been distilled using peated malted barley. The subtle peated notes complement the classic GlenDronach Highland character of crisp fruit and barley, and the rich sherry notes drawn from the wood.
Glenglassaugh Sandend
50.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99
Hancocks
Glenglassaugh Sandend is inspired by the crescent beach of Sandend Bay on the Moray coast where the distillery is based. Aged in bourbon, sherry and manzanilla casks, it has aromas of buttery vanilla, tropical fruit, chocolate and sea salt. There is salted caramel on the palate with bursts of pineapple, cherry and grapefruit, and a kick of sea salt.
Glenmorangie The Lasanta 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99
Moët Hennessy
“Lasanta” is Gaelic for warmth and passion, which describes this full-bodied single malt whisky that is first aged in American oak ex-bourbon casks then finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. It is elegant, luscious and soft with rich raisin intensity, toffee and spices from the sherry casks.
Highland Park 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99
Hancocks
Matured predominantly in European and American sherry seasoned oak casks, this 12YO expression has flavours of heather honey, rich fruitcake, winter spices, Seville oranges and smoky peat.
Jura 14YO American Rye Cask
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99 Hancocks
Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon and hand-selected American Rye barrels, the casks deliver layered depth and complexity to this 14-year-old single malt. It has toffee apple richness and flavours of pecan pie with cinnamon, vanilla, honey, cacao and hazelnut. A warm, nutty finish with soft wood spices.
Talisker 10YO
45.8% ABV, 750ml RRP $119.99
Lion
The classic expression from the oldest distillery on Skye has powerful peat smoke aromas with a hint of briny sea salt and citrus sweetness. The smoke persists on the palate along with dried fruit sweetness, strong barley malt flavours and pepper. The long finish is warm and peppery with a sweet character.
Arran Quarter Cask
56.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $120 Tickety-Boo
This cask-strength whisky is aged for 8-10 years, matured in bourbon casks and then finished in quarter casks (40-80 litres), which adds more intense cask influence and ramps up the bourbon spice character.
Benriach The Twelve
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $124.99
Hancocks
To make this whisky, Benriach spirit is threecask matured for at least 12 years in sherry casks, bourbon barrels and port casks. It is a smooth, sherry-rich single malt, layered with baked fruit, maple honey and cocoa, and with a lingering sultana and spiced mocha finish.
Glenfiddich Fire & Cane
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $124.99
Federal Merchants
The fourth release in Glenfiddich’s ‘Experiment’ series, Fire & Cane is a blend of peated whisky and malts matured in bourbon barrels and finished in Latin rum casks, creating a whisky with lingering campfire smokiness and toffee sweetness.
Kingsbarns Falkland Single Malt
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $124.99
Glengarry
A limited release, Kingsbarns Falkland has been distilled from barley sourced less than six miles from the Kingsbarns Distillery. Full of sweet, fruity character, Falkland is packed with berry sweetness and subtle warming spices.
Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky
High Voltage
58% ABV, 700ml RRP $124.99
EuroVintage
The skull on the bottle is a clue to the intense spirit contained within: this whisky is deeply rich and intensely peaty with a rush of black smoke, creamy, nutty notes and a tangy sea salt finish.
Arran Sherry Cask
55.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $125
Tickety-Boo
This cask-strength blend of Arran Sherry Cask is 100% matured in sherry casks for eight years, rather than being sherry-finished. This additional time in cask intensifies the sherry character, with aromas of toffee, sweet spice and fruit leading to a palate of ripe fig and cherries with a long finish of dark chocolate, mandarin and fig.
Machrie Moor Peated 10YO
Single Malt
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $125
Tickety-Boo
A new 10-year-old release of the iconic Peated Arran Single Malt. Rich, sweet, spiced notes on the nose backed with peat smoke and ripe citrus fruits. This whisky embodies all the classic, fresh style of the Arran 10-Year-Old, with a twist of peat smoke in the tail.
Cask Orkney 15YO Single Malt
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $129
Glengarry
This whisky was created to celebrate the Neolithic folklore of Orkney. Aromas of clover honey, Parma violet and ripe peach lead to flavours of grilled plum, old-fashioned barley sugar, noble hops and caraway.
Jura Seven Wood
42% ABV, 700ml RRP $129.99
Hancocks
The ‘Seven Wood’ in the name of this Scotch refers to the seven different oak cask types used in its creation: first fill ex-bourbon American white oak, Vosges, Bertranges, Jupilles, Allier, Tronçais and Limousin barrels. It has aromas of coffee, ginger and a hint of milk chocolate, with flavours of caramelised peach, chewy liquorice, candied orange and a hint of sea-spray and smoke.
Ardnamurchan ‘Cask Strength
AD/09.22’
58.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The latest release of Ardnamurchan’s cask strength expression has aromas of orchard fruits and eucalyptus, moving to a savoury, salty character. To taste, rich butterscotch covers wooded tones of cigar boxes, with a hay-like earthiness and briney note. A lingering tangy spice of galangal and soft peat smoke embers round out the finish.
Balblair 12YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore
Matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks, this whisky is fresh and fruity with lemon peel, creamy vanilla and green apple aromas. The palate is succulent and oily, with more citrus again (dried orange) and spices, with a honeyed tone throughout. Finishing sweet, it lingers with a leathery oaky note.
Ben Nevis ‘Coire Leis’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore
Named after the natural rock formation below the peak of Ben Nevis, Coire Leis has initial notes of humbugs and barley sugars leading to honeyed vanilla, fresh pears and a biscuity, malty character. A more drying tone of grapefruit marmalade builds, with earthy spice (clove) and a fleeting whiff of smoke. A quintessential West-Coast style.
Benromach ‘Peat Smoke’ 2012
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Benromach is one of the very few Speyside distilleries to produce heavily-peated whisky, and this expression clocks in at an impressive 42 PPM (Phenol Parts per Million). Matured entirely in first-fill bourbon barrels, a very fragrant nose offers fresh vanilla, tart apples, white chocolate and rich, dense peat smoke. This carries through the palate with toasted marshmallow smores, lemon-lime sherbet and smouldering manuka chips, leaving a mouthcoating sweetness.
Benromach ‘Organic’ 2013/2022
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The first certified organic single malt Scotch whisky since 2006, this is the latest of Benromach’s acclaimed ‘Contrasts: Organic’ series and is fully accredited by the UK Soil Association. It offers an aromatic and sweet fragrant oaky note, rich with vanilla and toffees. Creamy mouthfeel with banana custard, moving to coffee and cocoa flavours.
Bladnoch ‘Vinaya’
46.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The latest release from the Bladnoch distillery was created by master distiller Dr. Nick Savage from a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The nose shows the sweet floral and buttery profile of the distillery, with a green apple freshness and touch of chocolate on the palate. A light and uplifting finish.
Edradour 10YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Edradour is Scotland’s smallest (legal) distillery and is in the hills behind Pitlochry in Perthshire. The 10-year-old expression is rich with big vanillas, and a lovely round complexity with a touch of chocolate peppermint.
The GlenAllachie 12YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This 12-year-old represents the classic style of GlenAllachie. A gentle nose of perfumed, aromatic honey and butterscotch are joined by raisins and mocha. The palate is soft and honeyed, with marzipan and bananas, while the finish is drying, with orange peel and delicate oak lingering.
Glenfarclas 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This is an excellent introduction to a richer single malt Scotch whisky, and one that is beloved by fans of the classic Speyside style. Glenfarclas 12YO has notes of dried fruit, hints of chocolate, toffee and a lovely spiciness on the finish.
Glenfarclas 15YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Light butterscotch, dried fruit and a big oak and sherry character mingle with hints of malted barley and a touch of dry peat smoke. The finish is long, with Christmas cake spices lingering on the palate.
Glenturret 12YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The heart of Glenturret’s core range, the 12-year-old is aged in a range of American oak hogsheads as well as a selection of European oak casks and is beautifully presented in Glenturret’s signature Lalique-style decanter bottle. The whisky has aromas of creamy vanilla custard, sweet baking spices and sweet oak. This is complemented by notes of cinnamondusted baked apples, vanilla, cherry pie, and sweet spicy oak on the palate. A lingering dry spice and sweet oaky finish.
Glenturret Peat Smoked 10YO
50% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Peated whiskies from the Highlands of Scotland remain rare, and this new expression from Glenturret shows the style very well: a mingling of earthy peat smoke, vanilla, and fruity sweetness combined in a unique way. The oak spices and mild smoke are balanced together alongside a slightly salty and heather-herbal tang.
Glenturret Triple Wood
45% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The Glenturret Triple Wood is a sweet, spicy yet soft whisky that builds on the distinctive fruity flavours of the new make spirit with ageing in American and European oak sherry seasoned casks alongside bourbon barrels. Notes of toffee apple, citrus and freshly cut oak alongside gentle wood spices, ginger and vanilla.
Bunnahabhain ‘Gordon & MacPhail’ Discovery 11YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Bottled from sherry casks from the Bunnahabhain distillery, this is not dominantly peaty at all – rich and sweet with sherry cask fruitcake notes, vanilla, and a touch of orange marmalade. Finishing with a rounded milk chocolate note in the finish and the faintest thread of smoke and salt.
Caol Ila ‘Gordon & MacPhail’ Discovery 13YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Part of independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘Discovery’ range, this 13-year-old Caol Ila from the west coast island of Islay falls under their ‘smoky’ profile. It has aromas of sweet vanilla and dry cured meat, while peat smoke undertones are complemented by banana and apricot. Ripe banana, kiwifruit and vibrant hints of fresh citrus lead to a long, sweet and smoky finish.
The GlenAllachie ‘Gordon & MacPhail’ Discovery 14YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This expression in Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘Discovery’ range comes entirely from American oak casks from the GlenAllachie distillery in Speyside. This wood profile is typified by creamy custard, fruity notes of apple and banana, and a flavour of blossom honey.
Glenrothes ‘Gordon & MacPhail’ Discovery 11YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Aromas of raisins and rich toffee lead to a palate of raspberries and blackberries mingled with hints of cinnamon and charred oak. It has a creamy mouthfeel with a lingering finish of butterscotch sauce, milk chocolate and a suggestion of orange.
Ledaig ‘Gordon & MacPhail’ Discovery 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
The peated whisky made at the Tobermory distillery is called Ledaig (pronounced ‘le-chig’) and this new whisky comes from the ‘smoky’ selection of the Discovery series by Gordon & MacPhail. There is a rich plume of peat smoke on the nose, becoming tinged with cured smoky meat. The palate is weighty with an oily sweetness; vanilla and stewed fruits followed by lime and a kick of peat smoke again, and chocolate in the finish.
Miltonduff ‘Gordon & MacPhail’ Discovery 10YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Dry sherry aromas mingle with stewed raisin and roasted hazelnut in this whisky, complemented by a fresh citrus edge. Creamy milk chocolate and orange zest flavours lead to spiced stewed fruits. The finish is fruity with lingering citrus.
Tomatin ‘Gordon & MacPhail’ Discovery 2009
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Filled from casks that were laid down at the Tomatin distillery in 2009, this new ‘Discovery’ release from Gordon & MacPhail sees the exclusive use of American oak ex-bourbon barrels to produce a sweet and smooth single malt. The nose is intense with honey, fragrant pear and a note of spring blossoms. The palate is fruity with melon and white peach, leading to vanilla custard and a herbal finish that builds softly with oak spice.
Isle of Raasay ‘Release R-02.1’
46.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Created from a marriage of peated and unpeated whisky, this new release from Raasay continues their use of six different cask types to create an old-fashioned west coast style. A flavour of dark red fruits leads the nose and palate, with honeyed overtones and a subtle, fragrant peat smoke throughout.
Kilchoman ‘Machir Bay’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This Islay whisky has a nose of fresh peat smoke with cooked stone fruit sweetness. On the palate there’s tangy peat smoke and a vanilla pudding sweetness that leads to a seaside, peppery smoke and a long peaty finish.
Kilchoman ‘Sanaig’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Sanaig is bottled predominantly from Oloroso sherry hogshead casks – evident in its rich colour and flavour. The aroma is classic Kilchoman, with soft, cooked fruits, fullbodied peat smoke with citrus notes, and a lingering sweetness.
Lochlea ‘Our Barley’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This is the first core single malt whisky from South Ayrshire distillery Lochlea. It has aromas of pear syrup, fruit bonbons, warm cut grass and marmalade, leading to a palate of golden syrup, pepper, rye bread, macadamia nuts and cream soda. A long finish with a lasting orange beeswax note.
Loch Lomond 12YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Loch Lomond’s 12-year-old single malt is created from a combination of casks (ex-American oak, refill and charred) bringing together toasty oak notes to complement the distillery’s fruity character of pear and orange. There is a layered sweetness of vanilla and just a hint of peat and smoke.
Loch Lomond ‘Smoke & Spice
Inchmoan’ 12YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Using a combination of peated whisky made in Loch Lomond’s unique combination of straightneck and swan-neck stills, this Highland Single Malt has a soft, fruity and sweet character woven with a gentle peatiness; a warming and mild smoke similar to that of an old fireplace or bonfire.
Meikle Toir ‘The Chinquapin One’ 5YO
48% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Meikle Toir (pronounced “mee-kuhl tor”) meaning “big pursuit” in Gaelic, is a range of brand new expressions of peated whisky made at the GlenAllachie distillery. This release sees virgin Chinquapin oak used as a final maturation cask, bringing together peat smoke and dense woody flavours. Smouldering peat embers and burnt liquorice tones meld with honey, ginger and orange peel, surrounding a creamy and nutty flavour.
Meikle Toir ‘The Original’
50% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A rare example of peated whisky made in the heart of Speyside, produced by the team at the GlenAllachie distillery. Taking peated barley, long-fermentation and select casks, this expression marries the sweet, fruity and honeyed heart of GlenAllachie with fragrant, warming smoke. Heather honey and rich chocolate flavours can be found alongside baking spices and toasted almonds, lingering on an enveloping rich, peaty smoke.
Meikle Toir ‘The Sherry One’ 5YO
48% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Made from heavily peated barley (35ppm), the Meikle Toir series from GlenAllachie introduces the distillery’s new expressions, marrying together peated spirit and selected and intriguing combinations of casks. Originally matured in ex-bourbon barrels, the whisky was given a final maturation in ex-Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. To taste, the wood delivers a treacle and chocolate flavour, giving way to fragrant cedarwood and richly smoked barley. There is a honeyed tone at the heart of each sip, with butterscotch, peat and mocha throughout.
Nc’Nean Organic Single Malt
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Nc’Nean distillery (pronounced “nook-nee-an”) is situated in one of the most isolated locations on the rugged west coast of Scotland.
Founded in 2017 by Annabel Thomas, this is one of the only certified organic whiskies made in the world. Matured in a combination of ex-American oak, ex-STR wine casks and a touch of ex-Oloroso sherry butts, there is an abundance of fruity tones like apricot, peach and a delicate citrus quality. A creamy, toasted brioche flavour joins in, giving way to a warming, spiced finish.
Old Pulteney ‘Huddart’
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Finished in ex-peated casks after an initial maturation in ex-bourbon barrels, this expression from Old Pulteney wafts fragrant mellow wood smoke with honey and oily leather, developing into crisp green apple, creamy vanilla and a hint of burnt toffee. Freshly ground spices and vanilla on the palate balance the subtle notes of smoke and peat fire. Rich salted caramel on the finish.
57.1% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Bottled from a selection of casks both young and old from an undisclosed distillery on Islay, the Port Askaig series personifies the Islay style: dense smoke, sea spray and a hint of lemon and liquorice. The peat smoke lingers on the palate with salted caramel, herbal notes and a slow drying finish.
57% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This higher strength expression of the Scarabus is full of the same sweet peat smoke as the standard release featured above, but with extra texture and body. Aromas of orchard fruit are joined by a developing peat smoke, while flavours of creamy toffee and vanilla balance the peppery spiciness. A rich finish of honeycomb and a lasting ashy smoke.
Tamdhu 12YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Tamdhu Distillery in the heart of Speyside produces a classic rich, old-fashioned, rounded style. The distillery fills exclusively ex-sherry casks for the Tamdhu single malt. This 12YO expression is full of dried fruit, sweet spiciness, and confectionery notes like old-fashioned boiled sweets.
Wolfburn ‘Langskip’
58% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
“Langskip” is a Norse word for “longship”. This is the first high-strength whisky from Wolfburn, offering aromatic notes of dried apple, raisins and dates and rich fruit cake. The palate has maple syrup, dark chocolate and fruit and nut mix. A fading vanilla-sweet finish.
Glenglassaugh Portsoy
49.1% ABV, 700ml RRP $131.99
Hancocks
Inspired by the harbour village of Portsoy near the Glenglassaugh distillery, this richly peated whisky has been aged in sherry, bourbon and port casks. Aromas of tropical fruit roll into sherried dark soy, liquorice and sea kelp. On the palate there is dark chocolate, fermented soy and charred mango with treacle and a crack of sea salt.
Glen Moray 15YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $132.99
Thirsty Camel
This whisky marries sherry and American oak to create a complex spirit with a hint of spice and delicate smoke over flavours of rich dried fruits and dark chocolate.
Benriach The Smoky Twelve
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $134.99
Hancocks
This whisky is crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit and three-cask matured for at least 12 years in bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and Marsala wine casks. A smooth, creamy single malt, layered with flavours of ripe fruit, smoky sweetness and warming oak spice.
The Glenlivet 15YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $134.99*
Pernod Ricard
A portion of this whisky is matured in French Limousin oak casks, used most commonly for ageing cognacs, giving it a rich and exotic character. A rich and creamy whisky with buttery notes on the nose and fruity, nutty flavours on the palate.
Woven Whisky Experience N.17
Synchronicity
46.1% ABV, 500ml RRP $139
Glengarry
Whisky from large, small, rural and urban distilleries went into this blend from Woven. Deep, complex and oozing balance, it was built around a juicy Rioja wine cask of unpeated whisky. The final blend is described as: “a dram that moves from maritime malt, harbour and a waxiness through a real subtle smoke that builds, underpinned by a marmalade sweetness on the sides of the mouth. The finish is long, with a herbal, lingering smokiness.”
The Macallan Double Cask 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $139
Hancocks
This whisky marries the classic Macallan style with the sweetness of American oak. It has aromas of creamy butterscotch with a hint of toffee apple, candied orange, vanilla custard and oak. Honey in the mouth with wood spices and citrus, balanced with raisins and caramel. Oak lingers on the finish.
Ardbeg An Oa
46.6% ABV, 700ml RRP $139.99
Moët Hennessy
Ardbeg An Oa combines whiskies from several cask types, including sweet Pedro Ximénez; spicy virgin charred oak; and intense ex-bourbon casks, amongst others. It has hallmark Ardbeg peat, with dark chocolate, aniseed, butterscotch, black pepper and clove, alongside briny notes and a creamy texture.
Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie
Scottish Barley
50% ABV, 700ml RRP $139.99
Hancocks
This expression from Bruichladdich showcases the classic Laddie style: elegant and floral with a signature salt-citrus tang.
The GlenDronach Port Wood
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $139.99
Hancocks
This whisky was inspired by the historical import of casked port into Scotland during the 1800s, with many of the finest port pipes travelling from Portugal to the wine cellars of Scotland’s gentry. The GlenDronach team has selected port pipes from Portugal’s famed Duoro Valley to house The GlenDronach for a second maturation period of three years, creating a fruit-filled ten-year-old expression, with layers of ripe berries rolling into its signature lingering finish.
Lagg Corriecravie Sherry Cask Finish
55% ABV, 700ml RRP $140
Tickety-Boo
This is the second of the core range single malts to be released from Lagg Distillery. The spirit for the Corriecravie edition is matured initially in bourbon barrels before being finished for approximately six months in Oloroso sherry hogsheads sourced directly from producer Miguel Martin in Jerez, Spain. The taste profile is slightly richer than Lagg’s Kilmory expression, bringing to the fore notes of sweeter spices and rich fruits.
Auchentoshan Three Wood
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $149.99
Suntory Global Spirits
Three different cask types (American bourbon, Spanish Oloroso sherry, and Pedro Ximénez sherry) give this whisky a rich, complex character with flavours of toffee, blackcurrant, brown sugar, orange, plum and raisin.
The Dalmore 12YO Sherry Cask
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $149.99
Hancocks
Aromas of caramelised orange, ginger and sultanas laced with honey open this whisky, leading to flavours of dark chocolate and crushed almonds with a dusting of cinnamon. Sweet mango, panna cotta and lemon sponge cake on the finish.
Glenfiddich 15YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $149.99
Federal Merchants
Aged in European oak sherry casks and new oak casks, this whisky is mellowed in Glenfiddich’s Solera Vat, a large oak tun inspired by the sherry bodegas of Spain and Portugal, which has been kept half full of whiskies since 1998. Aromas of heather honey, vanilla fudge and rich dark fruit lead to full-bodied flavours of sherry oak, marzipan, cinnamon, ginger and a lingering sweetness.
Glenfiddich Project XX
47% ABV, 700ml RRP $149.99
Federal Merchants
This single malt expression was created as a collaboration with 20 (hence the ‘XX’) whisky industry experts, adding layers of complexity to classic Glenfiddich whisky. The nose has classic fruitiness with hints of apple blossom, ripe pear, rich vanilla oak, golden sugar and a hint of liquorice. The taste is deep and mellow with a candy floss sweetness complemented by notes of toasted almond, cinnamon and a hint of crisp tannin. The long finish has a sweet oakiness.
Cooper’s Choice Loch Lomond
Highland Single Malt 2009
52% ABV, 700ml RRP $151.99
EuroVintage
Aged in American oak and finished in a Muscat cask, this limited release whisky has rich, fruity aromas with light smoke. On the palate it has a juicy sweetness with citrus, spice and more smoke. The finish is sweet and lengthy with spice and vanilla.
Bowmore 15YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $154.99
Suntory Global Spirits
This Scotch is matured first in bourbon barrels then spends its final three years in Oloroso sherry casks to create its deep colour and rich raisin character. Aromas of dark chocolate, raisin and smoke that persist on the palate along cedar wood and rich treacle toffee.
Tomatin 14YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $154.99
Premium Liquor Co.
The 14-year-old expression is soft, smooth and sweet thanks to time spent in tawny port casks that previously held port for around 50 years. Aromas of red berries, sweet honey and rich toffee develop into light fruits and nuts on the palate and a lingering finish of fruit salad.
Aberlour 14YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $155.99*
Pernod Ricard
An individual batch release featuring sherry and American oak cask ageing. It has aromas of vanilla and ripe cherry and a rounded palate of soft caramel, blackcurrant, blackberry jam and subtle spice.
Aberlour A’bunadh
59.9% ABV, 700ml RRP $155.99*
Pernod Ricard
“A’bunadh” means “the original” in Gaelic and this cask-strength whisky was made in homage to Aberlour’s founder, James Fleming. It’s a robust and deeply intense sherried whisky with rich and creamy complex flavours of fruit cake, dark bitter chocolate and spices.
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10YO
50% ABV, 700ml RRP $159
Hancocks
The flagship Port Charlotte release is a heavily peated Islay single malt. Matured in American whiskey and French wine casks, it has a barbecue smokiness and is rich and spicy with sweet malty notes.
The Balvenie DoubleWood 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $159.99
Federal Merchants
This whisky get its distinctive character from ageing in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads, and then in Spanish oak ex-Oloroso sherry casks before finishing in oak tuns. It has aromas of sweet fruit, Oloroso sherry, honey and vanilla. Smooth and mellow on the palate with nutty sweetness, cinnamon spice, a delicate layer of sherry and a long finish.
Kingsbarns Bell Rock Cask Strength
Single Malt
61.1% ABV, 700ml RRP $159.99
Glengarry
This cask strength limited release is a fusion of 30% ex-bourbon barrels and 70% ex-Oloroso sherry butts. The single malt is a fruity and spicy single cask whisky distilled using local Fife barley. Full of toffee and fruity character, Bell Rock is brimming with pecan pie notes and subtle baked fruits.
Laphroaig 10YO Cask Strength
56.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $159.99
Suntory Global Spirits
A bracing, full-bodied cask strength whisky with aromas of smoke, vanilla, pipe tobacco and leather. Toffee, fudge and cinnamon emerge on the palate; adding a couple drops of water draws out additional peat smoke and notes of sea salt.
The Macallan Sherry Cask 12YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $159.99
Hancocks
This release is part of the Sherry Oak range from The Macallan, which features a series of single malt whiskies matured in exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez. The 12YO expression delivers rich wood spice and dried fruits.
The GlenDronach Revival 15YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $164.99
Hancocks
A luxuriously sherried Highland single malt Scotch whisky with sumptuous notes of dark fruit, rich chocolate and mānuka honey with a lingering finish.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $167.99
Suntory Global Spirits
Double maturation in two American oak casks give this whisky an intense flavour. Stillmaturing whisky from Laphroaig’s standard ex-bourbon barrels is transferred to quarter casks, increasing contact with the oak and softening Laphroaig’s distinctive peatiness. It has aromas of toffee and caramel with a dryness from the wood oil. A long finish with sweetness and smoke.
Ardbeg Uigeadail
54.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $169.99
Moët Hennessy
‘Uigeadail’ is pronounced ‘Oog-a-dal’ and translates as ‘dark and mysterious’. It’s named for the Loch from which Ardbeg distillery draws the water for its whisky. Uigeadail is a special vatting that marries Ardbeg’s traditional deep, smoky notes with Christmas fruitcake tones of old ex-sherry casks. The lingering finish has deep mocha tones and rich aromatic smoke.
Woven Whisky Experience N.18 Awe
51.4% ABV, 500ml RRP $179
Glengarry
Just two distillates were used in this release from Woven, which has been bottled at near cask strength. The first was from a Glenrothes Distillery first fill Oloroso sherry butt with midteen year maturity. The second, a significantly older addition from Invergordon. The result is a blended whisky with complex layers of flavour, that transform further with the addition of a few drops of water.
Jura 18YO
44% ABV, 700ml RRP $179.99 Hancocks
Eighteen years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels is followed by finishing in premier Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux barrels to create a whisky full of rich black forest fruit, toffee, cocoa and coffee characters.
Arran Signature Series #1 – Remnant Renegade
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $180
Tickety-Boo
This is the first release in the new four-part Signature Series from Arran, designed to showcase the diversity of spirit from the Isle of Arran distillery. ‘Remnant Renegade’ is a marriage of a selection of remnant casks – ex-sherry hogsheads, ex-sherry butts and ex-bourbon barrels – from across the Arran portfolio. It has aromas of toffee apples, vanilla, cinnamon, orange blossom and star anise. Silky smooth and balanced on the palate with light liquorice, menthol herbs, and honey.
Highland Park 15YO
44% ABV, 700ml RRP $180
Hancocks
The heavily embossed ceramic bottle was inspired by the ancient earthenware vessels in which whisky was stored centuries ago. This 15-year-old single malt is rich with sweet spices and crème brûlée, balanced with a tropical zest.
Benriach The 16
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $189.99
Hancocks
Sixteen years of maturation shows a richly balanced evolution of Benriach’s signature Speyside style. Three cask maturation in bourbon, sherry and virgin oak brings layers of stone fruit, smooth creamy malt, wild honey and nutty oak spice.
The Glenlivet 18YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $189.99*
Pernod Ricard
This whisky was aged in first and second fill American oak and ex-sherry casks. It has aromas of rich fruit and toffee, with sweet citrus and winter spice on the palate.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $189.99
Moët Hennessy
A new release in New Zealand, this Tokyoinspired whisky combines bright, bold flavours with soft sweetness. In his first experiment with Japanese mizunara oak casks, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Dr Bill Lumsden, created a blend of Glenmorangie part-aged in mizunara oak with whisky aged in both sherry and bourbon casks. The resulting limited edition whisky fuses notes of pepper with bitter cherries and orange zest with incense and sweet oak.
The Whisky Cellar Series 4 Blair
Athol 7YO
54.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $194.40
Dhall & Nash
This whisky has a rich, sweet and fruity aroma with cinnamon and nutmeg spiciness, and a layer of raspberry and damson. On the palate there are notes of orange blossom, sweetened almonds, mānuka honey, yellow sultanas and creamy mocha. Robustly malty notes abound, with strawberry, milk chocolate, and a hint of new leather.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $194.99
Federal Merchants
Matured in traditional oak whisky casks for 14 years, this whisky is finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum. This gives it the traditional smooth, honeyed character of The Balvenie, married with notes of toffee and a hint of fruit, with a warm, lingering finish.
The Dalmore Port Wood
46.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $199.99
Hancocks
This release marries Dalmore’s weighty whisky with thick port cask fruit and spice. Matured first in American white oak bourbon casks, it is then finished in port pipes from WJ Graham.
Glenfiddich 18YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $199.99 Federal Merchants
Spanish Oloroso wood and American oak are used to mature this rich, fruity whisky. It has aromas of ripe orchard fruit, baked apple and robust oak, with dried fruit, candy peel and dates on the palate, overlaid with elegant oak.
Balblair 15YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Matured in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in rich Spanish sherry casks, the Balblair 15-year-old is distinctly spiced and fruity, with notes of prunes, tropical fruit and dark chocolate. Velvety in texture with spices and mellow vanilla, there is an edge of citrus and lemon peel.
Benromach 15YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This is the latest expression from Speyside’s smallest distillery and its oldest release since re-opening in 1998. It’s a rich and complex whisky with notes of creamy vanilla custard, fruitcake and honey, with touches of cocoa, warming spice and a thread of smoke that lingers in the finish.
Glen Scotia 15YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This release from Glen Scotia is fully matured in specially selected American oak barrels in their Campbeltown warehouses for 15 years before bottling. Its delicate apricot and vanilla aromas develop towards a zesty fruit salad and subtle coastal note. On the palate there are hints of ginger and spice, complemented by rich vanilla and fruit notes.
Glen Scotia ‘Victoriana’
54.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A fruity whisky with citrus hints and plenty of woody spice. Finishing in charred oak casks gives it a rich caramel vanilla and cocoa characteristic.
The GlenAllachie 15YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This whisky has a deeply fruity and spicy aroma that carries on to the palate, developing into a lighter note of orange and banana, then fading to bittersweet dark chocolate.
Glenfarclas 17YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This expression from Glenfarclas has developed a soft and refined flavour of sherry-cask oak (dried dark fruits, soft spices) and increased depth and complexity of flavour. Hints of butterscotch and jaffa-cake also come through, with a touch of peat smoke.
Tamdhu 15YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Matured exclusively in ex-sherry casks for 15 years, this expression from Tamdhu has a rich and full flavour with notes of apple pastries, spiced currants and orange zest sitting alongside crème caramel and dried fruit. The palate is nutty and malty with creamy vanilla and more woody fruit and spice.
Tamdhu Batch Strength Batch No.6
56.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Fully matured in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, this release from Tamdhu has fresh and aromatic spices from the oak on the nose, with roasted nuts and creamy vanilla. To taste, the palate is dense with rich fruit (sultana loaf, Christmas mix) and berries, with orange and lemon developing. The texture is full and decadent, leaving behind a trail of fig, date and more spices.
RRP $200 - $299.99
The Dalmore 15YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $219.99
Hancocks
The team at The Dalmore describe this whisky as “the epitome of our house style”. Aged for 15 years, it’s finished in different styles of sherry casks including Apostoles, Amoroso and Matusalem Oloroso. It has complex flavours of mandarin, vanilla, ginger and crushed apples with caramelised orange and dark chocolate on the finish.
Glenmorangie 18YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $219.99
Moët Hennessy
This is part of Glenmorangie’s Prestige Expressions range. The 18YO spends 15 years maturing in American white oak casks and then approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years before the two are blended together. A rich, rounded aroma leads to balanced flavours of honey, malt and florals with hints of dates, figs and wood smoke. The long finish has dried fruit sweetness and subtle dryness of Oloroso nuttiness.
Tomatin 18YO
46% ABV, RRP $219.99
Premium Liquor Co.
Matured in traditional oak casks and first fill Oloroso sherry butts, there are honey and soft oak flavours that develop into a hint of dark chocolate with a citrus bite before a sustained sweet and slightly dry finish.
Laphroaig Lore
48% ABV, 700ml RRP $234.99
Suntory Global Spirits
This Scotch is named for the “lore”, or traditions and knowledge held by generations of distillers and blenders at Laphroaig and is described as the richest expression of the distillery’s famed peated whisky. It’s a complex blend of small-batch Scotch whisky matured in five cask types, aged between 7-21 years. Rich and smoky, with notes of ash, bitter chocolate and ocean air and a long, sweet finish with a hint of spice.
Glen Moray 18YO
47.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $236.99
Thirsty Camel
Aromas of toasted oak with toffee and caramelised autumn fruits. Baked spiced apple and vanilla smoked raisins emerge on the palate. Rich and smooth with an elegant finish.
Deanston 15YO Tequila Cask Finish
Single Malt
52.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $238.99
EuroVintage
An experimental, limited-edition release, this whisky was finished in hand-selected casks that once held agave. It has aromas ripe pineapple, crème brûlée, mixed nuts and light oak. It’s rich, yet dry on the palate with flavours of caramelised agave, toasted almonds, baked apples with custard and warming spice. A long finish with brown spice and sweet citrus bursts.
Glen Grant 18YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP
$239.99
Thirsty Camel
A rich and floral aroma with oaky overtones and hints of baking spices. In the mouth there is malty caramel, delicate dried raisins and vanilla leading to a long, sweet finish with hints of nuts and spice.
The Macallan Classic Cut 2022
52.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $249.99
Hancocks
The Macallan Classic Cut is a series of higher strength single malts designed to deliver a different flavour experience each year. Matured in a unique combination of casks with two distinctive wood types, this release exudes flavours of both European and American oak, married together. A fresh fruit medley on the nose with light spice and almonds leads to a palate of grapefruit, caramel, a wisp of chocolate, lemon sponge, nuts, oak and light spice. The finish is sweet and creamy with warming spice.
Arran 17YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $250
Tickety-Boo
A one-off limited-edition release, there are just 12,000 bottles worldwide of the Arran 17YO. It has been matured in an even mix of firstand second-fill sherry hogsheads, and first-fill bourbon barrels. It has notes of green apple and orchard fruits, followed on the palate by butterscotch and a hint of toasted oak. A soft, lingering finish with almond and creamy vanilla and a touch of cinnamon.
Highland Park 18YO Viking Pride
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $260
Hancocks
This whisky is matured in a high proportion of first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks. It has flavours of ripe cherries, bittersweet cocoa, honeycomb and candied orange peel with a touch of sea spray and aromatic peat smoke.
The Whisky Cellar Series 4 Ben Nevis 10YO
56.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $261.77
Dhall & Nash
Ben Nevis is considered a very traditional distillery, producing a thick, chewy style of whisky. This 10YO expression was finished in a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask to bring bold, rich, spicy-sweet notes. The result is a whisky packed with complex character – glazed cured ham, cloves, orange peel, dark chocolate and raisins.
The Whisky Cellar Series 5 Glentauchers 14YO
53.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $264.07
Dhall & Nash
Glentauchers is famed for producing one of the lighter Speyside distillates with delicate citrusfloral notes and a subtle sweetness. Finishing in a first fill ex-bourbon barrel showcases this style, with revved up sweet notes.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $279.99
Lion
This is the pinnacle of the Johnnie Walker Colour range. Its initial flavours include hazelnut, honey, sherry and orange, followed by ginger, sandalwood and dark chocolate. The rich honey sweetness is accompanied by hints of pepper and dried fruit, before a long, lingering finish of soft smoke.
The Macallan 15YO Double Cask
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $279.99
Hancocks
A balanced single malt whisky created by combining two oaks: sherry-seasoned American oak adds delicate vanilla to the subtle spice of European oak, delivering a whisky with a sweeter, warmer taste and character.
The Whisky Cellar Series 5
Longmorn 11YO
56.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $297.89
Dhall & Nash
The sweet and weighty Speyside spirit of Longmorn has been elevated through 18 months secondary maturation in an ex-Sauternes wine barrique, adding softer, fruitier notes, and then heavier dark fruits from a further six months in an ex-Oloroso sherry cask.
Benromach 21YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Part of Benromach’s core range, this whisky delivers sweet sherry aromas with notes of citrus and ginger and the signature hint of smoke. Sweet to taste, with spicy notes of cracked black pepper leading to Seville oranges, raspberry and baked apples, finishing with a soft smokiness.
Glenfarclas 25YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This whisky has hints of sherry, honey, and dark roasted coffee beans along with a distinct oaky spice and nuttiness. The finish is long-lasting with a gentle touch of peat smoke in the background.
Glengoyne 18YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A full-bodied, rounded and rich whisky with aromas of red apple and ripe melon, that drift into hot porridge topped with brown sugar. On the palate, macerated fruits, marzipan and walnuts lead into warm spices, dry cocoa and lingering Seville marmalade.
Glengoyne ‘Cask Strength’
Batch #0008
59.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
A big, bold whisky aged in a combination of first-fill sherry casks, refill casks and some first-fill bourbon casks. It has aromas apple pie, vanilla, nutmeg and white chocolate. At almost 60% it has a thick mouthfeel that coats the palate with buttery flavours of toffee popcorn, sweet banana and soft oak. A lasting finish of summer fruits and malt biscuits.
The Hearach
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
This is the first-ever whisky from the Isle of Harris Distillery. The aroma evokes a curing smokehouse, joined by fragrant hillside heather and smoky dried prunes. A creamy sweetness joins crisp apple tones, with a lingering sea-salt tang. Subtle smoke returns in the finish.
Loch Lomond 21YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA
Whisky Galore
Loch Lomond’s 21YO offers a malty, fruity and lightly smoky Highland style, chosen from a mixture of casks married together for a final maturation. A great all-rounder whisky, with sweet fudge, fruits and cinnamon spice, fading away to oak and mild peat smoke in the finish.
The Whisky Cellar Series 5
Bunnahabhain ‘Moine’ 10YO
55.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $314.58
Dhall & Nash
Bunnahabhain is famed more for its subtle smoke and sherry cask maturation but this is a rare opportunity to taste the distillate in its robust, heavily peated style.
The Whisky Cellar Series 3
Aultmore 9YO
57.1% ABV, 700ml RRP $330.51
Dhall & Nash
Full maturation term in a first-fill European oak sherry butt has packed this whisky with nutty, sweet spice flavour.
The Macallan Harmony Collection
Amber Meadow
44.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $349.99
Hancocks
This is the third release in The Macallan Harmony Collection – a limited series using innovative packaging created with organic by-products. Amber Meadow was created in collaboration with sisters Stella and Mary McCartney, drawing on their memories of time spent at their family farm in Scotland. Discarded meadow cuttings have been used in the packaging, which features photography by Mary McCartney. The whisky was made using a combination of both sherry seasoned oak and bourbon casks. It has rich citrus aromas, alongside honeysuckle, vanilla, coconut and ripe barley fields. On the palate there is rich oak, lemon, melon, classic scone, almond and green tea.
The Whisky Cellar Series 3 Ruadh
Maor Peated Glenturret 11YO
55.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $366.07
Dhall & Nash
Glenturret Distillery is the oldest working distillery in Scotland (established in 1775) and began producing a peated variant for blending around 15 years ago. Peated malt is at the fore in this whisky full of smokehouse aromas.
The GlenDronach 21YO Parliament 48% ABV, 700ml RRP $413.99
Hancocks
Matured in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for a minimum of 21 years, the ‘Parliament’ is named after the colony, or ‘parliament’, of rooks that have been nesting in the trees that overlook the GlenDronach distillery for almost 200 years. A richly complex whisky with aromas of ripe autumn fruits and flavours of fine Oloroso sherry, bitter chocolate and plum pudding with notes of cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Fullbodied with smooth tannins.
The Whisky Cellar Series 4
Bruichladdich 10YO
58.9% ABV, 700ml RRP $431.20
Dhall & Nash
Distilled in the ‘Rhinns’ heavily peated style (around 30 ppm), this is a rare independent bottling of one of Islay’s most sought after whiskies, fully matured in a sweet French wine cask for 10 years. It offers a balance of warm, earthy peat smoke, smoked herbs, vanilla and sweet ripened tropical fruits.
Glenfiddich 21YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $449
Federal Merchants
A traditional Speyside whisky matured for 21 years on-site at the Glenfiddich distillery and then finished in Caribbean rum casks, selected by Malt Master Brian Kinsman. These casks add notes of ginger, fig, lime, banana and a vibrant spicy toffee warmth to the signature Glenfiddich style.
The Whisky Cellar Series 4 Cambus
Single Grain 33YO
42.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $528.39
Dhall & Nash
This complex and distinctive whisky is described as having aromas of wood polish, lemon-flavoured chewy caramel, coconut, damp wood, and white and yellow fruits. The palate is initially sweet with soft lemony notes, banana foam sweets, sponge cake with mango coulis, beeswax, vanilla and honey among others.
Ardbeg 19YO
46.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $549.99
Moët Hennessy
Matured in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks, this 19-year-old expression from Ardbeg has aromas of wood smoke, sea-spray and pine resin, with aniseed toffee, citrus zest and a touch of cayenne pepper. Rich on the palate with classic sweet smokiness, tarry rope, treacle toffee and aniseed. Hints of smoke continue with smoked brown sugar, sugarcoated walnuts and gentle spices. The long finish has bitter almonds, linseed oil, clove, pepper and soot.
Benriach The Twenty-Five
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $599.99
Hancocks
A richly sumptuous single malt made from unpeated and peated spirit and four caskmatured for at least 25 years in sherry casks, bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks and Madeira Island wine casks. It has layers of baked fruit, honey malt and toasted oak spice with a long, rich, caramelised smoke finish.
The Macallan 18YO Double Cask
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $599.99
Hancocks
Matured for 18 years in both American and European sherry seasoned oak casks, this expression of The Macallan features delicate vanilla and subtle spice in a whisky with a sweeter, warmer taste and character.
Arran 25YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $630
Tickety-Boo
This is the oldest core range statement from Arran Distillery and has been matured in ex-sherry and bourbon casks. It has aromas of rich oak, nutmeg, baked figs, sultanas and black cherries. On the palate there is fruit cake with toasted almonds and cinnamon, zesty orange and mandarin, a honeyed sweetness and a white pepper note. The finish is creamy and spicy with dark chocolate, walnuts and dark fruit.
The Balvenie PortWood 21YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $639
Federal Merchants
First released in 1996, this award-winning whisky is considered one of the finest creations by The Balvenie Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE. It is a combination of rare Balvenie transferred to port casks, which have held fine port wines. The perfumed aroma of fruity and ripe raisin notes is backed by a nutty dryness. The refined palate is creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes leading to a long, gentle finish.
Glenfiddich Grand Cru 23YO
40% ABV, 700ml RRP $679.99
Federal Merchants
This rich and intense whisky is matured for 23 years in American and European oak and finished in French cuvée casks. Aromas of apple blossom, freshly baked bread and candied lemon lead to layered flavours of rich vanilla oak, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape. The finish is long, opulent and sweet.
Benriach The Thirty
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $1,109.99
Hancocks
This special single malt has been crafted from peated spirit and four cask-matured for at least 30 years in sherry casks, bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks and port casks from the Douro Valley. It has layers of dark fruits, rich walnut and velvety oak spice with a long, complex, smoked honey finish.
Glenfiddich Grande Couronne 26YO
43% ABV, 700ml RRP $1,349.99
Federal Merchants
Described as “the epitome of opulence” this 26-year-old release from Glenfiddich undergoes an extended finish in rare French cognac casks. Aromas of buttery French pastries lead to lavishly layered flavours of café crème with soft brown sugar and a hint of spice. The finish is long, sweet and rich.
Ardbeg 25YO
46% ABV, 700ml RRP $1,999.99
Moët Hennessy
This is the oldest whisky in Ardbeg’s core range. Aromas of smoked cream and earthy bonfires join layers of pine and fragrant candle wax. In the mouth there is hot pepper, lemon sherbet sweetness, and hints of tar flowing into a long finish with delicate aniseed, cream and fudge.
Sarah Miller
Freelance spirits writer, judge & consultant ginadingding.com
Far from standing still, the world of Scotch is undergoing something of a transformation, as Sarah Miller explains…
WITH OVER 500 years of history steeped in tradition, and strict regulations on how it can be produced, it would be easy to assume that Scotch is standing still while the world moves on around it. But there are progressive distilleries and forward-thinking campaigners who are working tirelessly to modernise both the production and the image of this Scottish icon.
Some analysts have predicted a whisky slowdown amid declining exports, as well as concerns that too many brands are still engaging only with one narrow demographic (usually older, wealthy, white men). This year, however, has already seen several new distilleries open or start production, including Port of Leith, the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery, and the reopening of two “ghost” distilleries – a term given to a distillery that has ceased production but still has stock available – at Rosebank and Port Ellen.
In the current climate, Port Ellen’s story is particularly instructive, given that its closure occurred during the 1980s oversupply of Scotch known as the “Whisky Loch”. Now, with owner Diageo having recreated the Islay distillery using original blueprints, they have all the more reason to ensure that history doesn’t repeat, by pushing the boundaries of Scotch through innovation and experimentation.
Key to this is Port Ellen’s signature ten-part spirit safe that allows the team to take multiple cuts from the heart run, enabling them to not only accurately recreate the classic Port Ellen spirit style, but also offering them unprecedented opportunity for experimentation. In line
with Diageo’s sustainability commitments, Port Ellen was designed to be carbon neutral from day one, with all energy produced by a renewable-biofuel boiler and technology installed to recycle heat and water.
Diageo is far from the first to tackle the challenges of decarbonising the Scotch whisky industry, however. Annabel Thomas was determined to do things differently back in 2009 when she first explored the idea of building a distillery on her family farm in Morvern in the Scottish Highlands, and is now the proud founder of Nc’nean: a B-Corp certified, 100% organic Scotch distillery powered
Despite
industry. Another is Kirsty Black, Master Distiller at Angus’ field-to-bottle Arbikie Estate, which is set to switch over to zero-carbon green hydrogen power in the coming months, making them the first distillery in the world to do so.
The OurWhisky Foundation was established in 2022, after drinks journalist Becky Paskin set out to challenge whisky’s outdated, gendered image, and empower women working in the industry. In addition to its global six-month mentorship scheme, the Foundation has also launched the Modern Face of Whisky library, an evolving bank of free-to-use, unbranded stock photography that
women accounting for 36% of all whisky drinkers in the UK and USA, most stock imagery still reinforces the spirit’s masculine image.
by renewable energy, and the first whisky distillery in the UK to be verified as net zero back in 2021.
Annabel is also equally determined to make Scotch more inclusive, which ought to be a business imperative precisely because it makes the spirit more welcoming to new customers: she has herself been confronted with the question “Do you actually like whisky?”
As well as running her own internship, which gives women the chance to experience all aspects of a working distillery, Annabel is one of over 100 mentors for OurWhisky Foundation – the world’s first non-profit to recognise and support women in the global whisky
depicts diverse groups of women enjoying a variety of whisky serves.
Despite women accounting for 36% of all whisky drinkers in the UK and USA, most stock imagery still reinforces the spirit’s masculine image, directly affecting the number of women who choose to drink – and make – whisky, and how those who do are perceived and treated.
There is, of course, plenty of Scotch sitting around in casks waiting to come of age as the world continues to revolve, but if the industry is to avoid another whisky loch then it’s essential that it follows the lead of these pioneers, and continues to evolve to make whisky more sustainable, more accessible and more equitable.
NEW ZEALAND’S very first dedicated bar convention is coming to Auckland in August with NZ Bar Con(vention).
Organisers Sarah Dawn-Mitchell and Andrea Marseglia of Teresa Bar in Napier say the event is about empowering the bar and hospitality industry by providing
an opportunity for gathering, inspiring, and expanding knowledge in the craft.
To be held from August 4-6, NZ Bar Con will feature seminars, tastings, events and takeovers.
Sarah and Andrea say that suppliers will play a key role in the event too, with a Supplier Symposium presenting a chance for businesses and brands to showcase their products directly to bar/venue managers, owners, and decision-makers in hospitality businesses.
The programme schedule will be available online as events are confirmed.
NEW ZEALAND distillers have scored a golden haul at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Awards.
Single malt whisky producer Pōkeno won two Double Gold medals and a Gold, while The National Distillery Co. won Gold medals for its gin and vodka, and Vicar’s Son Gin won Gold.
Pōkeno was the only New Zealand distillery to win Double Gold in the 2024 event. Double Golds are only given to spirits that unanimously receive Gold medals from all judges in the blind tasting, and were awarded to the Triple Distilled and Winter Malt expressions from Pōkeno’s special edition Exploration Series.
The third expression of this series, the Totara Cask, which is the first single malt whisky ever to be matured in a Totara wood barrel, received a Silver medal
and two of Pōkeno’s signature single malts, Origin and Discovery, were also recognised with Gold and Silver medals respectively.
Pōkeno founder Matt Johns says the recognition not only places the whiskies among the world’s elite, but also endorses the distillery’s “discover different” philosophy that drives them to experiment and push boundaries.
The National Distillery Company from Napier won three Gold medals for its New Zealand Dry Gin, New Zealand Navy Strength Gin, and New Zealand Aquifer Plateau Vodka, while Auckland’s Vicar’s Son Gin won Gold for its Saint George Gin. Vicar’s Son Gin is believed to be the smallest grain to glass distillery in the world.
See full results at thetastingalliance.com
LOCAL ORGANICALLY-GROWN lemons are at the heart of Il Antipodi – a new limoncello from Pacific Coast in Mangawhai that is their take on the traditional Italian digestif. The lemons were hand-zested, removing the pith, before being infused into a pure double distilled spirit base. The resulting citrus liqueur is tart and refreshing with just a touch of sweetness. Serve neat and chilled, or use as a base for zesty cocktails.
Pacific Coast
CLARITY DISTILLING Company has won Gold and the title of Best in Show by Country at the 2024 London Spirits Competition.
The Tauranga distillery secured the awards for its Clarity 2023 Gin, which received a final score of 94 out of 100. The judging process at the London Spirits Competition goes beyond blind tasting, also evaluating factors such as label design, packaging, and storytelling effectiveness.
Clarity 2023 Gin has previously won a Trophy at the NZ Spirits Awards 2023, and Gold at the Australian Gin Awards 2023.
Clarity Distilling Co.
SCAPEGRACE DISTILLING Co. has launched a national competition to find New Zealand’s best cocktail maker.
The Scapegrace: Uncharted Spirits cocktail competition challenges bartenders to make a cocktail that showcases a unique characteristic of New Zealand’s terroir.
Entries are open until June 30. Regional finals will be held in August to select four national finalists who will each receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Central Otago for the National Final at Scapegrace’s new Central Otago distillery in October.
The overall winner will receive $1,000 and a trip to Central Otago to judge the competition in 2025.
Entrants’ cocktails must contain at least 40ml of a Scapegrace product (Scapegrace Classic, Black, Blood Moon, Gold, Vodka or any Scapegrace Single Malt Whisky) and at least one championed ingredient, which represents an allocated region.
Participants in Auckland must use
a component highlighting the South Island’s West Coast or Fiordland.
Wellington entrants have been allocated Nelson Tasman, while Christchurch competitors will work with flavours from the Central Plateau. Queenstown entrants are looking to the Far North for inspiration for their drink.
Scapegrace Product Development & Advocacy Manager Mikey Ball says they were inspired to create the competition as they explored the local flavours of Central Otago, where the brand is building New Zealand’s largest-ever distillery.
“The idea of supplying a specific area is to guide people into learning and researching an area of New Zealand they may not have a huge amount of knowledge about,” said Ball. “This will hopefully be uncharted territory for each entrant, and they’ll find some new ingredients and cultures to play with.”
Details at scapegracedistillery. com/pages/uncharted-spirits
FOR OVER two decades, a hidden gem in Scotland’s rugged north east lay silent. In 2008, Glenglassaugh Distillery was awakened from its slumber and now the iconic Highland coastal spirit has witnessed a reawakening; presenting a new portfolio and design direction.
The release of a flagship 12 Year Old Single Malt, which embodies Glenglassaugh’s signature coastal style, heralds this turning point.
The overall artistic direction has also evolved, taking inspiration from rippling sand tide at Sandend Bay, with touches of colour inspired by sea glass.
Shaped by the influences of land and sea, the reimagined portfolio and design encapsulate the ethos of the lush, vibrant coastal spirit.
As with all Glenglassaugh single malts, the new whisky has been gently matured in the distillery’s coastal warehouses overlooking the rolling surf of Sandend Bay.
Coastal inspiration
“The new portfolio brings together all the key elements of Glenglassaugh’s spirit,” says Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Glenglassaugh Distillery.
“To taste Glenglassaugh Single Malt is to experience the coastal influence of Sandend Bay and the ancient harbour
towns nearby. Shaped by the coalescence of land and sea, the senses are awakened by the imposing yet calming crash of waves and the sweet smell of gorse in the air.”
Two other new whiskies, Sandend and Portsoy, respectively express the luscious and deep coastal elements of Glenglassaugh.
Sandend, inspired by the crescent beach of Sandend Bay, is matured in
bourbon, sherry and manzanilla casks bringing luscious waves of tropical sweetness with a touch of sea-salt.
Portsoy, taking its name from the neighbouring harbour village, reflects the bold and deeply maritime flavour of this richly peated single malt, matured in sherry, bourbon and port casks.
Glenglassaugh is distributed by Hancocks – 0800 699 463.
Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Glenglassaugh Distillery
THE QUINTESSENTIALLY Kiwi taste of feijoa is the star of Feijoa Tree –a new spirit made from the iconic autumnal fruit.
Unlike gin or vodka, which use base ingredients such as grain, potato or whey, Feijoa Tree is made from 100% fruit. Its makers say the fruit spirit has a distinct pure character and flavour profile.
Each batch of Feijoa Tree is distilled from a mash of naturally fermented organically grown, spray-free feijoa fruit
using specialised Hungarian distillation technology imported to New Zealand.
“Feijoa Tree represents the fusion of time-tested traditions, Kiwi innovation and delicious fruit, that has created a new expression of the feijoa experience,” says Richard McIntosh, owner of Feijoa Tree.
Feijoa Tree is 49% ABV and can be served over ice, with soda water, or in complex cocktails.
Feijoa Tree
NEW FROM Hastings Distillers, The Count is a ready-to-serve Negroni designed to complete any home cocktail cabinet. Made with Biogro certified organic botanicals it combines Hastings Distillers’ own East Block 200 Gin, L’Opera bitter orange and Rubis Vermouth for a blend of aromatic gin, fragrant Seville and Navel oranges, dark fruits, dried herbs and warm spice. The palate is smooth and round with a pleasant, lingering bitterness. The Count (700ml) RRP $75.
Hastings Distillers
THE COLLABORATION between innovative UK whisky blenders Woven and New Zealand distillery Thomson is now available through Glengarry. Woven Hemispheres (50.4% ABV) blends Thomson’s Mānuka Smoked Single Malt with whisky from Edinburgh’s North British Distillery. Woven Hemispheres is described as: “An oily, smoky and herbal whisky with notes of orange, clove and honey that celebrate the ever-expanding horizons of flavour.”
Glengarry
THE CREATORS of Australian gin Papa Salt are celebrating a Gold medal win at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – just over a year after launching.
Papa Salt was one of more than 450 gins entered into this year’s event, which is the largest spirits competition in the world and regarded as the most influential.
The Australian coastal gin was created by five friends who met through their work in the film industry: Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Charlie Maas and Regan Riskas. Papa Salt launched in Australia in May 2023, and arrived in New Zealand in September 2023. “The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the most prestigious taste tests in the world. To earn a gold there is a credit to our entire team, the five years we spent developing Papa Salt, and of course our amazing Australian botanicals,” says Charlie Maas, Papa Salt’s CEO and co-founder.
Tickety-Boo
8 Wired 09 553 2181 8wired.co.nz
Asahi Beverages NZ 09 298 3000 asahibeverages.co.nz
Astrolabe 03 577 6794 astrolabewines.co.nz
Bach Brewing 09 390 0149 bachbrewing.co.nz
Beverage Bureau 027 699 9151 nick@beveragebureau.co.nz
Big Sky Wines 027 424 8974 bigskywines.co.nz
Brandhouse 0508 468 688 brandhouse.co.nz
Clarity Distilling Co. 021 0405 235 claritydc.co.nz
Clearview Estate 06 875 0150 clearviewestate.co.nz
Čuvar Winery 027 678 9044 cuvarwinery.com
DB Breweries 0800 746 432 db.co.nz
Dhall & Nash 0800 369 463 dnfinewine.co.nz
Emerson’s 03 477 1812 emersons.co.nz
Emporium Brewing 03 319 5897 emporiumbrewing.co.nz
EuroVintage 0800 388 766 eurovintage.co.nz
Federal Merchants 0800 846 824 federalmerchants.co.nz
Feijoa Tree info@feijoatree.co.nz feijoatree.co.nz
Fistonich Family Vineyards 027 678 9044 cuvarwinery.com
Folding Hill 021 182 2986 foldinghill.co.nz
Forager Wine dom@foragerwine.co.nz foragerwine.co.nz
Forrest Wines 03 572 9084 forrest.co.nz
Glengarry 0800 733 505 glengarry.co.nz
Good George freshbrew@goodgeorge. co.nz goodgeorge.kiwi.nz
Great Little Vineyards 09 529 0935 greatlittlevineyards.com
Grog hello@grog.shop grog.shop/stock
Hancocks 0800 699 463 hancocks.co.nz
Hastings Distillers 06 870 3991 hastingsdistillers.com
Hop Federation brews@hopfederation.co.nz hopfederation.co.nz
Huntress huntress@huntress.co.nz huntresswines.co.nz
Kahurangi Estate 03 543 2980 orders@kahurangiwine.com
Lion 0800 107 272 lionco.com
Marisco 09 522 9684 marisco.co.nz
Matahiwi Estate 06 370 1000 matahiwi.co.nz
McLeod’s Brewery geoff@mcleodsbrewery. co.nz mcleodsbrewery.co.nz
Mineral orders@mineralwine.co.nz mineral.co.nz
Moët Hennessy 0800 226 650 moethennessy.com
Negociants 0800 634 624 negociantsnz.com
Pacific Coast Beverages 021 0393 155 pacificcoastbeverages.co.nz
Parrotdog 04 384 8077 parrotdog.co.nz
Pernod Ricard 0800 655 550 pernod-ricard-nz.com
Planet Wine 021 888 295 planetwine.co.nz
Porters porterspinot@xtra.co.nz porterspinot.co.nz
The Premium Liquor Co. 09 975 7432 premiumliquor.co.nz
Q Liquid 09 636 7730 qll.co.nz
Red + White Cellar 09 376 0760 redwhitecellar.co.nz
Red Bull NZ customerservice.nz@redbull. com redbull.com
Sanz Global 09 414 7773 sanzglobal.co.nz
Sawmill Brewery 09 422 6555 sawmillbrewery.co.nz
Sprig + Fern 03 544 8675 sprigandfern.co.nz
Stone Pony orders@stoneponywines. co.nz stoneponywines.co.nz
Sunshine Brewing office@sunshinebrewery. co.nz sunshinebrewing.co.nz
Suntory Global Spirits 0800 69 23 37 beamsuntory.com
Super Liquor support@superliquor.co.nz superliquor.co.nz
Thirsty Camel customerservice@ thirstycamel.co.nz thirstycamel.co.nz
Tickety-Boo Liquor 09 377 7597 tickety-boo.co.nz
Torlesse Wines 03 314 6929 torlesse.co.nz
Villa Maria 0800 505 656 villamariawines.com
Vintners 0800 687 9463 vintners.co.nz
Whisky Galore 0508 WHISKY trade.whiskygalore.co.nz
Whisky & More 029 773 0394 whiskyandmore.co.nz
Whitehaven 021 738 315 whitehaven.co.nz
Wine Diamonds 021 0228 4206 winediamondstrade.co.nz
World@BWS sales@worldbws.co.nz worldbws.co.nz
trade.whiskygalore.co.nz
