The New Zealand Whiskey Collection 33-year-old (D.1988) / 58.8% / 0.5l

The whisky from The New Zealand Whisky Collection is a remnant of the Dunedin-based Willowbank Distillery, which ceased production in 1997 and its warehouse stocks were purchased a few years later by The New Zealand Whisky Company.

In 2010, the newly formed New Zealand Whisky Collection took over the last 443 barrels of whisky (including 200 single grains) and transported them to a warehouse in Oamaru on the South Island. The whisky on display here, distilled in 1988, was aged in a No. 62 bourbon barrel and bottled after 33 years at cask strength (58.8% abv) and without chill filtration. This single barrel edition was released in 2021 and consisted of 224 half-litre bottles.

Nose : delicate yet complex, acacia honey, vanilla pudding, sugared peanuts, candied lemon peel, peaches, cloves, a pinch of salt and light oak and herbal notes.

Palate: rich, slightly waxy and mineral, vanilla, honey, apples, pears, quince jam, grapefruit, anise, candied ginger, a pinch of white pepper and toasted oak.

Finish : long, with notes of honeyed cereal, vanilla, toffee, licorice, sea salt, a touch of mint and oak.