Good NZ Whisky

Sure, ask him to get his hands on the the Cardrona Single Malt Whisky "Just Hatched" Cask Strength. 3 years of age, ex-sherry & ex-bourbon and 64.4% ABV

I'll chip in since I'm the resident Kiwi on here Honestly, I've not had any high proof NZ whisky. However, I think what @Frost suggested is a great idea. This is a new distillery hence the name "Just Hatched". The other I would suggest is "The Oamaruvian". You will find all the details here thenzwhisky.com/project/the-oamaruvian/ And you can order some here whiskyandmore.co.nz/collections/… It was the Sydney Whisky Show Exclusive Bottling a week ago (yes a NZ whisky as the exclusive bottling at an Aussie whisky show ) www.thewhiskyshow.net/sydney Please ask if your friend needs any help locating bottles - I have access to some networks online. Good luck with your search!

If you want something different grab some minis of the Thomson Whiskies. They've been experimenting with using manuka to smoke grain in place of peat (manuka is used here for smoked foods), they've used NZ sourced peat, NZ rye etc. I quite like the two tone but it's only 40% ABV.

@Hewie I tried the Oamaruvian at the Sydney show last weekend, you are right, also one worth taking to Canada.

I've never tried Thomson whisky, will look that one up.

Some of the older(21yo+) new Whisky company bottlings are quality. I'm from NZ but tried one at Diggers(Athletic Arms) in Edinburgh. One of the best drams we had that day amongst 14 Scottish drams and a few American.

Mistake in the last post, it was Willowbank

@Tom92 apologies - I momentarily forgot that I'm not the only Kiwi on here. I remember beck when I was a not yet 20 year old (back when the legal drinking age was 20 and not the current 18) I bought a couple of bottles of Wilsons blended whisky. I think it was ok (compared to other blended Scotch whisky) but I didn't have much of an idea. I've not had the chance to try any of their older offerings. It's great to see some new NZ whisky ventures doing OK now too.

@Hewie nae worries at all. The touch pause engage releases from New Zealand Whisky Company are decent to, I bought my brother the 1987 bottling, birth year and first RWC. I've had the 1992, birth year, and enjoyed it too.

@Nozinan we haven't heard back from you. I was wondering if you thought any of those options were worthwhile for you. When does your friend come out to visit? If not some NZ whisky then maybe a couple of good bottles of NZ Pinot Noir (from Otago) might be a good alternative

Sorry,

I've been pre-occupied. I threw out my back last week (just before the colonoscopy review) and I've been reading these posts but , obviously, not drinking and my threshold for writing has been down.

I don't know when my friend will be in town and a=haven't checked the media I usually use to keep in touch with him. I will see if I can convince him to bring something that isn't available here. Ultimately, it's better if it's something mediocre. Then I can share it and everyone can say the tried it. If it's outstanding, we'll all be frustrated that we'll never get it again...

@Nozinan - Hope the back's on the mend!?

@RianC Thanks. Slowly...

@Nozinan - I hear that . . .

@Nozinan sorry to hear about the back - I think many on here cringe and nod when we read that - we can sympathise with your condition. Hopefully you get back to normality quickly. By wanting something high proof you're going to be paying a lot more. If you just want something different but mediocre then I'd be looking at one of the Thomson Whisky offerings - they are very accessible and reasonably priced. Something smoked with manuka, or South Island peat, aged in NZ red wine casks, or made with NZ rye.....

@Nozinan, @Hewie, I'm already frustrated, a bit of top shelf NZ frustration certainly couldn't hurt!

@paddockjudge Agreed.

@Hewie I was tongue in cheek about something mediocre. Better to taste something great once than never.

If I can swing it I will try to get him to bring something good.

Just got in touch with him. He's Leaving the 30th (which I guess is tomorrow) so options will be limited but he's agreed to try to pick something up within the parameters I gave him.

@Nozinan sounds like a fun"lucky dip" - who knows what might turn up ha ha