#18 THOMSON - POCKET POUR
A Kiwi bonfire on the beach, in a bottle.
Swap Scottish peat for New Zealand manuka smoke, and you have this: a single cask from Thomson Distillery that captures the wild, resinous character of smouldering manuka wood, layered with bright citrus and tropical fruit.
ABOUT THIS WHISKY
New Zealand Single Malt Whisky
Only 270 bottles created
Cask: Ex-Bourbon
Distilled: 07/08/2019
Bottled: 25/03/2025
Strength: 50.8%
Non-chill filtered and no caramel colouring (ever!)
TASTES LIKE
Thick, aromatic smoke rises first - charred wood, pine resin, and a balsamic note that drifts towards mesquite and sweet birch. Beneath, the fruit opens: pineapple chews, sherbet lemons, and a twist of citrus. On the palate, smoke rolls again, joined by barley sugar and a juicy hit of nectarine and overripe peach. The finish is long, layered, and balanced - sweetness entwined with lingering manuka wood smoke.
Key Takeouts
- Charred Wood
- Pineapple Chews
- Sherbet Lemons
- Barley Sugar
- Nectarines
MUSIC TO SIP TO
Enjoying a dram by yourself whilst relaxing after a long day? Sharing the bottle with a few friends? Whatever the occasion, stick THIS playlist one to make that dram taste that little bit better.
WANT THE FULL SIZE BOTTLE?
Love the sound of this whisky? Grab a full size bottle of this release HERE 🥃
Tax included
Shipping calculated at checkout
THIS MADE THE CUT BECAUSE
This is smoky whisky - but not as you know it. Instead of Scottish peat, Thomson uses native manuka wood (yes, the same tree better known for its honey) to smoke their malt, creating a flavour absolutely unique to New Zealand and a technique that Mat Thomson himself created! The result is oily, herbal, peppery, and deeply resinous, with layers of smoke that linger on. Just as smoke became one of Scotland’s hallmarks, manuka has become one of New Zealand’s - captured here in a single cask, giving us only 270 bottles. Ever.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
With its powerful, full-force wood-smoke-meets-tropical profile, this beer deserves something fresh to go alongside.
Attic Brew Co Centro – A juicy, citrus-laced session IPA is the perfect canvas to highlight the whisky's wood-smoke-meets-tropical character.
Small Beer Co Pale Ale – Light and refreshing with tropical fruit and juicy malt, this 2.5% pale ale is the perfect sessionable contrast to the dram’s warming, smoky depth.
HEADING TO AUCKLAND?
Check out our tried and tested guide to our favourite bars, restaurants, coffee shops and other cool things to do whilst visiting Thomson Distillery or passing through Auckland. Enjoy!
