#18 THOMSON
Wood smoke. Tropical fruit. A distinctly New Zealand whisky.
A New Zealand single malt smoked using native mānuka wood and matured in an ex-bourbon cask. Herbal smoke meets bright citrus and tropical fruit. Just 270 bottles.
⭐️ Only 17 bottles remaining... ⭐️
THE CASK DETAILS
NEW ZEALAND SINGLE MALT WHISKY
Only 270 bottles created
Cask: Ex-Bourbon
Distilled: 07/08/2019
Bottled: 25/03/2025
50.8% ABV / 50CL
Non-chill filtered and no caramel colouring (ever!)
WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?
Flavour highlights
- Charred wood
- Pineapple chews
- Sherbet lemons
- Barley sugar
- Nectarines
FLAVOUR DEEPDIVE
This whisky opens with aromatic, resinous smoke - woody and herbal rather than peaty - before lifting into bright citrus and tropical fruit. Pineapple chews and sherbet lemons bring a playful sweetness, balanced by barley sugar richness and ripe nectarine notes. The smoke lingers gently on the finish, coastal and peppery, leaving a clean, mouth-watering impression that invites another sip.
IS THIS YOUR KIND OF WHISKY?
Love smoky whisky but curious about something beyond Scottish peat?
Thomson uses native New Zealand mānuka wood to create a completely different kind of smoke. Think charred wood, sherbet lemons, pineapple chews and a beautifully aromatic finish.
PART OF THE HEART CUT RARITIES
Some casks are simply too special to pass up.
Our Rarities collection brings together exceptional single casks and small batches that stand out for their character, their story and how difficult they would be to find again.
Tax included
WHY WE CHOSE THIS CASK
We love smoky whisky. But we also love discovering what happens when distilleries find their own way of creating it.
At Thomson in New Zealand, that means using native mānuka wood rather than Scottish peat.
The result is wonderfully different. Aromatic, herbal and resinous, with layers of pineapple, citrus and a little peppery warmth.
It has a character that feels completely rooted in New Zealand.
One cask. Just 270 bottles. A brilliant example of why we love exploring whisky beyond the usual places.
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.
And music! Here's a playlist of tunes to sip to.
THE DISTILLERY IN 60 SECONDS
Thomson Whisky was founded in 2009 in Riverhead, near Auckland, and is proudly 100% New Zealand owned. Known for their pioneering use of native manuka wood smoke and fresh local wine casks, Thomson create whiskies that are modern, innovative, and deeply rooted in place. Their approach has helped define what New Zealand whisky can be - bold, distinctive, and unafraid to stand apart.
We chose this cask because it captures Thomson at their most iconic: manuka smoke front and centre, shaped into a whisky that’s powerful, expressive, and unlike anything else on the shelf.
Just 270 bottles.
One individual cask. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
NOT SURE THIS IS THE ONE?
Answer a few questions and we’ll match you to the right bottle. Or try a pocket pour of this one first.
