#18 THOMSON
Smoke, but not as you know it.
Manuka-smoked and matured in an ex-bourbon cask, this New Zealand single malt delivers resinous smoke, bright citrus sweetness and coastal energy - a whisky that could only come from Aotearoa.
Less than 15% of the cask remaining
KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE
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!)
TASTES 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.
WHO IS THIS WHISKY FOR?
For smoky-whisky lovers looking for something genuinely different.
If you enjoy peat but are curious about smoke beyond Scotland - or simply want a whisky with a strong sense of place - this one will stop you in your tracks.
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.
Tax included
Shipping calculated at checkout
FLAVOUR MAP
WHY WE CHOSE THIS CASK
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.
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.
STILL NOT SURE?
Choosing a bottle of whisky can be a daunting task. With so much choice out there, it's important to make sure the bottle you choose is perfect for you. If this bottle isn't quite doing that for you, you can complete out whisky matchmaker quiz where we'll tell you the best whisky for you based on your flavour preferences OR you can order a few different Pocket Pours to sample your way through our releases.
