A Master Distiller's blend of pure single Malt, assembled with precious stocks of fine grain Whisky, distilled from unmalted barley at the Willowbank Distillery on the South Island's Otago. Extravagantly matured for fifteen years, initially in a selection of American Bourbon oak barrels, followed by transfer to seasoned red wine French oak casks, achieving deep ruby colour, an immense depth of character and richly flavoured, long lasting finish.
From the world's southernmost Distillery, very near the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, surely the ideal place to make the finest Whisky. Early Scottish settlers established home stills here in the 1830s, discouraged by the authorities, the industry perished within a few decades but re-emerged with the founding of Willow Bank in the 1970s. Extremely limited in production, the final batches were transferred in 2004, from Bourbon cask to French oak barrels which had previously held North Island Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Released in 2014, one of the world's rarest and most unique editions of very fine old Whisky.
Ruby amber hue. Complex sweet nose with layers of aromatic dried fruit and spices. Rich full natural sweet palate with pleasant fruit and spicy flavours. Satisfyingly warm, lingering on toffee notes.
