New Zealand 18 Year Old Double Wood / Wine Cask New Whisky

Suki Patel — Complex sipper, needs patience

8/10

Don't just pour this and knock it back — let it breathe for a good ten minutes. The nose starts hot with that 57.2% ABV but settles into toffee, baked apple, and something almost like port. On the palate there's a nice interplay between the bourbon sweetness and the wine cask influence. I drink it neat with a splash of water and it rewards you every time.

Andre Dubois — Complex sipper, needs patience

8/10

Don't just pour this and knock it back — let it breathe for a good ten minutes. The nose starts hot with that 57.2% ABV but settles into toffee, baked apple, and something almost like port. On the palate there's a nice interplay between the bourbon sweetness and the wine cask influence. I drink it neat with a splash of water and it rewards you every time.

Mei-Lin Wu — Complex sipper, needs patience

8/10

Don't just pour this and knock it back — let it breathe for a good ten minutes. The nose starts hot with that 57.2% ABV but settles into toffee, baked apple, and something almost like port. On the palate there's a nice interplay between the bourbon sweetness and the wine cask influence. I drink it neat with a splash of water and it rewards you every time.

Olivia Park — Stunning for the price

9/10

I grabbed this on a whim and it's genuinely one of the best NZ whiskies I've tried. The wine cask finish adds this gorgeous dried fruit and dark berry layer over the classic vanilla and oak you'd expect from 18 years in wood. At cask strength 57.2% it's got serious punch but a few drops of water opens it right up. Under a hundred quid for an 18-year-old at this quality is a steal.

Daniel Torres — Stunning for the price

9/10

I grabbed this on a whim and it's genuinely one of the best NZ whiskies I've tried. The wine cask finish adds this gorgeous dried fruit and dark berry layer over the classic vanilla and oak you'd expect from 18 years in wood. At cask strength 57.2% it's got serious punch but a few drops of water opens it right up. Under a hundred quid for an 18-year-old at this quality is a steal.

Aria Kim — Stunning for the price

9/10

I grabbed this on a whim and it's genuinely one of the best NZ whiskies I've tried. The wine cask finish adds this gorgeous dried fruit and dark berry layer over the classic vanilla and oak you'd expect from 18 years in wood. At cask strength 57.2% it's got serious punch but a few drops of water opens it right up. Under a hundred quid for an 18-year-old at this quality is a steal.

Henrik Larsen — Wine cask works beautifully here

8/10

Picked this up after reading about the double wood process and the wine cask finish really delivers. There's a lovely sweetness — think raisins and cherry jam — balanced by baking spice and a dry oaky backbone from the age. It's hot neat at 57.2% so I usually add a teaspoon of water. At just under a hundred quid for a well-aged cask strength pour, I'm happy with the value.

Zoe Chen — Wine cask works beautifully here

8/10

Picked this up after reading about the double wood process and the wine cask finish really delivers. There's a lovely sweetness — think raisins and cherry jam — balanced by baking spice and a dry oaky backbone from the age. It's hot neat at 57.2% so I usually add a teaspoon of water. At just under a hundred quid for a well-aged cask strength pour, I'm happy with the value.

Marco Andretti — Wine cask works beautifully here

8/10

Picked this up after reading about the double wood process and the wine cask finish really delivers. There's a lovely sweetness — think raisins and cherry jam — balanced by baking spice and a dry oaky backbone from the age. It's hot neat at 57.2% so I usually add a teaspoon of water. At just under a hundred quid for a well-aged cask strength pour, I'm happy with the value.

Yuki Nakamura — New Zealand punching above its weight

9/10

I keep telling people NZ whisky is the real deal and this bottle is my exhibit A. Eighteen years of age and bottled at natural strength — you can taste every year in the glass. Rich dried fruit, honey, toasted oak, and a finish that just goes on and on. I poured this for three mates who are diehard Scotch drinkers and they were all genuinely impressed.

Marcus Blackwell — New Zealand punching above its weight

9/10

I keep telling people NZ whisky is the real deal and this bottle is my exhibit A. Eighteen years of age and bottled at natural strength — you can taste every year in the glass. Rich dried fruit, honey, toasted oak, and a finish that just goes on and on. I poured this for three mates who are diehard Scotch drinkers and they were all genuinely impressed.

Lena Petrova — New Zealand punching above its weight

9/10

I keep telling people NZ whisky is the real deal and this bottle is my exhibit A. Eighteen years of age and bottled at natural strength — you can taste every year in the glass. Rich dried fruit, honey, toasted oak, and a finish that just goes on and on. I poured this for three mates who are diehard Scotch drinkers and they were all genuinely impressed.

Adaobi Eze — Good but not quite there for me

7/10

Solid whisky, well-made, and the double wood maturation gives it plenty to think about. I get caramel, stewed plums, and a hint of spice on the finish. My only gripe is the wine cask sometimes overwhelms the base spirit — I'd have liked more of that 18-year-old bourbon character to shine through. At £100 it's fair but not a no-brainer.

Haruki Sato — Good but not quite there for me

7/10

Solid whisky, well-made, and the double wood maturation gives it plenty to think about. I get caramel, stewed plums, and a hint of spice on the finish. My only gripe is the wine cask sometimes overwhelms the base spirit — I'd have liked more of that 18-year-old bourbon character to shine through. At £100 it's fair but not a no-brainer.

Simon Hughes — Good but not quite there for me

7/10

Solid whisky, well-made, and the double wood maturation gives it plenty to think about. I get caramel, stewed plums, and a hint of spice on the finish. My only gripe is the wine cask sometimes overwhelms the base spirit — I'd have liked more of that 18-year-old bourbon character to shine through. At £100 it's fair but not a no-brainer.