CASK OWNERS
We have been overwhelmed with the positive response to our small cask offer. So far we have sold over 20 casks to customers across New Zealand and Australia. Some owners have taken the extra step of visiting our warehouse and personally filling their 20 litre cask. In doing so have been treated to a private consultation and guided tasting with our Master Blender James McKenzie. Whisky distilling is in James’s blood, the MacKenzie family has had a very long history with whisky blending and distilling. So your whisky will be in very good hand for it’s 2 year maturation.
Not all cask owners are able to make it to Oamaru to fill their cask, but those who were fortunate enough to are pictured below
NATHAN COWAN
On Tuesday 13 June 2017 we were proud to host our first small cask owners filling their very own 20 litre cask of uniquely New Zealand single malt new make. Nathan and Felicity came all the way from Melbourne for this historic event. They were an absolute pleasure to spend the morning with; sipping whisky, talking whisky and, of course, filling their own cask with new make spirit that in 2+ years will mature as whisky.
Filling our small cask was a once in a lifetime experience we’ll never forget. Thank you for sharing your tremendous knowledge & passion for great whisky. The entire process continues to exceed all of our expectations. We feel a special connection with the product. We look forward to every step (& sip) to come.
– Nath & Flic
CHRIS STURGEON
Chris through his association with Hapuka Lodge www.hapukulodge.com has been a loyal customer and devoted fan for many years and it is fantastic to have him on board in a personal capacity as a cask owner.
Having lost some of his personal collection of prized whisky in the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, we trust this will cask purchase will go someway toward replenishing his cellar!
I am delighted I took the time to fill the barrel and spend time talking about the process. It was just fantastic. You guys have a wonderful set up and product there. I look forward to seeing how it develops over the coming few years.
– Chris
DAVID HALL
Originally from Dunedin but now a resident from Canterbury (national HQ for their industrial pump business), it took little convincing for David and his wife Sharon to attend his cask filling, where we regaled stories of both Wilson’s and 45 South.
Despite all of David’s business related travel and access to endless duty free, at the conclusion of the cask filling he demonstrated his love of our older stock when he purchased a bottle of our prized 1987 single malt and a bottle of our classic 1993 Cask Strength. Apologies for the pun David, but we’re pumped to have you on board as part of our revival.
KATH MURPHY
A keen whisky fan from Auckland, Kath is a lover of fine single malts. She came down with her Husband for the weekend and loved our space and whisky. Kath is finding herself a keen ambassador of our whisky and is keen to get other friends and colleges in her growing communications industry to get on board with there own private casks.
It was fantastic to have a look around and hear all about what you’re doing, and of course do the actual cask filling. Really impressed with everything and excited to see how things develop in the future
– Kath
GREG CARSON
With an email address that references an iconic Maniatoto town, it was evident from the outset that Greg has an existing association with the lower South Island and the providence of our existing aged whisky. Originally from NZ but now residing in Hobart (TAS), Greg has a serious passion for New World whisky and we are delighted to have him as part of our revival.
The KiwiTas group comprises friends and whisky fans from Tasmania and NZ. We decided to purchase and fill a cask from NZ Whisky. Once the decision was made NZ Whisky made the process simple and enjoyable. I watched the cask being filled while on holiday (being one of the Tasmanian residents) and they were very accommodating regarding timing. While the cask was being filled we discussed the aging process and sampled the new make. We are planning to meet at the distillery in a couple of years’ time in Oamaru for the bottling. The only downside in the process so far is having to wait a couple of years for the whisky to mature!
– Greg
DONNELLE MCLEOD
Originally from Cambridge, Donnelle has a strong connection with Aotearoa whereas Bev is a native Singaporean. In their own words they are relatively new to whisky however prior to travelling to Oamaru they did undertake the master class at Starward Distillery on the advice of our CEO – Troy Trewin.
No surprise then that with their love of wine, business interest in a North Island winery that they elected the French Oak option.
We had such a lovely time and; WOW – the warehouse! You are absolutely living the dream, whiskey and history all in one!
-Donnelle
HON PETER DUNNE
In August 2017 we received a phone call from Peter’s son making enquiries for a retirement gift for their father. I was a little puzzled by this (delighted too) but when James advised that his dad’s retirement was post election, the penny dropped… The recipient was none other than United Future Leader and Ohariu MP – Hon Peter Dunne. Who would have thought that politicians loved whisky?
It was fair to say that there was most certainly a level of nervousness on the morning of Peter’s cask filling as he is our most high profile cask owner to date. Upon arrival that very quickly departed. Quite honestly this was our most relaxed and enjoyable cask filling to date. Peter spoke of his life in politics, a few of his favourite stories, characters etc and was very engaging. We joked that throughout his political career whilst he had cut many ribbons, turned many sods and kissed many babies he had only banged one bung!
I had a great day visiting Grant and James, and getting my cask organised. Actually filling it was a special highlight. I am looking forward to working with Grant and James over the next few years to produce a really quality whisky that I will enjoy. If you ever in Oamaru, a visit to NZ Whisky must be top of your list. You will not be disappointed!
-Peter
KAREN & STUART MCLAUCHLAN
I’m not certain ham & pineapple pizza and potato wedges have been paired with whisky before but this was most certainly the order of the day when our Dunedin based directors Karen and Stuart undertook their cask filling. Mindful not to be ‘tasting’ on an empty stomach, the cask filling was most certainly light hearted and highly entertaining.
Karen & Stuart were joined by a number of their friends and without a doubt this was some start to their weekend.
*Special thanks to pizza delivery boy (Phil Scott – Scott’s Brewing)
