Whisky Review/Tasting: South Island 21 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: New Zealand, specifically from the Willow Bank distillery located near Dunedin on the South Island.
Type: Single malt whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Distilled using local barleys and snowmelt water from the Southern Alps. Initially matured for 5 years in refill ex-bourbon casks, then transferred to French red wine casks for an additional 10 years.
Age Statement: 21 years.
Color and Bottle Design: The whisky has a red and very intense color, indicating its rich flavor profile and unique maturation process. The bottle design wasn't specifically described, but it contains a detailed history of the distillery on the back label.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky is described as quite mild, with a 40% ABV contributing to its gentle character despite its age.
Unique Characteristics: Notably fruity, with tropical fruit flavors and a faint aroma of coconut, possibly from the expert casks. It lacks the oakiness typically found in aged whiskies, with some dryness and a fresh quality unusual for a 21-year-old whisky.
Comparison: It is distinctly not Scotch, lacking the oak presence and showcasing a very fruity profile.

Distillery History: Willow Bank distillery, once the world's southernmost distillery, has a rich history intertwined with Scottish settlers in New Zealand. It thrived under various ownerships, including Seagrams of Canada, before being closed and dismantled.
Production Legacy: The New Zealand Whiskey Company acquired the last remaining stocks from Willow Bank, maturing them in Oamaru. The whisky has been sold under various names, including Lamelor, Milford, and simply M, as efforts to sell the remaining stocks continue.

Scottish Influence: The arrival of Scottish settlers in the 1830s introduced whisky distilling to New Zealand, with many settling in the Otago region where the industry initially flourished.
Geographical Uniqueness: The distillery's location on the South Island, utilizing local resources like barley and snowmelt water, underscores the unique environmental and cultural factors contributing to the whisky's character.

Horst Luening, the master taster, expressed a personal preference for more oak presence in whisky, indicating that this particular bottle might not be among his favorites. However, he acknowledges its rarity and potential value as a collectible due to its unique origin and story.

Originated from New Zealand's Willow Bank distillery, now closed.
A 21-year-old single malt whisky, matured in ex-bourbon and French red wine casks.
Features a mild, fruity flavor profile with tropical fruits and a faint coconut aroma, lacking in oakiness.
The whisky's history is tied to the Scottish settlers in New Zealand and the rise and fall of the Willow Bank distillery.
Considered a collectible due to its rarity and unique backstory.

Whisky Collectors: Given its unique history and rarity, collectors might be particularly interested in acquiring a bottle.
Fans of Mild, Fruity Whiskies: Those who prefer a milder, fruit-forward whisky over the traditional oaky and robust profiles might enjoy this whisky.
Whisky History Enthusiasts: Individuals interested in the global history of whisky production and the story of distilleries around the world would find this whisky's background compelling.