Thomsom Whisky are excited to announce the arrival of their latest bottling – Manuka Smoke ‘Progress Report’. As you may know they released the first 100 bottles of young, up-and-coming Manuka Smoke spirit just prior to Christmas, giving you all the opportunity to taste the developing flavours of batch 001 of this world-first distillation. ‘Progress Report’ refers to the fact that this bottling is an update from the barrel, as maturation develops over time and is a chance to track its progress.

The exclusive bottling provided whisky enthusiasts a taste of this smokey and fiery spirit in its youth, as a sample of what’s to come later in the maturation process. It’s common for Scottish distilleries to offer a release of very young new-make spirit, but not so in New Zealand.

Already gaining in body and complex flavours, the Manuka Smoke spirit currently offers natural smoke notes, cinnamon, clove and Manuka oils on the palate. With native Manuka contributing a peppery smokiness it is likely to satisfy those interested in peated Scotch.

Believed to be a world-first (last year Thomson Whisky distilled New Zealand’s first commercial batch of Manuka smoked single malt) the interest so far has been overwhelming, and has led to this unique ‘anticipation’ bottling. Thomson Whisky plan on releasing further ‘Progress Report’ bottlings mid 2015.

The spirit is made from 100% New Zealand grown malted barley, which is kilned using Manuka wood, and distilled at the Thomson Distillery in Riverhead, Auckland.