Whisky Tasting : Thomson whisky

 In the last 20 years New Zealand has undergone a beer revolution, and in the last 5-10 years the spirits industry has decided to kick on. There's a lot of new(ish) gins on the NZ market, and many of these makers are using gin to subsidise their longer term plans of producing a NZ whisky. 

NZ whisky doesn't have an illustrious reputation. Historically all of the stuff I've had has been rough, immature, and apparently aged in poor quality casks. To an extent that's understandable, as the cost of good port/sherry/bourbon casks to NZ was prohibitive. 

But recently things appear to be improving, with Cardrona producing (apparently, I haven't tried it yet) excellent 3yo. And some distillers realising they've got gold on their footsteps with NZ Pinot Noir barrels, ageing has started in them... 

Thomson ran a tasting a Regional, and so Rich, Nabila and I popped along. I had low expectations.

Thomson Two Tone 40%

N: plain, hint pinot? bourbon/vanila
P: wine, light, peppery, pinot noir
F: short

It's not going to set the world on light, but it's drinkable. 5.5/10

Thomson Rye & Barley 2yo, 46% french oak casks

N: sweet, marshmallow, light, vanilla

P: sweet, astringent, vanilla

F: med, hot

6/10 again I think it's too young, the oak gave a lot of vanila, and that smoothed it a bit but no complexity

Thomson South Island Peat 46% [ex bourbon casks]

N: salt, bacon, rubber, medicinal

P: sweet, weak peat

F: med smoke

6/10 the peat is light, and it was emphasised to us that it was inland, not coastal, peat. I think this could benefit from a sherry finish, making it more like a Benriach - and more ageing.

Thomson Manuka smoke 46%

N: medicinal, sweet, oats, lemonade, smoke

P: warm, honey, manuka, smoke, sweet

F: sweet, medium

I liked this, interesting and could develop really nicely. 7/10. Again young, and lacking complexity

Thomson Five 46% 5yo

N: plain whisky, citrus

P: bland lemonade, sweet, very smooth

F:  medium

7/10 not sure why i rated this, maybe it had a bit of complexity coming through?

Thomson White Smoke 46% manuka, smoked, aged in Chardonnay casks

N: wine, citrus, melons, hint smoke

P: honey, bland

F: short, bland

5/10 disappointing.

Didn't make me change my mind about NZ whisky, but there is hope. I think the realisation we should stick to what's close (wine casks) is a good plan. And smoking barley with manuka is brilliant. 

-B