Description

Thomson Manuka Wood Smoke New Zealand Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 46%           Age: No Age Statement            Country: New Zealand

The Whisky

Thomson Manuka Wood Smoke is a globally acclaimed pioneer, representing the world’s first single malt whisky to be smoked using native New Zealand Manuka wood. Bottled at 46% alc, this expression replaces traditional peat with the unique botanical profile of the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), a plant synonymous with the rugged NZ landscape and medicinal honey. The barley is kiln smoked using Manuka wood chips, a process that imparts a flavour profile entirely distinct from Scottish peat.

Matured primarily in ex-Bourbon barrels, this whisky allows the singular smoke profile to take centre stage. Unlike the medicinal or briny notes of Islay, the Manuka smoke offers a sweet, aromatic, and resinous character. The 2025 batches continue to refine this signature style, presenting a spirit that is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured. It is a “true taste of New Zealand” that has garnered top honours at the World Whiskies Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, proving that innovation can create a new category of smoky whisky.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Immediately distinctive and aromatic. You are greeted with sweet wood smoke and dried herbs, reminiscent of a backyard fire using native timber. Beneath the smoke lies a layer of creamy vanilla, manuka honey, and orange zest, with a floral hint of cinnamon and crushed black tea leaves.

Palate: The mouthfeel is clean and oily. The smoke on the palate is sweet and “savoury floral”—think smoked honey, clove, and toasted marshmallows. As it develops, notes of poached pears and ginger biscuits emerge, balanced by a gentle oak spice and a slight resinous quality unique to the Manuka wood.

Finish: Medium to long with a drying, elegant finish. The sweet smoke lingers pleasantly, accompanied by fading notes of aniseed, charred pineapple, and a touch of white pepper.

The Distillery

The Thomson Whisky Distillery is located in Riverhead, Auckland, and has become the face of the New Zealand whisky revival. Founded by Mat and Rachael Thomson, the distillery operates with a fiercely independent “craft” ethos, utilising a traditional copper pot still that Mat helped design. While many distilleries seek to emulate Scotland, Thomson has looked inward to New Zealand’s terroir, experimenting with native woods and local grains. A unique factual detail: the Manuka wood used for smoking is sustainably sourced from the Waitakere Ranges, and the distillery uses pure Auckland rainwater for its production, ensuring that every element of the process is deeply rooted in the local environment.

Overall Review

Thomson Manuka Wood Smoke is a revolutionary “must-try” for any fan of smoky whisky looking for a new frontier beyond peat. It is widely reviewed as a perfectly balanced, sophisticated malt that offers a singular, aromatic experience found nowhere else on earth.