Description

Thomson Port Cask Finish New Zealand Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 51.6%           Age: No Age Statement            Country: New Zealand

The Whisky

The Thomson Port Cask Finish is a vibrant, small batch New Zealand single malt that perfectly captures the innovative spirit of the Auckland based distillery. Bottled at a powerful 51.6% alc/vol, this expression is an “Australian Exclusive” that was carefully selected from an experimental French Oak Port Cask. Distilled in Thomson’s hand beaten copper pot stills from 100% NZ grown malted barley, the spirit was initially matured in ex-Bourbon barrels (filled in December 2019) before being transferred in early 2024 to the Port cask for a transformative 18 month finish.

Inside information reveals this bottling was specifically chosen for the 2025 Sydney Whisky Fair to showcase the distillery’s evolution beyond their famous Manuka smoke profile. By bottling at 51.6%, Thomson has preserved the oily, robust texture of the spirit, allowing the dark fruit influence of the French Oak Port pipe to integrate seamlessly with the honeyed NZ malt. As with all Thomson releases, it is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, presenting a deep, rose gold hue that is entirely a gift from the wood.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Indulgent and fruit forward. Initial notes of sticky fig jam and golden syrup are met by the warmth of cloves and toasted cinnamon. As the glass warms, a brighter layer of ripe stone fruits—think nectarines and apricots—emerges, balanced by a subtle hint of rosewater and polished oak.

Palate: The high ABV delivers a rich, mouth coating experience. A big burst of black cherry and dark plum sweetness leads the way, followed by savoury undertones of walnut and leather. Mid palate, the Bourbon-cask roots show through with creamy vanilla and butterscotch, while the Port finish provides a spicy, drying edge of black pepper and aniseed.

Finish: Long, spicy, and remarkably clean. The finish lingers with the taste of dark chocolate coated ginger and a final, sweet flourish of red grape skins and toasted barley.

The Distillery

Thomson Whisky began in 2009 as a “passion project” by founders Mathew and Rachael Thomson, originally operating as independent bottlers of salvaged New Zealand spirit. By 2014, they established their own distillery in Riverhead, north-west of Auckland, nestled between two coasts in the heart of wine country. Thomson is world renowned for their innovation, specifically their use of native Manuka wood to smoke their barley—a world first. A unique factual detail: the distillery uses pure rainwater collected from the Waitakere ranges and operates with a “hands-on” philosophy, even coopering many of their own barrels on-site to ensure the local climate and New Zealand terroir are captured in every drop.

Overall Review

The Port Cask Finish is a standout release that proves Thomson is a master of cask finishing as much as smoke. Critics have praised its bold 51.6% punch and its ability to balance rich, jammy fruit with a clean, malt driven backbone.