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Penfolds Grange + St Henri: The Collector's Set
Two of Australia's most enduring red wine expressions, together in one collection. Grange and St Henri represent opposite poles of the Penfolds phi...
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Two of Australia's most enduring red wine expressions, together in one collection. Grange and St Henri represent opposite poles of the Penfolds phi...
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Product Description:Curiously modern yet unmistakably Hendrick’s, Another Hendrick’s Gin 700ml is an inventive new expression from the iconic Scott...
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Richness, balance and layered cask influence define this expressive New Zealand single malt from the innovative team at Pōkeno Whisky Co. Pōkeno Discovery is crafted from carefully selected whiskies matured separately in first-fill bourbon, oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximénez casks before being married together for additional integration and complexity. Produced using locally grown barley and pure volcanic spring water from New Zealand’s North Island, the whisky captures both vibrancy and depth while maintaining a smooth, approachable character. The warmer Waikato climate accelerates maturation, allowing the spirit to develop concentrated fruit richness and rounded texture at a comparatively youthful age.
In the glass, Discovery offers a darker and more decadent profile than the distillery’s bourbon-cask-driven Origin expression, revealing notes of cocoa, black forest gâteau, ripe cherries and sweet citrus layered over creamy malt. The interplay between bourbon and fortified wine casks gives the whisky impressive textural richness while avoiding excessive sweetness. Long fermentation and slow distillation contribute body and softness, ensuring the whisky remains elegant despite its flavour intensity. The oloroso influence introduces nutty spice and dried fruit complexity, while the Pedro Ximénez casks contribute darker raisined tones and gentle chocolate richness. Beneath the richer notes lies a fresh citrus lift that keeps the palate energetic and balanced through the finish. Discovery is a compelling example of modern New Zealand whisky craftsmanship, combining accessibility with genuine complexity and cask-driven depth.
Richness, balance and layered cask influence define this expressive New Zealand single malt from the innovative team at Pōkeno Whisky Co. Pōkeno Discovery is crafted from carefully selected whiskies matured separately in first-fill bourbon, oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximénez casks before being married together for additional integration and complexity. Produced using locally grown barley and pure volcanic spring water from New Zealand’s North Island, the whisky captures both vibrancy and depth while maintaining a smooth, approachable character. The warmer Waikato climate accelerates maturation, allowing the spirit to develop concentrated fruit richness and rounded texture at a comparatively youthful age.
In the glass, Discovery offers a darker and more decadent profile than the distillery’s bourbon-cask-driven Origin expression, revealing notes of cocoa, black forest gâteau, ripe cherries and sweet citrus layered over creamy malt. The interplay between bourbon and fortified wine casks gives the whisky impressive textural richness while avoiding excessive sweetness. Long fermentation and slow distillation contribute body and softness, ensuring the whisky remains elegant despite its flavour intensity. The oloroso influence introduces nutty spice and dried fruit complexity, while the Pedro Ximénez casks contribute darker raisined tones and gentle chocolate richness. Beneath the richer notes lies a fresh citrus lift that keeps the palate energetic and balanced through the finish. Discovery is a compelling example of modern New Zealand whisky craftsmanship, combining accessibility with genuine complexity and cask-driven depth.
Pōkeno Whisky Co. was established in New Zealand’s North Island with a clear intention: to create single malt whisky that reflects the country’s climate, water, and agricultural character rather than replicate established Scotch traditions. The distillery sits in the small township of Pōkeno, south of Auckland, an area chosen for its natural spring water sourced through volcanic rock and its warm, humid maturation conditions.
Founded by whisky industry veterans Matt Johns and Celine Tschudin, the distillery combines traditional copper pot distillation with a distinctly New Zealand approach to ingredient sourcing and maturation. Locally grown barley forms the foundation of production, while long fermentations are used to develop texture and fruit complexity before distillation. Every release is matured on-site, allowing the changing North Island climate to play an active role in flavour development.
From its earliest releases, Pōkeno has positioned itself as a modern whisky house focused on transparency, cask quality, and regional identity. Rather than relying heavily on peat or overt oak influence, the distillery’s style leans toward orchard fruit, citrus, honeyed malt, and layered spice, shaped by active cask maturation and careful spirit cut selection.
Pōkeno’s production philosophy centres on provenance and precision. Water is drawn from a deep underground aquifer filtered naturally through volcanic rock, contributing mineral clarity and softness to the spirit. The distillery uses non-peated malted barley and prioritises slow fermentation to encourage the formation of fruity esters and a fuller spirit character before distillation begins.
Maturation is equally central to the distillery’s identity. Pōkeno sources high-quality first-fill barrels, particularly ex-bourbon casks, and matures whisky in New Zealand’s warmer subtropical environment. This climate accelerates interaction between spirit and oak, creating richer texture and earlier flavour integration than is typical in cooler whisky-producing regions.
The result is a whisky style that feels contemporary and place-driven: expressive fruit, rounded sweetness, measured spice, and clarity of malt. Rather than chasing intensity for its own sake, Pōkeno’s releases are designed around balance, drinkability, and a clear sense of origin.