The New Zealand Whisky Collection South Island 25 Year Old Single Malt New Zealand Whisky (350ml)

"Proof that the country in which a whisky is made is totally irrelevant...Great whisky is great whisky".

Distilled at the famous Willowbank Distillery in Dunedin in the south of New Zealand. The Willowbank Distillery was opened by the Baker family in 1974 after approaches to the New Zealand government allowed more favourable regulations. The Bakers commenced distilling whiskies and marketed blends including Wilsons and 45 South. The large Canadian multi-national, Seagrams improved the still and processes after purchasing the distillery in the 1980's, marketing the Single Malts as 'Lammerlaw', named after a nearby mountain range, the source of the pure water from which the whisky was created. Production ceased in 1997 as Seagrams rationalised their world wide business and the operation was sold to Fosters who mothballed the company in 2000, and sent the silent stills to Fiji to make rum. The New Zealand whisky company purchased the last 600 barrels of mainly Lammerlaw malt and the whisky has been maturing in the towering seaside bondstore in Oamaru's famous heritage precinct ever since.

Other reviews....
Wow! This malt has taken a surprising direction in the 25 years since it was made... This has opened and thinned out with a big vanilla input while the oak has kept a discreet distance.
85.5 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2017