Cardrona Distillery Otago Pinot Cask
Cardrona Distillery Otago Pinot Cask, a single malt whisky from New Zealand has just been released, marking an important landmark in the company’s history. Philip Day provides an insight into this special release, limited to just 1,217 bottles.
On 6th of November, New Zealand’s award-winning Cardrona Distillery celebrated its milestone seventh year of production by introducing an outstanding new single malt whisky to its luxurious range of small batch spirits – The Otago Pinot Cask. The celebratory release is an exquisite marriage of four locally sourced, hand selected Felton Road Pinot noir casks. The result is an extraordinary dram from a New World Master. With only 1,217 bottles available, the distillery’s first 700ml bottle is the perfect gift for any discerning whisky lover keen to explore New Zealand’s leading-edge contributions to the art of distilling.
At the launch, Cardrona’s spokesperson explained:
“Cardrona Distillery uses a revolutionary method to preserve the casks’ rich Pinot noir seasoning, bringing them to the distillery within hours of the wine leaving the barrel and immediately charging them with new make spirit.
“The casks are then matured in the extreme environment of the Cardrona Valley, which itself plays a vital part in the maturation process. Temperatures can vary from -10°C in winter to a soaring 40°C in summer and being situated at 600m above sea-level with zero humidity – there really is nowhere on earth quite like the Cardrona Valley.
“The elements have all played a part in this expression, melding the spirit into a simply extraordinary whisky. We can’t wait for the UK’s discerning whisky aficionados to sample a dram.”
Tasting Notes: (Provided by CardronaDistillery)
Colour: warm rose gold
Nose: black amber plum and nectarines
Taste: raspberries, poached nectarines, toffee, roasted cashews and baking spices.
The Cardrona Day Special Release: 2022 Otago Pinot Cask is non-chill filtered and naturally flavoured. RRP £175
When their 3 year old ‘Just Hatched’ Cardrona Single Malt Whisky was released in 2018, the first cask sold out in three days. It went on to be awarded category winner of ‘Single Malt 12 years and under’ at the World Whiskies Award in February 2020 and was scored as one of the best 50 drams ever reviewed by Whisky Magazine.
Cardrona is a unique brand, distilling hand-crafted luxury spirits in New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps to share with the world. The Cardrona story is infused with the magic of the Cardrona Valley and the incredible vision and determination of founder, Desiree Reid, who sold her family farm to pursue her dream of building a modern, family-run distillery in her native New Zealand.
She chose the Cardrona Valley for its unspoilt tranquillity, crisp clean air and the availability of superb quality local ingredients, perfect for foraging across the seasons. Most importantly, it gave her access to the crystal-clear, mineral-rich Alpine waters of New Zealand’s highest mountain pass for production.
Image – Desiree Reid
Cardrona’s philosophy is to make things properly. Desiree has previously stated:
“Our sole focus is to make great whisky, with the very best ingredients and craftsmanship. In 50 years Cardrona will remain an artisan distillery dedicated to crafting one of the most sought-after malts in the world, from one of the world’s most pristine environments.
“A great whisky is like a fine piece of art – it is built in layers, each one adding more colour and texture than the one before. But a masterpiece isn’t something you can make with a click of the fingers. It takes time, patience, and years of waiting.”
Now available in the UK
The Cardrona Distillery range of exquisite hand-crafted spirits is now available in the UK, hailing from one of the world’s most remarkable distilleries: Cardrona Distillery in New Zealand.
Cardrona’s luxurious single malt whisky, gin, vodka and liqueurs all perfectly capture the purity and beauty of their home in the Cardrona Valley, set within the spectacular snow-capped Southern Alps of New Zealand’s South Island – a location which makes this one of the world’s most southerly distilleries.
For further information please visit the company’s UK website.
Availability: from specialist whisky shops and online merchants.
Price: £175 (RRP as of 8.11.2022)
Contact details
Internet UK: https://www.cardronadistillery.co.uk
Internet NZ: https://www.cardronadistillery.co.nz
Facebook: @cardonadistillery
Instagram: @cardronadistillery
LinkedIn: @cardonadistillery