New Zealand Single Malt Whisky, 'Discovery'

• Single malt whisky produced by Pōkeno [POH•keh•noh] Distillery in Pōkeno, New Zealand
• Distilled from 100% unpeated malted barley grown on New Zealand’s South Island
• Produced using volcanic spring water sourced from a natural spring beneath the distillery
• Fermented for 80 hours in stainless steel
• Double distilled in copper pot stills
• Aged a minimum of 3 years in a combination of first-fill bourbon, ex–Oloroso sherry, and ex–Pedro Ximénez sherry casks; non-age statement
• After aging, the whiskies are blended and placed back in the original aging casks to marry for an additional 3 months
• After a final 48-hour vatting, the blend is chill filtered and rested for 24 hours before bottling
• Brown butter, dried millet, malted milkshake, date, and dried fig transition to a warm and welcoming palate featuring the distillery’s bright, fruity malt, enveloped by deep notes of dried red fruit and caramel with cooked peach, honey, and vanilla riding out the finish
• No added coloring
• 43% ABV

Discovery is where the Pōkeno team begins to demonstrate their deft hand at blending. After distillation, new make is placed in either first-fill bourbon, ex–Oloroso sherry, or ex–Pedro Ximénez casks and fully matured individually before blending. Pōkeno Founder Matt Johns notes that Discovery is carefully blended to ensure the delicate New Zealand single malt remains the star of the show, with the sherry highlighting and accentuating individual characteristics within the malt.