Berry Bros & Rudd Thomson 2017 8 Years Old New Zealand Single Malt (Cask 221) (52.2%)

This is a single malt from the Thomson Distillery near Auckland in New Zealand, bottled by Berry Bros & Rudd for its Odyssey Range from cask 221. It matured for eight years and was bottled at 52.2% ABV, with 214 bottles released. The malt is smoked with native Manuka wood rather than peat, which gives a savoury style with a sweeter, resinous character. The nose is described as aromatic wood smoke, clove, mesquite and soft honey, followed by charred oak, smoked meat, lemongrass and golden syrup on the palate. The finish carries lingering fragrant smoke, soft malt and warming oak.