Pokeno – New Zealand Single Malt Totara Cask

This is a New Zealand single malt from Pokeno, matured fully in first-fill bourbon casks and then moved into totara casks for a second maturation. The totara casks were hand-made by the distillery's cooper in New Zealand's only working cooperage, as 200-litre casks given a light toast and a light char. Totara is a native tree whose wood becomes sweet and creamy when toasted. The nose is crisp, clean and sweet, like biting into a Royal Gala apple, with stewed fruit, peaches, nectarines and dessert wine. The palate is soft and rich, with brandy sauce, dark chocolate and passion fruit. Peach lingers in the finish.