Waiheke Whisky – Bog Monster 8 Year Old (70cl, 46%)

Waiheke Whisky Bog Monster is a peated New Zealand single malt from a single cask, bottled at 8 years old and 46% in a 70cl bottle. It is non-chill filtered, with no added colour. The heavily peated New Zealand malt, with peat from the Tussock Creek bogs of Southland, was milled, fermented and double distilled in copper pots on Waiheke Island in 2015. It matured first in virgin American oak, then in an ex-bourbon barrel, and was bottled in 2022. It won Gold and the Trophy for Best in World Whisky Category at the 2022 New Zealand Spirits Awards. The nose has caramel, orange blossom, umami, spice and sweet smoke. The palate is sweet and rich with burnt caramel, ginger and dark chocolate, leading to a long finish.