Overview: The Pōkeno Whisky Company has been selected for an international scientific study examining how climate influences whisky maturation. Curated by Daniel Monk of Cask World, the project analyzes chemical and sensory profiles across eight continents.
The Full Story
The study, titled Climate-Driven Maturation Signatures in Global Whisky: A Comparative Multi-Continental Chemical and Sensory Study, investigates how different climates shape the maturation, chemistry, and taste of whisky. Daniel Monk of London-based Cask World curated The 8 Continent Series, a collection limited to 300 sets of eight whiskies. Pōkeno Whisky represents Zealandia in this series, a largely submerged landmass that includes New Zealand, which was recognized as the world’s eighth continent in 2017.
The distillery joins Penderyn Distillery of Wales representing Europe; Union Distillery of Brazil for South America; Shelter Point Distillery of Canada for North America; Boplaas Family Vineyards & Distilling of South Africa; Rampur Distillery of India for Asia; Lawrenny Estate of Australia; and La Alazana Whisky of Argentina, which represents Antarctica. Dr Aline Bortoletto of Inovbev will analyze the eight single malt whiskies over six months to build a detailed chemical and sensory profile of each spirit.
Production & Profile
Pōkeno utilizes on-site cooperage with native New Zealand timbers, giving the distillery an extraordinary ability to explore cask influence. The Antarctic whisky matured at La Alazana Distillery for five years before spending a further three years maturing at Marambio Base, an Argentine research station in Antarctica, in temperatures that dropped to -35C.
In addition to the study selection, which is understood to be a special cask from its existing range rather than a new launch, Pōkeno has released 12,000 bottles of Ringbearer. This collaboration with American collectables company Syzygy Forge honors The Lord of the Rings’ 25th anniversary and was made using virgin casks fully matured in first-fill Bourbon, virgin oak, muscat and mānuka honey casks.
Brand & Industry History
Pōkeno Whisky co-founder Matt Johns brought years of experience working in Scotland’s whisky industry to the Waikato distillery. Mike Tawse is a second-generation Scottish cooper now making casks in New Zealand and serves as the country’s only cooper. The company specializes in single malt whisky and focuses on making innovative spirits that reflect the culture and climate in New Zealand rather than simply trying to recreate Scotland.
What This Means
Monk stated it was the first scientific comparison of single malt whiskies matured across every continent. He hoped the study’s findings would help whisky makers understand how their own climate and environment shaped the spirit they made, potentially making production more sustainable in the future. Johns noted that being part of the study is an incredible opportunity to showcase what New World whisky is, helping give the category more credibility.
Consumer Takeaway
The Pōkeno Whisky Company offers a selection representing Zealandia within The 8 Continent Series, limited to 300 sets. For those seeking a specific release, the Ringbearer collaboration is available with 12,000 bottles distributed primarily in Australia and the US, alongside 2,000 in New Zealand. The study whisky remains a special cask from the existing range, allowing drinkers to experience the distillery’s native wood cask influence.
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