Two single casks from Thomson Distillery, are located in Riverhead, just outside Auckland.
The Heart Cut was founded with one purpose: to explore the breadth of what whisky can be, by collaborating with distilleries across the world to share one-of-a-kind casks that speak of people, provenance, and flavour. For release #18 and #19, The Heart Cut turns to New Zealand, working directly with Thomson Distillery to bottle two whiskies that capture their ingenuity, independence, and sense of place. In #18, that means the global tradition of smoke reimagined through native manuka wood, a technique that Mathew Thomson himself pioneered; in #19, New Zealand’s winemaking heritage shines through a fresh Pinot Noir cask.
Release #18 is a smoky bonfire on the beach, matured in ex-bourbon and limited to just 270 bottles. Instead of peat, Thomson’s malt is smoked with native manuka wood - better known for its honey - creating resinous, herbal smoke layered with bright citrus and tropical fruit.
Release #19 takes inspiration from New Zealand’s rich winemaking heritage. Matured in a fresh, wine-soaked Pinot Noir cask from Westbrook Winery in Waimauku, sourced direct from respected winemaker and judge James Rowan, this decadent whisky bursts with red fruits and sweet spice. Just 412 bottles are available.
“Working with The Heart Cut on these bottlings felt like a natural fit,” says Rachael Thomson, co-founder of Thomson Whisky. “From the very beginning, our goal has been to create a whisky that tastes of home - from manuka smoke to fresh New Zealand wine casks - and one with a quality that stands tall on the world’s stage. This project is also hugely significant to us as it represents a world first for New Zealand whisky distilleries. With these bottlings, Thomson Whisky is the first New Zealand whisky to be released in an independent bottling outside of NZ. Partnering with The Heart Cut helps us share our story more widely, and further put New Zealand whisky on the world map.”
“Marking our 2nd birthday with these releases feels particularly special,” says Georgie Bell, co-founder of The Heart Cut. “In just two years, we’ve partnered with sixteen distilleries across ten countries, each collaboration giving us the chance to share a whisky that speaks of its landscape and people. Thomson embodies that spirit completely, and we’re proud to share their story with drinkers on this side of the world.”
Availability
The Heart Cut #18 Thomson (RRP £71, 50.8% ABV, 1 of 270 bottles) and #19 Thomson (RRP £66, 51.5% ABV, 1 of 412 bottles) are available now exclusively at theheartcut.com. Distribution is UK only.
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