Nose - raspberry, pomegranate, apricot, fig, mint, rubber, allspice, cereal grain, light sulphur, orange zest, floral notes, butterscotch, vanilla, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - peach, rubber, raspberry, butterscotch, vanilla, mint, lemon, grapefruit, cereal grain, cinnamon, ginger, dry oak, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing short with cereal grain, red fruit, and dry oak flavors. My first whiskey from New Zealand comes from the ghosted Willowbank distillery. It’s 18 years old and finished in bourbon and red wine casks. The nose greets you with rubbery red fruits, not so different from the ones I found on the Del Maguey Tobala mezcal. Otherwise, it’s very light and grainy with some butterscotch and citrus zest in the mix. The palate is also light and grainy with the same rubbery quality and some juicy fruits. The mouthfeel is thin and the finish is disappointingly short. This is below average and tastes much younger than the 18 year age statement would indicate. The bright, juicy red fruit quality is intriguing, but it’s watery and unpleasantly rubbery and sour. Regardless, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to try this rare whiskey. Thank you to @PBMichiganWolverine for sending this one along!