@Soba45: Thanks for the information! I will see what I can find... and as for the weather, yes, I am aware it will be mid winter. I will probably catch a cold, coming from Singapore and heading towards Cooks Islands afterwards ;-)

I just checked. The 18 is sadly sold out. There is just the 23 now...def a collector's item but not cheap. Thomsons distillery is in Auckland so well worth a visit. We have a handful more distilleries which have started up. A number started buying old stock from willowbank to get them going e.g. NZ Distillery and Thomsons. Others such as Lawrys (really not good) have started from scratch and Cardrona has been purpose built down in Queenstown. They do other spirits and liquors to get them cash flow b4 the whiskey is ready. You can also buy a barrel now, choose the wood etc you want and collect in 10 years. I have a friend and several of them did this. I think its $10k NZ a barrel. Worked out $40 a bottle depending on what the angels share was. Enjoy NZ it'll be cold that time of year as mid winter!

No the auusie ones are just as hard to get here sadly. They usually forget we are even here most of the time...unless it comes to skiing and then they flock en mass to the south island for cheaper better snow :-). Tasmania is where its at. There are two pilgrimages I'd love to make. Islay and Tasmania. Now whiskies...NZ is very embryonic but there is a bit of a resurgence happening. If you want to try something different you can try some of the 'progress statements' Thomsons Manuka Smoke stands out. Not going to be on your top 10 list but high points for uniqueness. They also carry older stock from the closed willowbank distillery. I think similar situation to the NZ Distillery the 21 which you have (I also have a bottle). I have the Thomsons 18. I tried it decades ago b4 I even drank whiskey and spirits and liked it so for nostalgia and the fact its almost extinct reasons it was one of my first purchases.

@PBMichiganWolverine thats the challenge, I guess. I do not expect to find a Sullivan's Cove in NZ, but you never know...

@Slainte-Mhath I thought the Sullivan’s Cove was next to impossible to find? Ironically, it was barely $50 and readily available until Jim Murray declared it “world’s best”. Honestly, in my opinion, see if you can get Overreem...much much better than Sullivan’s Cove, and easier to find

Completely off-topic, but anyway: Are there any whiskies from NZ which are worth a try? I only have South Island 21yo NZWC in my little list, but since I am visiting Auckland in July, I was wondering if there is anything you would recommend. And how about whiskies from Australia: any chance to get a Sullivans Cove in NZ? Thanks mate :)