SPIRITS NEWS
Reefton counts down to first whisky release REEFTON DISTILLING Co. has announced details around the release of the first bottling of its Moonlight Creek Single Malt New Zealand Whisky. The first release is planned for late 2025 and will be limited to 1,000 bottles. Hand-distilled, matured and bottled in Reefton, the whisky was crafted using high quality malted Canterbury barley and West Coast rainwater filtered over pounamu and aged three years. The whisky, which will be presented in a clear bespoke bottle to showcase its natural colour, will be named ‘Pioneer’ in reference to the early settlers (including
Reefton Distillery Manager Gareth Morgan and Polly Logan
George Fairweather Moonlight) who first discovered gold at Moonlight Creek in 1865, and the “modern day pioneers” who supported the idea of a West Coast distillery in 2018. The decision on the final release date will be made as soon as the distillery’s independent whisky panel deems it
meets the desired quality and profile. The panel comprises highly regarded whisky specialists, from both the southern and northern hemispheres, who provide oversight and advice on Moonlight Creek whisky. In March, one of these specialists, Scotch whisky maker Polly Logan, visited the distillery to work alongside the Reefton Distilling Co. team as they selected casks for the first release. Logan has worked exclusively in the distilling industry, leading production at some of Scotland’s biggest whisky names including Tomatin and Diageo (Benrinnes, Knockando, and Glen Spey distilleries) before moving to The Macallan as Whisky Maker. In 2023, she took up the position of Distillery Manager at Tormore Distillery in Speyside, where she oversees the production of Tormore’s new whisky portfolio. Reefton Distilling Co. shareholders had the opportunity to pre-purchase a bottle of Moonlight Creek Whisky in March and all remaining bottles will go into a ballot, which will open later in 2025. reeftondistillingco.com
SHOWCASE
Humdinger opens new distillery and cellar door CANTERBURY CRAFT distillery Humdinger has opened a new cellar door and distillery in its hometown of Geraldine as the business looks to the future. Andrew and Saskia Lewis launched Humdinger in 2020 and say that the extra space in the new corner site on Geraldine’s main street is opening up more opportunities for the growing brand. They will start exploring export markets, as well as continuing to supply the offpremise, on-premise, duty free, online, and cellar door sales channels. The new site is also assisting with more sustainable production of their awardwinning gins. “More space has given us more flexibility and efficiency with what we make,” says Andrew, “ and it has also enabled us to install a new water reuse system.”
80 DRINKSBIZ MAY / JUNE 2025
Sloe Gin joins signature range
Andrew and Saskia’s sloe orchard, one of the first in New Zealand, is now well established and producing enough sloes to make Humdinger Sloe Gin part of their signature range. It was also the top-scoring Sloe Gin internationally at the 2024 London Spirits Awards, supporting its Gold Medals in the 2023 Junipers and 2023 NZ Artisan Awards. Humdinger’s original signature gins remain hugely popular too. The Citrus Gin, made using Gisborne oranges and lemons, is known for its bright orange and lemon opening and warm ginger finish, and won Gold in the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards. Humdinger Dry Gin won Gold in the 2021 NZ Spirits Awards and 2024 Dish Magazine Tasting Panel and continues to
use Canterbury barley for its rich, fullbodied mouthfeel. A new winter release
Humdinger is planning a special winter gin as part of its seasonal releases that hero New Zealand botanicals. “Our new Humdinger Pekapeka Gin will use local horopito and $1 from every bottle sold will go towards planting new horopito trees in the recently milled Pekapeka gully that sits in the heart of Geraldine,” says Andrew. “It’s a way of saying ‘thank you’ to the locals who have supported us and helped enable us to grow into our new site.” For distributor details visit humdinger.nz/pages/stockists or email andrew@humdinger.nz