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Pokeno Single Malt wins Master Medal at Whiskey Oscars

• Thursday, August 07, 2025

You know the ice cream. You know the bacon. But do you know the distillery?

New Zealand’s biggest single malt distillery has already been awarded ‘Best In Class' and ‘World’s Best Other Single Malt’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (aka the Whisky Oscars), and just scored a Master medal at The World Whisky Masters.

Bottled at a lush 48.2% ABV, the flavour alone will thaw your winter-chilled bones: layers of stewed plum and toffee apple, flurries of bright fruit with cinnamon, and swirls of dark, raisiny chocolate to finish.

A family-owned and operated distillery situated in the misty valley of the North Island’s beautiful Waikato region, these folks are serious about making outstanding liquid.

It’s no surprise, though, because Pōkeno’s founder Matt Johns is a Scotch whisky veteran who’s been in the industry for 30 years now, with ex-Glenmorangie and Tullibardine experience. His vision of creating Speyside-style Scotch in NZ is a triumph. The first-fill casks have been expertly married for a beautifully balanced, weighty winter dram, non-chill filtered and with no colour added.

Take a closer look at their story here.