In the late 1960s, one of the most unusual whisky stories of the Southern Hemisphere began with the Willowbank distillery in Dunedin, on New Zealand's South Island. It initially produced only blends such as "Wilson's" and "45 South", before releasing New Zealand's first single malt, "Lammerlaw", in 1984. When Willowbank closed in 1997 and was demolished in 1999, the story appeared to be over - until the newly founded New Zealand Malt Whisky Company bought up the last remaining cask stocks and released them under the new name Milford between 2004 and 2012. With bottlings up to 21 years old and at cask strength, these bottles are today among the last surviving testimonies of a now completely vanished distillery.

Is Milford an active distillery?

No - Milford is the brand name under which the New Zealand Malt Whisky Company bottled the last remaining cask stocks of the already-closed and demolished Willowbank distillery in Dunedin between 2004 and 2012. There is no active distillery called Milford.

Why is New Zealand whisky so rare?

New Zealand has only a very short and patchy whisky history. With Willowbank's closure, the country's last active malt distillery effectively disappeared for decades, making Milford bottlings prized rarities of New Zealand whisky history today.

Flavour profile

Taste: Depending on maturation, ranging from fresh and grassy (younger bottlings) to full-bodied and spiced with ripe fruit (older vintages like 18 or 20 years) - an unusually distinctive character for the Southern Hemisphere.

Recommended enjoyment: For collectors and whisky historians seeking a piece of New Zealand's rare whisky history.

Facts and figures

Willowbank distillery opened late 1960s in Dunedin, New Zealand. First single malt "Lammerlaw" in 1984. Closed 1997, demolished 1999. Milford bottlings by the New Zealand Malt Whisky Company 2004-2012, including 10, 15, 18, 20 and 21 Year Old (cask strength).