Willowbank 26 Years Old 1987

This rare single malt from the closed Willowbank Distillery hails from a single cask laid down in 1987 and matured for 26 years under watchful Scottish-style craftsmanship, bottled in 2013 at a robust cask strength of 54.5% ABV. Released under the label “Touch.Pause.Enjoy”, this dram pays homage to a milestone moment in New Zealand’s history — the All Blacks’ victory in the inaugural Rugby World Cup of 1987, borrowing from the referee’s traditional commands during a scrum. Bottled by the New Zealand Malt Whisky Company (aka New Zealand Whisky Collection), this edition comes from the dwindling stocks of Willowbank — a distillery which ceased operations in 1997 and whose rare remaining casks are highly prized. Expect a whisky rich in character and age: oak influence, deep malt tones, with hints of honey, warm fruit, subtle spice, and a finish that lingers with complexity and maturity.