World Whiskey Tour Vol. 2

Alright, grab your glass and settle into the front row because this is a show you definitely won't want to miss. Pee breaks? Those are for quitters!  Don't know the lyrics? Let's teach you right now:

First up on the stage, straight out of New Zealand, we’ve got Pōkeno Single Malt Whisky. Pōkeno Discovery captures the pure spirit of Aotearoa. Here, parcels of Pōkeno whisky, fully matured in first-fill Bourbon, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximenez casks, are vatted or married together to create the beautiful harmony found in the glass. Smooth riffs of Black Forest Gateau, dark chocolate, and ripe cherries collide with spicy cinnamon vibes and an epic finish that screams for an encore. Pōkeno doesn't just hop on stage—it owns it.

Next, waving the flag for Yorkshire, Filey Bay Flagship Single Malt takes the mic with its sweet, fruity sound. This whisky is a homegrown anthem, handcrafted from field to bottle using 100% local barley and spring water, it’s light, fruity, and effortlessly easy to enjoy. Notes of citrus, caramel, and honey blend harmoniously with a touch of creamy vanilla. This one’s not just made in Yorkshire; it’s made of Yorkshire.

And now for the final act—an Irish icon with over a century of star power: Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey. Triple-distilled and aged in American oak casks for up to seven years, it boasts a rich, honey-like sweetness intertwined with a bold, spicy character that turns every sip into a show-stopping moment. It's a true classic that helped write the playbook on Irish whiskey greatness.

Let the touring begin!
 

Smartass Corner

1. Whisky or whiskey? The spelling differs geographically. In Scotland, Japan, Australia, and some other parts of the world, distilleries usually spell it whisky; in Ireland and the USA, they spell it whiskey.

2. Whisky-making in New Zealand dates back to the 1830s, introduced by Scottish settlers. After a long hiatus, the industry is thriving again, with 19 active distilleries across the country today.

3. "Aotearoa," meaning "land of the long white cloud," is the Māori name for New Zealand. It originally referred only to the North Island, with the South called "Te Waipounamu." Together, they formed "Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu."

4. Māori oral tradition links Aotearoa’s name to early Polynesian navigators. They followed cloud formations to discover the islands, with the long, white clouds acting as nature’s guiding signpost across the seas.

5. Filey Bay stands out thanks to its Forsyth pot stills, some of the largest you'll find outside Scotland, and a unique four-plate copper column. This creative setup puts a fresh spin on classic whisky-making traditions.

6. Did you know England now has over 40 active distilleries? They’re all about creativity and innovation! Unlike Scotland’s more traditional approach, English distillers are shaking things up by experimenting with different grains, cask types, and distillation methods to create fresh, modern whiskies.

7. Powers was one of the first distilleries in the world — and the very first in Ireland — to start bottling their own spirit in 1886. Up until then, whiskey was sold by the cask. They placed a gold label on each bottle they produced, thus "Powers Gold Label" became the core product of their range.