Plans approved for New Zealand whisky distillery

Plans for a new whisky distillery, museum and perfumery have been given the go-ahead in New Zealand’s South Island.

First stage plans have been granted for a new whisky distillery in New Zealand’s South Island

According to The Southland Times, commissioners have granted the Zescent Group resource consent to build the Cardrona Distillery and Museum in Cardrona Valley, near Queenstown.

The group must now apply for building consent before the distillery can become operational as planned by next year.

If building permission is granted, the distillery plans to release a 10-year-old “Speyside-style” single malt by the mid-2020s, while other spirits including vodka and liqueurs will be available at an earlier date.

Desiree Reid, owner of Zescent Group, said that the whisky will be made using malted barley sourced from Canterbury and then aged in Bourbon and Sherry casks.

“The wood is incredibly important. I’ve found a beautiful source of ex-bourbon casks from a small distillery in the United States,” Reid told The Southland Times. “I really want to get some sherry casks, that’s a work in progress.”

Stills for the distillery will be purchased from Scotland’s Forsyths of Rothes, which has provided stills for Glenfiddich, The Macallan and The Glenlivet.

One of the stills at the distillery will also create natural rose perfume from Damascena rose petals.