Heart Cut marks birthday with ‘world first’ bottlings
To celebrate its second birthday, The Heart Cut has become the first to independently bottle and distribute whiskies from New Zealand outside of their home country.
The launch marks the 18th and 19th releases from The Spirits Business Awards-nominated bottler, which was founded by husband-and-wife duo Fabrizio Leoni and Georgie Bell.
For bottlings #18 and #19, the pair turned to New Zealand, working directly with Thomson Distillery, located in Riverhead just outside of Auckland, to bottle two whiskies that capture the brand’s ‘ingenuity, independence, and sense of place’.
Release #18 is described as ‘a smoky bonfire on the beach’. Instead of peat, Thomson’s malt is smoked with native manuka wood – better known for its honey – which in turn creates a resinous, herbal smoke layered with bright citrus and tropical fruit. This ageing technique was pioneered by distillery co-founder Mathew Thomson.
The whisky was matured in an ex-Bourbon cask, and has a limited run of 270 bottles. Key tasting notes include charred wood, pineapple chews, sherbet lemons, barley sugar, and nectarines.
Meanwhile for #19, inspiration was taken from New Zealand’s winemaking heritage, having been matured in a fresh, wine-soaked Pinot Noir cask from Westbrook Winery in Waimauku. This cask was sourced directly from winemaker and judge James Rowan, and has produced a whisky that is said to be decadent with bursts of red fruits and sweet spice, with key tasting notes including spiced plum jam, wild strawberries, dried cherries, salted caramel, and figs. Only 412 bottles are available.
“Marking our second birthday with these releases feels particularly special,” said Bell. “In just two years, we’ve partnered with 16 distilleries across 10 countries, each collaboration giving us the chance to share a whisky that speaks of its landscape and people. Thomson embodies that spirit completely, and we’re proud to share their story with drinkers on this side of the world.”
Rachael Thomson, co-founder of Thomson Whisky, said: “Working with The Heart Cut on these bottlings felt like a natural fit. From the very beginning, our goal has been to create a whisky that tastes of home – from manuka smoke to fresh New Zealand wine casks – and one with a quality that stands tall on the world’s stage.
“This project is also hugely significant to us as it represents a world first for New Zealand whisky distilleries. With these bottlings, Thomson Whisky is the first New Zealand whisky to be released in an independent bottling outside of New Zealand. Partnering with The Heart Cut helps us share our story more widely, and further put New Zealand whisky on the world map.”
The Heart Cut #18 Thomson has an RRP £71 (US$97), and clocks in at 50.8% ABV, while #19 Thomson is offered at RRP £66 (US$90) and has an ABV of 51.5%. Both are available now exclusively at www.theheartcut.com. Distribution is UK only.
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