Have you ever tried New Zealand whisky? If not, let me introduce you to Pōkeno. Prior to discovering this brand, I had no idea there was a whisky brand from New Zealand. I had the chance to sample two of their offerings, their Origin Single Malt and their Discovery Single Malt Whisky. The big question is, are they any good? To find out, keep reading.

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Origin

Nose: light sweetness and citrus

Palate: toffee, honey and lightly sweet

Finish: creamy with notes of toffee

Cost: $60-$80

ABV: 43%

This expression offers a smooth and slightly sweeter profile. Personally, I found it to be a touch too sweet, but the creamy texture and subtle citrus notes helped to provide some balance.

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Discovery

Nose: sweetness and sherry

Palate: chocolate, citrus and cherries

Finish: lightly sweet and smooth

Cost: $60-$80

ABV: 43%

Out of the two, I prefer this expression. The chocolate notes are quite delightful and balance well with the flavors of cherries and citrus. It’s not as sweet as the first one and it is a bit smoother.

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I believe these whiskies serve as a good introduction to the brand, and they are certainly easy to drink. However, they didn’t have a ‘wow’ factor for me. While they are not terrible, they also didn’t stand out. I think people who appreciate whiskies with a sweeter profile will really enjoy these. This whisky is also a great option for those seeking to explore whiskies beyond those made in the US, Scotland and Japan.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.