New Zealand Whisky and Kavalan Sherry and Port Casks

It's a world whisky week, asKavalan's Sherry and Port Series launchesin the U.S. and the New Zealand Whisky Companyis hitting the U.S. for the first time. Read on for details.

Dunedin 16 year old DoubleWood

Style: Blended whiskyOrigin: New ZealandProof: 40% ABVPrice: $85 (375ml.)Release: May 2017Availability: Major U.S. markets

High Wheeler 21 year old Single Grain

Style: Single grainOrigin: New ZealandProof: 43% ABVPrice: $95 (375ml.)Release: May 2017Availability: Major U.S. markets

The Oamaruvian 16 year old Cask Strength DoubleWood

Style: Blended whiskyOrigin: New ZealandProof: 58.4% ABVPrice: $115 (375ml.)Release: May 2017Availability: Major U.S. markets

South Island 25 year old Single Malt

Style: Single maltOrigin: New ZealandProof: 40% ABVPrice: $230Release: March 2017Availability: Major U.S. markets

Need to know:

Greg Ramsay started the New Zealand Whisky Company in 2010 (and we reviewed some of its whiskies back in 2012). These aged whiskies all come from stocks that had been made at Willowbank distillery in Dunedin (South Island). The site was mothballed in 1997, and Ramsay moved the 443 barrels he bought to a warehouse in Oamaru, about 70 miles north of Dunedin.

Whisky Advocate says:

Who can remember the last time New Zealand whiskies were available in the U.S.? (Were they ever?) Even priced as they are in half-size bottles, these are sure to sell out quickly due to sheer novelty, if nothing else.

Kavalan Amontillado Sherry Cask

Style: Single malt whiskyOrigin: TaiwanProof: 50-60% ABVPrice: $599Release: April 2017Availability: Limited

Kavalan Manzanilla Sherry Cask

Style: Single malt whiskyOrigin: TaiwanProof: 50-60% ABVPrice: $599Release: April 2017Availability: Limited

Kavalan Moscatel Sherry Cask

Style: Single malt whiskyOrigin: TaiwanProof: 50-60% ABVPrice: $599Release: April 2017Availability: Limited

Kavalan PX Sherry Cask

Style: Single malt whiskyOrigin: TaiwanProof: 50-60% ABVPrice: $699Release: April 2017Availability: Limited

Kavalan Port Cask

Style: Single malt whiskyOrigin: TaiwanProof: 50-60% ABVPrice: $299Release: April 2017Availability: Limited

Need to know:

This collection explores different types of sherry casks (and a port cask) that can be used to finish whisky. Each bottling is single cask, so the ABV will vary depending on which bottle you get.

Whisky Advocate says:

Sherry is a diverse wine, ranging from bone dry and delicate to sweet and syrupy. Different types of sherry undergo different aging processes, and both of these factors impact the cask—which might then go on to influence a whisky. Although it would be pricy to get ahold of one of each of these bottles, it would be a great opportunity to experience the diversity of flavor impact sherry has on the same whisky. And it's worth noting that two of these whiskies—the Amontillado and the Moscatel—scored in the Top 10 of our Spring 2017 Buying Guide.