New Zealand is not the first country that comes to mind when you think of single malt whisky, and that's precisely what makes Pokeno interesting. The Winter Malt, released as part of their Exploration Series, arrives at a confident 48% ABV — a bottling strength that signals intent. At £78.95, it sits in competitive territory against established world whisky producers, so the question becomes straightforward: does it earn its place on the shelf?
Pokeno, based in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island, is part of a small but growing wave of Southern Hemisphere distillers making genuine single malt. The Winter Malt designation suggests a seasonal or climate-influenced production run, and the Exploration Series framing tells you the distillery is still finding its voice — experimenting with what their spirit can become. For a whisky enthusiast, that's not a weakness. That's an invitation.
What to Expect
Without a stated age, this is a NAS release, which in the context of a young distillery is entirely expected. What matters here is whether the spirit has character, and at 48% you're getting something with enough structure to tell you what it's about. Single malts from warmer climates tend to mature faster than their Scottish counterparts — the angel's share works overtime when temperatures swing — so don't let the lack of an age statement put you off. The higher bottling strength is a good sign that the distillery isn't hiding behind heavy dilution.
The Winter Malt name suggests a richer, more full-bodied profile than a summer or standard release might deliver. For those of us who spend most of our time with Speyside and Highland malts, New Zealand single malt offers a genuine point of difference — similar grain, different terroir, different water, different air. The result is whisky that can feel both familiar and foreign in the same glass.
The Verdict
I came to this bottle with curiosity rather than expectation, and it rewarded that approach. At 7.8 out of 10, the Pokeno Winter Malt earns a solid recommendation — not because it competes directly with a 15-year-old Speyside at the same price, but because it offers something those whiskies cannot. It has personality. It has ambition. And at 48%, it has the courage to let you taste what's actually in the bottle rather than what's been engineered out of it.
£78.95 is fair money for a well-made single malt from a distillery that clearly cares about its craft. If you're the kind of drinker who has worked through the Scottish regions, dipped into Japanese whisky, and now wants to understand what the rest of the world is doing with malted barley and oak, this is exactly where you should be looking. The Exploration Series is aptly named — this is whisky for people who still want to explore.
Best Served
Neat, at room temperature, with a few drops of water after your first pour. The 48% ABV can handle the dilution without falling apart, and a splash will open up whatever the spirit is holding back. Give it ten minutes in the glass before you make up your mind. This is not a whisky to rush.
