When you think of New Zealand’s vibrant drink scene, what comes to mind? Probably world-class Sauvignon Blanc, exquisite Pinot Noir, or perhaps a craft beer. Bourbon? Not so much. Yet, an American visionary, Zach Gustafson, spotted a unique opportunity to blend the best of both worlds, bringing a sophisticated, New Zealand-finished bourbon to discerning palates.
From Indiana to Hawke’s Bay: A Bourbon’s Journey
Two years ago, when Zach arrived in Hawke’s Bay with his family, he noticed a striking gap on local shelves: a lack of premium bourbon options. “In New Zealand, bourbon has a negative connotation, commonly associated with RTDs and bourbon cokes,” he observed. Rather than lament the limited offerings, Zach decided to do something truly groundbreaking.
He teamed up with Daniel Brennan, the owner of Decibel Wines, to embark on an ambitious project: creating what they proudly claim is the only whiskey bottled right here in Hawke’s Bay. The fruit of their collaboration? Nowhere Bourbon.
The Pinot Noir Barrel Secret
The journey of Nowhere Bourbon begins in Indiana, USA, where it’s distilled and aged, developing those classic caramel notes that bourbon lovers expect. But this is where the ordinary ends and the extraordinary begins. Once it reaches New Zealand shores, this exceptional spirit undergoes a transformative finishing process in hand-selected Pinot Noir barrels in Hastings, before being bottled in Napier.
“Kiwis love their pinot,” Zach explains, “and so we wanted to create something that tailored to the New Zealand taste.” This innovative finishing technique infuses the bourbon with the nuanced dark fruit complexities from the Pinot Noir, creating a remarkably smooth, easy-sipping whiskey that truly stands apart.
Breaking the Mold and Changing Perceptions
Launching a premium bourbon in a market where the spirit often carries a stigma was undeniably a risk. “Sometimes, when something isn’t common, there’s a reason,” Zach admits, acknowledging the challenge of building a new market, especially amidst economic uncertainties. However, the response to Nowhere Bourbon has been overwhelmingly positive.
Zach recounts interactions at whiskey festivals: “People say, ‘I’m a single-malt drinker, I don’t like bourbon’. Then they try ours and go, ‘Maybe I do like bourbon’… So, it’s just that they are not drinking the right ones.” This feedback is a testament to the unique quality and appeal of Nowhere Bourbon, which offers a delightful surprise for both seasoned whiskey enthusiasts and newcomers.
For first-time drinkers, Zach hopes for a simple yet profound reaction: “A bit of surprise that it is a bourbon that they really like.” He describes the flavor profile beautifully: “The original bourbon gives it a little bit of vanilla-and-cinnamon type of flavours, and then the wine barrels give it some of that dark fruit. So, it ends up being a very smooth, easy-sipping whiskey.”
Experience Nowhere Bourbon
Nowhere Bourbon, with its distinctive Hawke’s Bay finish, is available online and through selected liquor stores, bars, and restaurants across New Zealand. Priced at $120 for a 700ml bottle, this limited release (about 300 bottles were initially released in October) is an invitation to explore a new dimension of bourbon – one that’s proudly crafted with a Kiwi heart.
Source: Original Article
