Thomson full noise | Whisky Lady

What’s great about whisky shows is the opportunity to discover something new! Something one would otherwise never get a chance to try. This is how we were introduced to a new entrant – Thomson – from New Zealand at the 2024 London Whisky Show.

Here is what they have to say for themselves:

Our single malt whiskies are made using just three ingredients: water, yeast and malted barley. They’re aged in a range of casks, including ex-bourbon barrels, New Zealand wine casks and some miniatures. The smoke comes from native Manuka wood and South Island Peat. Our copper pot stills are an essential component in the distillation process, refining the spirit.

We are creating a new New Zealand whisky, not a copy of whiskies seen elsewhere in the world. Our whiskies are a living response to our unique, natural environment, local know-how and an honesty about being a young distillery. We’re not replicating other recipes but helping to define what New Zealand whisky is, brand new.

We began our journey with their notable experiment with Manuka smoke…

Manuka Wood Smoke Single Malt 46% $135 NZD

We were greeted by young wood – wet cedar or pine. It was quite distinctive with a subtle curl of smoke admist the sweet wood. The palate had a slightly oily texture, very unique and tricky to describe. There were sweet spices of cinnamon too. Really rather interesting.

South Island Peat Single Malt 46% $135 NZD

If the Manuka Smoke was a puff of smoke, the South Island Peat was a slightly heavier smoke – more a nudge of peat than full-on! It was also quite different, soft and sweet on the palate, limited finish. Overall again – unique and worth checking out perhaps in a different setting than a mere sniff and swish!

Full Noise Manuka Smoke Single Malt Cask Strength 55.3%

Here we discovered the pine had shifted into resin. The palate was crisp and dry. We found an intensity that was missing in the 46%, the smoke more prominent, and the toffee sweetness amped up, joining dry toast. Once again – the folks at Thomson are clearly taking their own approach to whisky-making.

Worth a stop and curious to see where they go next…

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