Reefton’s New Gold

Hot on the heels of their Gold and Best in Category wins at the World Whiskies Awards 2025, Reefton Distilling Co. have announced the details around the release of the very first bottling of their Moonlight Creek Single Malt New Zealand Whisky.

Making this announcement on the opening day of DramFest, New Zealand's Premier Whisky Festival, was no coincidence as the Reefton Distilling Co. team were in attendance at the event over the three days from 28 February to 2 March.

Dramfest Ticket Holders had the opportunity to meet Distillery Manager, Gareth Morgan and Founder and Chief Executive, Patsy Bass. They also had the chance to enjoy a tasting of their 2 year aged Moonlight Creek Whisky and their Olorosso aged young spirit.

Reefton’s new gold

DramFest attendees also learned how to stake their claim on Reefton’s new gold, with the first release of Moonlight Creek Whisky planned for late 2025.

Hand distilled, matured and bottled in Reefton, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Moonlight Creek Whisky is crafted from high quality malted barley (grown in nearby Canterbury) and pristine West Coast rainwater which is filtered over Pounamu. Reefton Distilling Co.’s first whisky will be limited to just 1000 bottles.

This first release of Moonlight Creek Single Malt Whisky will have rested at the foot of the majestic Victoria and Paparoa ranges for 3 years before emerging into the hands of those fortunate enough to have secured a bottle by ballot.

A Pioneer’s spirit

This is a much-anticipated release from one of New Zealand’s largest independent distilleries, who have already made a name for themselves on the world stage with their international award-winning Little Biddy Gin.

Reefton Distilling Co. have put as much thought into the presentation of their whisky as they have into its making. This release of Moonlight Creek Single Malt Whisky will be in a stunning clear bespoke bottle – allowing the natural colour of the whisky to shine through.

Non-chill filtered, with all natural colour and flavour, this first release Moonlight Creek Single Malt Whisky will bear the name ‘Pioneer’.

This is a nod to both the pioneering spirit of those early settlers, including George Fairweather Moonlight, who first discovered gold at Moonlight Creek in 1865, and that of the modern day pioneers who, in 2018, backed the idea of a gutsy little West Coast distillery to create jobs and a tourist attraction in a small regional town.

Moonlight Creek Whisky Ballot

Reefton Distilling Co. shareholders will have an opportunity to make a pre-purchase in March 2025. All remaining bottles will then go into the Moonlight Creek Whisky Ballot, which will open late-2025. The purchase of this special bottling will be limited to one bottle per household.

When asked about the decision to use a ballot system for whisky sales, Reefton Distilling Co. Founder and Chief Executive, Patsy Bass said, “We made the decision to use a ballot system for our limited release to ensure that our supporters have an equal opportunity to own a bottle of what we anticipate will become a collector’s item.” Patsy added, “Using a ballot is secure and fair, and we envisage using the same system for our future releases.”

It will be late 2025 before Reefton Distilling Co. have their first whisky in bottle, with the decision on the final date being made as soon as their internationally renowned whisky panel deem it meets the desired quality and profile.

Further details on the ballot will go out to all those who have signed up to receive more information via www.reeftondistillingco.com throughout the year. All entrants to the ballot will be notified if they are successful or unsuccessful by email once the ballot has closed, with those lucky enough to have secured a bottle then receiving their purchase in time for Christmas.