4 Year Old · Society Exclusive · Cask Strength

One more year. A deeper, silkier expression of our Society Barrel.

This whisky has been shaped by our Divergence Whisky Society from the very beginning.

In 2022, Society members voted to fill their exclusive barrel into an ex-Pinot Noir cask from Maude Vineyard in Wānaka. The cask was heavily charred to a No.4 “Alligator” char at our Christchurch distillery, before being filled with our medium-peated (31ppm) new make spirit at 62.5% Alc/vol.

The wash was brewed under contract at Wigram Brewery and double pot still distilled through our 500-litre copper pot still by Head Distiller Jack May at our Sandyford Street distillery in August 2022.

Last year, we released the first bottles from this cask at three years old. We deliberately left the remaining whisky to mature for another year.

Now, at four years old, the Society Barrel has taken another significant step forward.

The extra year in oak has brought greater depth and maturity, with a noticeably silkier texture and a more integrated balance between fruit, peat, coastal minerality and toasted oak. Still unmistakably the whisky Society members chose four years ago, but now richer, smoother and more complete.

Bottled at cask strength and available exclusively to Divergence Whisky Society members, this is the second chapter of a whisky we have been following together since the day it went into the barrel.

Tasting Notes

Nose
The nose opens with caramelised orchard fruits charred over an open fire, accompanied by the warm spice of rich toffee apples. As the dram breathes, an unmistakable coastal character emerges: fresh oyster shells, seared scallops and a whisper of ocean brine intertwine with a soft, lingering note of cured pipe tobacco.

Palate
Silky, viscous and full of depth. Waves of sweet, peat-smoked fruit coat the palate, giving way to chalky oyster minerality and a savoury richness. Aromatic fennel and bittersweet dark chocolate emerge through the mid-palate, bringing another layer of complexity to the peat.

Finish
Long, drying and beautifully structured. Toasted oak wraps around the remaining embers of burnt fruit and coastal savouriness, slowly drifting into a crisp, lingering spray of sea salt.

Society Member Pre-Order

As a thank you to our Divergence Whisky Society members, we are once again keeping this release at a special Society price of $160 per bottle.

Pre-orders close: Sunday, 23 August 2026
Shipping: Friday, 28 August 2026

Each bottle will be hand-numbered in the order we receive your orders and signed by Head Distiller Jack May.

A whisky chosen by the Society, matured for another year, and available only to the Society.

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