Our Ethos

At 1919 Distilling our goal is to make premium whisky from Auckland, New Zealand. Our custom 1800L copper pot still is made onsite, and we source all our grain locally to create our signature flavour. Maturation is key to our process, with our new make left to rest in our bond store, exposed to the ever-changing pressure and temperature of Auckland's wild weather. Our whisky could only be made in New Zealand, as the climate and terroir help to create a flavour that is truly unique. Discover the taste of New Zealand whisky with 1919 Distilling.

Yeast

Yeast isn’t something thats often talked about in whisky making for right or wrong. Our goal is to break that trend as its one of the three ingredients in our single malt, along with barley and water. We use a distillers yeast specially formulated for malt whiskeys we believe this help lends to the sweet flavour profile with hints of green apple.

Barley

Looking for a premium whisky that's made with the finest ingredients? Look no further than our core release whisky, set to hit shelves in 2024! Made with 100% two-row barley, our whisky features Distillers Malt for a smooth and delicious taste that's hard to beat. At 1919 Distilling, we take pride in working alongside Marton Malting to source the best barley from both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. By carefully selecting one type of malted barley to work with, we're able to control our new make profile and let the spirit shine. Whether you're a whisky enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of premium spirits, our core release whisky is sure to impress. Join out mailing list to ensure you have priority access.

Ferment

At 1919 Distilling, we believe that fermentation is the key to crafting exceptional whisky. That's why we take great care to ensure that all of our ferments are temperature-controlled, never exceeding 28°C, to maintain the health of our yeasts. By fermenting for an average of 48-72 hours, we can maintain the integrity of our yeasts and prevent any unwanted flavor development from bacteria, similar to the process used in sour beer. The result? A light and clear sweet wort that's perfect for creating our signature whiskies. Whether you're a seasoned whisky connoisseur or new to the world of premium spirits, you'll taste the difference that our careful fermentation process makes in every sip. Order now and experience the best that 1919 Distilling has to offer!

BarreL

Don't believe the misconception that small, craft distilleries can't get their hands on top-quality barrels - at 1919 Distilling, we're proud to source our barrels directly from Brown-Forman. We use only the best first-fill A grade barrels to protect the integrity of our spirit and ensure the highest quality in every bottle. Before being filled, each barrel is meticulously hand-checked and coopered as needed to ensure the best possible aging process. Whether you're a whisky enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of premium spirits, you'll taste the difference that our commitment to quality makes in every sip.

Limited EDITION RELEASES

1919 FOUNDERS CLUB - Sold Out

The Founders' Club is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a 700ml limited edition bottle of 1919 Distilling Founders whisky every year for the next 5 years - exclusively drawn from the first casks 190L Cask ever produced by 1919 Distilling. The Founders' Club is a journey of maturation so you can enjoy how 1919 Distilling’s spirit evolves into a character filled Malt Whisky. As part of the collection, you also benefit from a number of other opportunities such as free tours for life, early access to new product launches and invitations to distillery events. 1919 Founders Club is strictly limited

Whisky Production Plan:

• Welcome pack, Certificates & 500ml Bottle of 1919 Distilling Kirikiriroa Release. (Bronze Award NZ Spirit Awards 2020 - Gold Drammys 2021)

• Bottle 1 (Deliver Sep 2021) - 700ml whisky, plus 2 x 50ml, aged 1 year.

• Bottle 2 (Deliver Sep 2022) - 700ml whisky, plus 2 x 50ml, aged 2 years.

• Bottle 3 (Deliver Sep 2023) - 700ml whisky, plus 2 x 50ml, aged 3 years.

• Bottle 4 (Deliver Sep 2024) - 700ml whisky, plus 2 x 50ml, aged 4 years.

• Bottle 5 (Deliver Sep 2025) - 700ml whisky, plus 2 x 50ml, aged 5 years.

• Bottles 1 - 5 will be limited edition bottles and will only be made available to members of the “Founders club”.

Update: Please note Unpeated cask / bottles will ship each December

Barrel Plan: It’s common knowledge quality barrels are paramount in creating exceptional whisky, that’s why we have secured ex Woodford Reserve & Jack Daniels Bourbon barrels to age our whisky in, each barrel has been inspected by our master distiller prior to selection.

The Mash: We have installed our own 2000L Mash tun to create our mash, this allows us to maintain totally control from start to finish. We will be creating two mash bills for you to choose from:

Mash Bill 1) Will use Gladfields two row barley as the base and complementing it with Gladfields Supernova Malt lending to Lightly toasty, warm biscuit flavours and caramels.

Mash Bill 2) Will use Gladfields two row barley as the base and complementing it with Gladfields Peat Malt lending to Earthy, subtle leather aromas with hints of smoke.

Distillery Accolades: 1919 Distilling has won multiple awards both in New Zealand and overseas for their current products. Including Bronze in the New Zealand Spirit Awards for our Kirikiriroa Release.

Our Head Distiller Soren Crabb has spent the last three years working on mash built R&D in order to insure the very best whisky is produced.

Conditions: 1 upfront payment of $1360 or 6 monthly payments of $250.

No refunds available, so please consider before purchasing. If choosing monthly payments welcome pack will not be shipped until after the second payment.