Copper pot stills are seen at the Diageo Roseisle distillery in Scotland March 20, 2014. Scotch whisky distillers are burning their unwanted grain byproducts, wood chips and other types of biomass for a source of energy in remote areas of the Highlands, w
Copper pot stills are seen at the Diageo Roseisle distillery in Scotland March 20, 2014. Scotch whisky distillers are burning their unwanted grain byproducts, wood chips and other types of biomass for a source of energy in remote areas of the Highlands, where gas links are scarce and fuel oil is pricey. The production of Scotch whisky has evolved over more than 500 years and is steeped in tradition. It is also a big business, generating 4 billion pounds ($6 billion) a year in exports - a quarter of all Britain's food and drink sales abroad. Photograph taken March 20, 2014. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

New Zealand is gaining fame as a great place for whisky manufacturing. The domestic company, The New Zealand Whisky, has earned the unique distinction of being the maker of world's first "25-year-old single malt" outside of Europe and Japan.

The company released just 484 bottles of the "25 Year Old" amidst heavy pre-order booking. It was distilled from New Zealand barley and processed at the Dunedin distillery. Boasting many fascinating notes of tropical fruits, butterscotch, orange peel and sea spray, it has been hailed as a new expression that aged in ex-Bourbon barrels at the Four Roses Distillery, reported Spirits Business.

Big Success

According to Greg Ramsay, CEO of New Zealand Whisky Company, it is grateful to the international support in giving the confidence to launch the 25-year-old drink. Greg Ramsay disclosed that the feedback has been very glowing. This also signals the coming of age in the whisky industry in New Zealand. The "25-year-old" whisky has been well meticulously packaged by the talent discovered from an international design competition. Greg Walko and Petra Kosik from Hungary used contemporary styling for packaging it.

London Contest

New Zealand Whisky has already made its name in various international contests. Its collection "DoubleWood" won the award for Best Australasian Blend in London. Its South Island Single Malt got the coveted award of DoubleGold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition. The brand is now exported worldwide and is available all across Canada, Europe, the U.K and Australia.

The New Zealand Whisky was also rated as one of the world's best by the top-selling International Whisky Guide, better known as the whisky bible. Its patron, Jim Murray, rates more than 4,500 tipples. But it is hard for brands to attain 94 points or above as Murray's parameters are stringent. Murray has created a special symbol, " Liquid Gold", for the elite whiskies, reported NZ Herald.

Liquid Gold Award

Murray rated New Zealand Whisky Company's flagship "21-year-old" South Island Single Malt with 95 points. In the latest Jim Murray's Whisky Bible, the brand has been placed in the most-coveted category. Murray called it a "proof that the country in which a whisky is made is irrelevant. Great whisky is always great whisky."