106 | Exciting times for distillery Auld Farm Distillery uses nine different grains from the family farm to make its premium gin and whisky. BUSINESS Auld Farm Distillery T T Russell Fredric “By combining grain from our paddocks and pure water from our own spring in our on-site distillery, our whisky truly embodies our grain-toglass philosophy.” During the past year Auld Farm Distillery has marked some memorable milestones and there is more to come, co-owner Toni Auld says. “We are about to release our very first single malt whisky which is very exciting; it is the pivotal moment for a distillery.” One of the few grain-to-glass distilleries on the world, Auld Farm Distillery uses nine different grains from the family farm to make its premium gin and whisky. Toni and her husband Rob have been working long hours “day-in and day-out”, towards the upcoming release of their eight year-old single malt. Established in 2017, Auld Farm Distillery runs alongside their generational 200 hectare combined arable and livestock farm in Western Southland which, in terms of land area, comprises 75% wheat, barley and oats. Creating a future for themselves and their children were strong drivers in founding the business, especially because of the challenges of traditional farming, as well as the potential for creating jobs and helping their community. The distillery has grown into a multi award-winning business, proof that with passion, perseverance, and a bit of Kiwi ingenuity, anything is possible. “We know the origins and ingredients of our spirits because we grow, harvest and craft them ourselves. It’s about patience, curiosity and the desire to create a legacy for the future.” “By combining grain from our paddocks and pure water from our own spring in our on-site distillery, our whisky truly embodies our grainto-glass philosophy. Mid-last year the distillery launched a tasting room and bar, along with releasing New Zealand’s first single-grain oat “breakfast” whisky, a limited edition in a 200ml boxed collector’s edition set. The whisky is described by Rob as showing caramel, vanilla and brown sugar notes and honours the humble grain’s significance to Southland which has close connections to the oat’s motherland, as well as being a nod to the family’s heritage on the farm. In the early days, Scottish distillers often used oats alongside some barley to create unique and flavourful whiskies, Rob says. “This whisky from 2017 Harvest Oats is our first bottling of whisky, an expression of our oldest grain grown on farm as a ‘progress report’ to share with as our whisky stock matures closer to the 2025 full release.” “We released this whisky to mark the centenary of the farm, 100 years since my grandad Bert settled on the block of land we call home. Oats have been grown on farm since 1883.” On farm distillery’s, oats were favoured for their availability and to be able to ‘borrow’ some horse feed for whisky along with the distinctive taste they impart to the spirit. However, as whisky production evolved, the use of oats declined, overshadowed by a greater volume of whisky from barley and other grains. Rob and Toni are part of a resurgence of interest in innovating oat whisky, further exploring its potential to bring back its rich, historical flavours, with last year’s release being a harbinger for Auld Farm Distillery’s impending release of its single malt whisky. Auld Farm Distillery was a finalist in the 2023 biennial Southland Business Excellence awards Powernet New and Emerging category while Rob and Toni were nominated for the Meridian Energy One to Watch award. For Broadband Anywhere, Talk To Us! Fast Reliable Broadband · Kiwi Customer Support · No Contracts 0800 638 773 netspeed.net.nz NetSpeed is proudly supporting Auld Distillery Netspeed provides fast, efficient and affordable home phone and broadband packages available throughout New Zealand in rural and city areas, mobile homes, caravans, baches and almost anywhere else you can think of! We’re ENTIRELY New Zealand based with no contracts to tie you in. Proudly supporting Auld Distillery Liquorland Centrepoint - 252 Dee St, Invercargill | 03 211 3650 Contact Tere Ngu - 022 029 8579 Centrepoint
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