Cardrona Distillery makes exquisite handcrafted single malt whisky, gin, vodka and liqueurs in Central Otago’s stunning Cardrona valley. Located half-way between Wanaka and Queenstown and turning local ingredients into tasty spirits, it is an intriguing place to visit.

Founded in 2015 and sitting amidst an area of outstanding natural beauty, the distillery is family owned and operated. The very best equipment was sourced from all over the world to allow the creation of the finest spirits. This equipment is now used to combine alpine water from the heart of Mount Cardrona and locally foraged seasonal ingredients to produce an unparalleled signature taste.

In May 2013, distillery founder Desiree Reid-Whitaker sold her farming business to move to Wanaka, ultimately finding the distillery site at Cardrona. On 23 October 2015, the spirit flowed for the first time and on 5 November, the first cask was laid.

Desiree had a dream of making a New Zealand single malt whisky that would stand tall on the international stage. She travelled for two and a half years, learning from the world’s masters, including the former head of Maker’s Mark. And the technical know-how and marketing insight needed to build Cardrona Distillery was gained in trips back to Scotland and through the United States.

Learn more about the distilling process and Desiree’s story when you visit this interesting distillery.‍