Selling a range of specialty New Zealand whiskies in an intimate space, Cellar Door offers the opportunity to buy, and try, scotch from one of the country’s oldest distilleries. Distilling in New Zealand began in 1838 by early Scottish settlers and the industry continued to thrive (particularly in the Otago region) until the 1870s when the government put an end to many distilleries.
The NZ Malt Whisky Company was formed in 2000, acquiring the last 600 barrels of matured whisky (mainly Lammerlaw malt) from an old Dunedin distillery. The whisky has been maturing on the second floor of an old wool and grain warehouse ever since.
At Cellar Door you can partake in a tasting session of the whiskies and take home a bottle for yourself. The heavily wooden featured shop is filled with old barrels and books dedicated to the craft and whisky, of course. Take a seat by the window and watch the Victorian world of Oamaru go by.