Swept Away

While fishing at Ruapuke Beach earlier this month, Bas Radcliffe got caught by the waves. He recalls the initial moments of being pulled from the rocks. His first realization was that he was a significant distance away from where he started.

Radcliffe mentioned he remained composed, relying on his instincts. He believed his clothing was dragging him under. To alleviate this, he removed everything, from his gumboots and pants to his jacket and shirt, until he was left in only his underwear.

Battling the Elements

Radcliffe estimates he was carried approximately 100 meters from the shore. He attempted swimming, but the current proved too strong. He eventually lay on his back, gently paddling towards land. Ultimately, the waves slammed him against the rocks again.

“I remember fighting a fish, and then all of a sudden, I was 10m out by the time I had to come to terms with what happened.”

—Bas Radcliffe

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that over 4,000 people drown each year in the United States, emphasizing the need for continuous water safety vigilance (NOAA 2024).

Safety First

Radcliffe admitted he was imprudent to venture out in such hazardous weather. He provided advice, urging fellow fishers to take precautions, and if in doubt, not to go out. He emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets, regardless of appearance, as it could make a critical difference.

He suggested wearing lightweight, warm clothing and footwear that can be easily removed. Radcliffe warned against gumboots, as they fill with water, trapping the feet. Water Safety New Zealand highlighted the need to change the approach to life jackets for rock fishers.

Focus on Prevention

Bas Radcliffe was swept from the rocks into the sea while fishing at Ruapuke Beach in Waikato earlier this month.

They called for normalizing life jacket use, assessing conditions, and recognizing the limits of familiar locations to prevent loss of life. These measures are vital in high-risk areas like Papanui Point in Waikato and Auckland’s west coast beaches, where conditions can quickly worsen.

New Zealand Distillery Crafts Whisky in Rare Kauri Cask

A New Zealand distillery has created a whisky aged in a kauri cask, a rare feat given the wood’s scarcity and challenging properties. The resulting spirit is a unique expression of Kiwi craftsmanship, with a flavor profile that’s proving to be quite distinct.

The Kauri Challenge

In 2023, the company launched a native wood cask project, the first of which was a tōtara cask whisky. This inaugural whisky earned awards at several international competitions. Now, they’ve set their sights on a second: a kauri single-cask whisky. According to Johns, the kauri cask almost didn’t come to fruition.

Kauri is notoriously difficult to work with. It’s not just the difficulty in acquiring it. “It’s very brittle and snaps and breaks and cracks,” explained Johns.

The kauri cask is eye-catching, not only due to its small size, but also because: droplets of whisky have forced themselves through staves in several parts of the barrel. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer

A Cooper’s Expertise

The team obtained the kauri wood from a Te Kauwhata resident who had it stored for three decades. Mike Tawse, a cooper originally from Scotland, is believed to be the only person in New Zealand trained in the craft of barrel making.

Tawse described the kauri cask’s creation as “certainly been a challenge.” He added, “It was breaking as I was making it, but I just persevered. In the end, it was a bit smaller than I would have liked it to be, but I just had to say that’s good enough.”

Flavor Profile and Release

“It’s interesting on the nose, very rich and perfumy that you wouldn’t associate with whisky at all. But when we first tried it, it did have a dryness that wasn’t good,” said Johns.

He continued, “A year in, we randomly found it and tried it again and we thought oh wow, it’s actually good. It’s difficult to describe.”

According to Statista, the global whisky market is forecast to reach $78.97 billion in revenue in 2024. The demand for unique, small-batch whiskies like this is growing.

More Special Editions

The distillery is also set to launch a sauvignon blanc cask whisky in partnership with The Hunting Lodge Winery. This whisky matured entirely in a sauvignon blanc barrel. “You can really smell and taste the sauvignon blanc and those lovely citrus notes,” said Johns.

Johns stated that the kauri cask will be a limited release of approximately 100 bottles, available exclusively in New Zealand in July. The next native wood cask release, however, is estimated to be two years away.

Pōkeno Whisky continues native wood cask range, works to put New Zealand on whisky map — Pōkeno Whisky’s cooper Mike Tawse at work. Photo / Supplied

The company is also experimenting with tawa wood for future releases. Tawse noted that coopering is a unique, though physically demanding, trade.

Pōkeno Whisky is specialised in single malt whisky and is only producing this kind of whisky. Photo / Pōkeno Whisky Co

In addition to the kauri cask, the distillery recently restored a sherry cask, which was a collaboration with Michael Fraser Milne of Whisky Galore. This 100-year-old cask, named Solera La Ina Hogshead No. 121, adds another layer of historical significance to the distillery’s offerings.

Michael Fraser Milne of Christchurch whisky specialist store Whisky Galore.
Photo / supplied

The distillery, founded in 2017 by Johns and his wife, Celine, is open to visitors on Saturdays. The company is also present at Fieldays, where they recently launched their first Port Cask Whisky.

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