New Zealand’s Cardrona Distillery, maker of single malt whisky, announced Hotaling & Co. as its exclusive U.S. importer. 

This partnership marks a significant milestone as Cardrona looks to expand its presence in the U.S., offering its award-winning The Cardrona Single Malt Whisky and The Reid Vodka to a wider audience of spirits enthusiasts.

Cardrona was founded in 2015 by Desiree Reid and quickly became a leader in the country’s whisky renaissance. In less than a decade, the distillery has earned a global reputation for crafting superior, small-batch, grain-to-glass spirits with locally sourced ingredients, all made from a base of malted barley, pristine alpine water, and distiller’s yeast. In 2023, International Beverage acquired Cardrona, eager to obtain a foothold in the dynamic New World spirits category.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Hotaling & Co. as our U.S. importer,” Reid said in a news release. “Their dedication to working with unique, high-quality spirits makes them a wonderful fit as we continue to grow our brand and share our passion for distilling New Zealand spirits with American consumers.”

The Cardrona Single Malt Whisky combines South Island-grown malted barley, pristine alpine water, and a traditional hands-on distillation process. Aged in the remote and extreme climate of the Cardrona Valley, the whisky matures in hand-selected ex-sherry, ex-pinot noir, and/or ex-bourbon casks, developing rich, complex flavors. 

With small-batch production, non-chill filtration, and natural color and flavor, Cardrona’s whiskies offer a collectible and distinctly New World take on classic single malt traditions. Currently, three solera-aged expressions that serve as ‘progress reports’ are available in the U.S.: The Cardrona “Just Hatched,” The Cardrona “Growing Wings,” and The Cardrona “Full Flight,” each with a suggested retail price of $120/375ml.

In addition to its exquisite whiskies, Cardrona Distillery also produces The Reid a luxurious single malt vodka that is full of character. The Reid is crafted from rich malted barley, pristine alpine water, and distiller’s yeast. 

After a 70-hour fermentation, The Reid is distilled on a pair of Jacob Carl column still to refine and preserve its complex flavors. It is neither chill- nor charcoal-filtered, ensuring its natural essence and distinct personality shine through. The result is a vodka with delicate notes of pear drops, lemon, toffee, and malt biscuits on the nose with a weighted and balanced palate. Elegantly packaged in a bottle shaped like a water droplet, The Reid has a suggested retail price of $90/750ml.

The Cardrona Single Malt Whisky and The Reid Vodka are now available in California, Illinois, New York, and Nevada, with additional markets expected to open in 2025. 

Read more: Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2024 Ranked

About Cardrona Distillery

Established in 2015, Cardrona Distillery is the result of a dream realized by founder Desiree Reid. Her desire to craft a New Zealand single malt whisky that would stand tall on the world stage involved a near three-year odyssey of global travel and tutelage from renowned whisky experts. Cardrona Distillery is renowned for its dedication to traditional methods, sustainability, and exceptional quality, offering single malt whisky, vodka, gin and liqueurs made using traditional thinking and local ingredients. All bottling, labelling and packaging is done by hand on site. Visit www.cardronadistillery.com to learn more about the distillery and its spirits.