7 New Zealand Whisky Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Waiheke: Scenic Taste and Graze Tour with Wine, Whisky, Beer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 60 reviews · 5 hours · from $238Our pick

Spend five hours touring Waiheke with a local guide such as Sylvia, Kevin, Karen, or Shirley. Taste wine at Mudbrick, beer or spirits at The Heke, enjoy a platter and wine at Stonyridge, then sample olive oil and honey at Rangihoua Estate.

“We had a wonderful day with Shirley who showed us around Waiheke Island. We loved how we were able to learn more about the culture and life on the island, whilst also visiting local wineries, breweries and distilleries. We also got to try local made honey and olive oil - the olive herb spread was a favorite! But the best thing about today was our guide Shirley. She really made us feel at home and spread positive energy. Her passion for the island showed throughout the day. We would highly recommend anyone to do this.”

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2.Waiheke Island: Taste&Graze Whisky Cellar Tour, Food, Olive Oil

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · from $266Top rated

Meet guide Kaz or Grant at Waiheke’s Matiatia Wharf for a five-hour small-group food and drink tour. Visit Mudbrick, The Heke, Batch Winery, and an olive-oil stop, with tastings, scenic views, private transport, and time for a platter lunch. Ferry tickets and some meal costs may be extra.

“What a fabulous day! Tour Guide Grant was such a great guide. My husband and I had the most memorable day learning about wine, beer, olive oil and the Waiheke community. This is the best tour we have had in 5 years and we travel frequeRead more”

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3.Shackleton Glacier Whiskey Endurance – 50mins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $434

Take a 50-minute helicopter flight from Franz Josef with Glacier Country Helicopters. Fly over three glaciers, Mount Cook, and Mount Tasman, then land for 15 minutes on remote Shackleton Glacier and sample Shackleton Whiskey with glacial ice.

“How great the staff were. It was brilliant from start to finish. Dion our pilot was just amazing. Would go again in a heart beat. The company is brilliant. Don't book anyone else.”

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4.Queenstown Gin and Whiskey tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $462

Start at Queenstown’s Station Building at 11:30 am for a private six-hour tour led by Sarah, a home distiller. Visit Cardrona Distillery, taste local gins at Rifters’ Tasting Room, hear the stories behind gin and botanicals, and return to Queenstown.

“A highly enjoyable, relaxing and informative day out. Sarah is a wonderful host and as a keen distiller herself is full of first hand knowledge and passionate about gin. The Cardrona distillery is a wonderful experience.”

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5.Heke Brewery and Distillery Tour in Waiheke Island with samples

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $24

At The Heke in Onetangi, your guide takes you through the working brewery and distillery, from milling and mashing to fermentation, distilling, and aging. You will sample one beer and one whisky, then can stay for food or a specialist tasting flight.

“Had a family gathering and couldn't have asked for a better experience. The property itself is well set out with heaps to do for kids, and adults. The food was very very good, considering we were a large group which can't be easy. Set menu Read more”

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6.Shackleton Glacier Whiskey Endurance Flight – 50mins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 50 min · from $418

Meet at Glacier Country Helicopters in Franz Josef for a safety briefing, then fly with an English-speaking pilot over Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers. You will see Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, the Beacons filming site, and land for 15 minutes on Shackleton Glacier with a complimentary whiskey sample.

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7.Waiheke Island: HEKE Distillery & Brewery Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 45 - 75 minutes · from $23Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at The Heke, about 15 minutes from Waiheke’s ferry terminal. You’ll see how beer and whisky are made, sample both, and explore four acres of gardens. Add a tasting flight or stay for food and drinks at the attached kitchen.

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