Tales from the Top Shelf

This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

What happens when you decide not to copy tradition, but create something uniquely New Zealand instead?

In this episode of Tales from the Top Shelf, Suzie Carrig from the NZ Spirit Guide sits down with Mat Thomson, founder and head distiller of Thomson Whisky, to hear the story behind one of New Zealand's most respected whisky distilleries.

From experimenting with mānuka-smoked malt to creating a distinctly Kiwi style of single malt whisky, Mat shares the journey of building Thomson Whisky from the ground up. We chat about the inspiration behind the distillery, what makes New Zealand whisky so unique, the creative process behind the Victor Gin range, and the moments that have made him most proud along the way.

And of course, we couldn't finish without finding out what Mat pours himself at the end of a working week.

Whether you're a whisky enthusiast, a gin lover, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind New Zealand's craft spirits, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

This week on Tales from the Top Shelf, Suzie Carrig chats with Chris Fraser from Bluff Distillery, the deep south distillery behind Bluff Gin. They talk about life before gin, the story behind that striking bottle, the decision to make just one London Dry, and what it feels like to see a small Bluff distillery win big on the international stage.

This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

This week on Tales from the Top Shelf, Suzie Carrig sits down with Matt Bridge, the distiller behind two innovative New Zealand spirits brands – Lunatic & Lover Rum and Sea Lovers Gin. Matt shares the remarkable journey from sailing the world and falling in love with rum, to returning home and creating New Zealand's first botanical rum. He talks about the inspiration behind the distinctive name Lunatic & Lover, his philosophy of "Imagination Distilled," and the creative process behind crafting unique spirits that challenge tradition. The conversation also explores the story behind Sea Lovers Gin – a brand inspired by the ocean, featuring coastal botanicals and a commitment to supporting marine conservation. Matt explains what goes into creating a gin that truly captures the essence of the sea and why giving back to our oceans is central to the brand. With the interview recorded on 1 July, Suzie also talks to Matt about New Zealand's latest excise tax increase and what it means for local craft distillers, using a simple visual example that's sure to surprise many listeners.

This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz

This journey takes us to the beautiful wine village of Martinborough, where Linz Taring is writing a new chapter at Winslow Distillery - a producer with roots stretching back to 1985 and a name once borrowed from one of Saturn's icy moons. Suzie chats with Linz about the move from Wellington to Martinborough, the decision to produce their own base spirit from scratch, and how a winemaking heritage shapes everything from fermentation to flavour. From their People's Choice Award-winning Astra Gin to the seasonal Navy strength Eclipse and the Christmas-in-a-bottle Tiger Lily liqueur, we explore what it means to build a truly distinctive New Zealand distillery - one that honours its legacy while keeping an eye on the future, including whisky barrels quietly ageing in the wings.

This episode was first broadcast on Coast Access Radio, a Community Access Media Alliance station amplifying the voices of Kāpiti and Horowhenua. Supported by NZ On Air. Visit coastaccessradio.org.nz