CARDRONA DISTILLERY

At the end of January 2024, Cardrona hosted their 8th Birthday Party, inviting the Jakicevich family and Glengarry team members to join them. This was no ordinary birthday party, rather a very significant milestone for Cardrona and the New Zealand spirit industry.

Cardrona started 12 years ago, when Desiree Reid set out to realise her dream of making world class whisky in the Cardrona Valley. 12 years on, this birthday party also saw Desiree ceremonially hand the keys of the distiller to its new owners, International Beverage.

They're a world-class collection of spirits businesses who own such distilleries as Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu and Balblair. It’s not adios from Desiree and the talented team she’s amassed around her, rather, the next chapter in their journey. Desiree is continuing as Managing Director, working with the global reach that this new ownership brings Cardrona.

The night before the birthday party for 500, a much smaller group was gathered. These were people that Deisree and her family wanted to acknowledge and thank. Those that believed it was not just possible but were prepared to get behind her dream of producing whisky in this part of the world. A series of awards were presented, one to the Glengarry team, accepted on the night by Glengarry owner, Jak Jakicevich. A delight for Jak to be able to receive this with his wife and daughter there with him, along with Glengarry team members Liz Wheadon and Anthony Sorensen.

New Zealand is built on such innovation and passion as that behind Cardrona. We personally could not be prouder of the whole team at Cardrona and feel very confident in its future.