ImpEx Collection: Pokeno Amontillado Cask

November 14, 2024

Bill Varnell

Whiskey Reviews

I was introduced to ImpEx Beverages and Sam Filmus while working with Blacksmith and Jones, the production company of “The Water of Life” film, and its director, Greg Schwartz. I had the pleasure of tasting many different world whiskies’ during our time with the film’s promotion. ImpEx provided us with some fantastic samples. We also did a barrel pick of GlenAlliche at the time.

Whiskey Network® featured Impex owner Sam Filmus on the cover of our November issue. You can learn more about Sam by going here.

Impex has recently debuted The ImpEx Collection Edition Four and has been kind enough to send samples of that collection and two samples of the “World Single Malts.” I will review these over the next several weeks. This review starts with World Single Malt Three-year-old Pōkeno Amontillado Single Cask #20-26.

Pōkeno Amontillado Single Cask #20-26

As you will see in the tasting notes, this is an outstanding whisky that tantalizes the palate!

Class: Single Malt

Source: New Zealand (Pokeno Distillery)

Price: $125

Aged 3 year in Amontillado casks
Mash bill is malted barley
Bottled at 58.5% ABV (117 proof)

Nose: 90/100

Peaches, honey, orange, orchard fruits, and almonds. Overall, a magnificent nose.

Palate: 90/100

Nice, sweet, and oily mouthfeel with peach, blood orange, cashews and baking spices. A bit of heat that dissipates slowly.

Finish: 91/100

A long finish of orchard fruits, as complex honey and vanilla dance on the palate.

Overall: 91/100

Recommendation: One of the most unique single malts I’ve had in a while. Highly recommend buying a bottle. (Only 330 bottles available)

From the distillery's website:

About ImpEx Beverages, Inc.

In 2008, a new chapter began for Sam Filmus, after years in the business captaining JVS Imports. With ImpEx Beverages, his vision was to import premium and rare Spirits from around the world, with a special emphasis on the best of what Scotland has to offer. In 2018, whisky veteran Chris Uhde joined Sam as his business partner in ImpEx Beverages and together they have expanded the portfolio and vision for ImpEx. Now, ImpEx boasts an impressive portfolio, including some of the most notable small to medium sized distilleries and independent bottlers. ImpEx Beverages imports Whisky, Gin, Rum, and Mezcal from Scotland, Wales, Japan, Israel, Mexico, England, the Caribbean, India, and New Zealand with future anticipated additions from unexpected destinations. We also feature a fine line of Liqueurs and Cordials produced in the US. Regardless of your preference, you are sure to find something that pleases from the ImpEx Beverages Portfolio. www.ImpExBev.com