A world first, The Southerly has combined natural tones of wild hand-harvested 300+ MGO Mānuka Honey and refined notes of an eight-year-old Single Malt Whisky.
The Southerly is the culmination of three years of innovation by founder James Polhill, originating on the family farm with his ambition to create a luxury product born from the nutrient-rich land.
“We wanted to craft a truly extraordinary product from New Zealand,” said Polhill.
“But during what was a challenging and sometimes daunting process, something special happened. Because my eight-year-old son Lucan, now 11, watched the business come to life around the kitchen table and naturally became part of the journey too. Which reaffirmed that the business was an inspiration for my two boys.”
A culinary masterpiece rooted in nature
Every jar has been carefully considered and meticulously crafted to create a luxury product that stands out in the category and breaks all conventions.
Both ingredients have been sourced from the best artisans in the country, Mānuka Honey from the north and Whisky from the south, then masterfully infused by experts to create a luxurious honey like no other.
The stunning vessel and packaging have been created by world-class designers who, alongside wood craftsman, conceived and then crafted a hand-turned lid and drizzler from Mānuka and Oak to reflect the natural fare inside.
The Southerly launched exclusively at Faradays this month, the country’s premier luxury department store and in the coming months will collaborate with high-profile chefs and mixologists as they add their own culinary flair to the unique taste sensation.
A global journey begins
The whisky-infused Mānuka Honey has already captured the attention of consumers and culinary experts around the world.
Jars have made their way to the Bay of Islands in the north and down to the snow-capped mountains of Queenstown in the south, plus they have also been spotted in Beijing, Dubai, Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo and Zurich.
“We’ve been blown away by the interest both locally and abroad,” said Polhill.
“It’s fascinating to see how the best culinary minds have embraced the product and are already incorporating into their culinary creations at lodges and restaurants.”
The Southerly launched an innovative billboard campaign in March 2025. Billboard sites were carefully curated to mirror the target audience and upweighted when the wind blew from the south by integrating weather data from MetService.
The Southerly will venture offshore in June 2025. The ambition is to position the product as ultra-premium and leverage non-traditional distribution channels. Key international markets include Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
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