Extra Eight, the Australian company which last year took over the New Zealand Malt Whisky Company, yesterday sent a shipment of 56 cases of Milford whisky to Holland.
It is its first export order since buying the Oamaru company, which was placed in receivership last year.
Extra Eight director John Evans said yesterday the shipment represented 672 750ml bottles.
"The company is in discussions with a number of other international distributors and expects significant export orders in the coming months," Mr Evans said.
The takeover was an investment by a syndicate of nine international investors led by Interglobal Brands Pty, of Tasmania. They included Mr Evans and Tasmanian businessman Greg Ramsay.
Included in New Zealand Malt Whisky's assets were about 450 barrels of whisky - about 50% of that single malt - stored in the Loan and Mercantile building in Oamaru's historic area. The original company was set up in the building in 2005 by Warren and Debbie Preston.
The new firm, The New Zealand Whisky Company, was also investigating distilling whisky in Oamaru, but ran into difficulties with the interpretation by the Department of Labour of regulations for storing hazardous substances, which includes the liquor.
That led to doubts about whether the company would continue to be based in Oamaru.
Mr Evans said yesterday the uncertainty remained, but the department was working with the company to get "a reasonable resolution".
The impasse over the business' base would remain until it received a compliance sign-off from the department. At that point a decision would be made on whether to remain in Oamaru or move.
"In principle, compliance requires considerable expenditure, estimated at least $150,000 by the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust [which owns the historic building]," Mr Evans said.
Once compliance requirements were settled and the costs were known, the company would know whether it could afford to stay in the building.
"If we can not, then we will have to look at other options," Mr Evans said.
