Waihola whisky wizard Cyril Yates is finally savouring the fruits of his labour.
He left New Zealand yesterday for Paris, where he will launch a 25-year-old whisky with origins in the old Dunedin distillery where he worked for more than 20 years.
Mr Yates (56) worked at Wilson's Distillery in Dunedin, through changes of ownership, until he was eventually made redundant.
The distillery was closed in 2000.
After the New Zealand Whisky Company bought the last barrels of whisky, Mr Yates offered his expertise to the Oamaru-based firm.
''I contacted them halfway through last year and offered my services.
"The whisky has been maturing in barrels from the distillery, and I've got a lot of knowledge about it, after 21 years of working there,'' he said.
When the time came to launch the 25-year-old drop in France, Mr Yates' loyalty to the whisky was honoured.
He was selected to join chief executive Greg Ramsay, of Tasmania, in revealing the special liquor to an appreciative audience at The Whisky Exchange in Paris.
From there, Mr Yates will travel to Scotland, where he will visit distilleries and promote the Otago single malt.
He will end his trip in London, by attending the Whisky Live show and visiting The Balmoral whisky bar.
''I'm very fortunate to have this trip offered to me,'' he said.
