About Herrick Creek

Our Story

Like many great Kiwi projects, Herrick Creek began in a humble garage in 2019.
Owner and distiller Tom is Canadian-born, with moonshine running through his veins—a tradition started by his great-grandfather, a legendary bootlegger in rural Ontario during prohibition days.

Inspired by those roots, Tom set out to blend the best of North American moonshining with New Zealand’s bold spirit.
Today, every bottle is still crafted by Tom—mashing, distilling, bottling, labelling, and shipping—all done by hand, one batch at a time.

Brand Inspiration

Herrick Creek is named for the wild, mysterious places of Fiordland—where legends of lost moose still echo through the bush.
Our spirits are for explorers, storytellers, and anyone who chases adventure (and a good laugh). We raise a jar to the myths, the moose, and the makers who keep things interesting.

Craft Distilling—From Grain to Glass

We’re a true small-batch distillery, working with a 250L copper pot still right here in Christchurch.
Some batches are as small as 20 bottles; the largest is just 270. We control every step—selecting local corn, distilling with care, and bottling by hand—to deliver unique New Zealand spirits you won’t find anywhere else.

Our Mission

Our goal is simple:

  • Make high-quality, affordable spirits from local grain
  • Keep craft distilling honest and transparent
  • Help New Zealanders discover and celebrate homegrown spirits

We’re working to see more local products behind every bar—not just mass-produced imports.
Your support helps us keep the spirit of Kiwi craft alive.

Our Milestones

  • 2020: Herrick Creek production begins. NZ’s first corn whisky (Dusky) barrelled.
  • 2021: First-ever NZ blue corn whisky barrelled.
  • 2022: Smokin’ Right Rear Moonshine wins Gold & Best Flavoured Vodka at the NZ Spirits Awards. First NZ red corn whisky barrelled.
  • 2023: First single malt whisky released (Smoked). We move from garage to bigger production space. Blue corn whisky released.
  • 2024: First NZ red corn whisky released.

Thanks for supporting Herrick Creek and real, local spirits.
See you at the next tasting—cheers!