Celebrations at a Wanaka brewery were short-lived after they were informed they were awarded a "best in the world" award by mistake.
There was elation this week at the Cardrona Distillery after it was awarded Best 12-year-old Single Malt at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards in the UK.
The Cardrona single malt whiskey "Just Hatched" was awarded the title on February 4, after three rounds of tasting by internationally recognised judges.
It had been the first opportunity the Cardrona Distillery was able to enter due to the three year minimum age requirement
"This is the most prestigious award in the world and it still seems a little surreal that we have won it, along with the judges' accolade that our First Hatched is one of the top 50 whiskies they had ever tasted, " said Cardrona Distillery founder Desiree Whitaker earlier this month.
However, Whitaker told Magic Talk's Dominic George that they had been informed by the organisers that there had been a mistake with the printing of the certificate, which meant they hadn't won the accolade.
"The word New Zealand was omitted from the certificate we were awarded, so we won New Zealand's best 12-year-old and under single malt," said Whitaker.
"It felt too good to be true, and it was.
"The whole team is a bit disappointed," she said.
Despite the blunder, Whitaker said winning the award for best in New Zealand was still something to celebrate.
"We are rapt and proud to have won that for New Zealand," she said.
"For us, it's a return back to earth but still very proud to have won for New Zealand."
Desiree and Ash Whitaker still plan to accept their award in the UK in March where the winner of the world's best will be announced.
Listen to the interview.
