Hey mate
Where on nz are you?
I'm based near Hamilton and have always used Brew your own liquor they always been great to deal with and if they don't have it they have always pointed me in the right direction to get what I need.
Not sure if they have it but give them a try if you want
Get EC1118 - champagane yeast on trademe $25 for 100gms if you want a cleaner neutral.
For rum use bakers yeast from Countdown or a high ester yeast.
Whisky - a beer yeast would be traditional i suppose dont know where you get that in bigger than sachets though.
Things marketed as "Distillers yeasts" Are often actualy turbos.
Pushing a ferment above 10% is a bad idea flavourwise anyways, so the ability to ferment to 16, 20, 3000% is entirely useless anyway, unless you are making fuel, not drinking alcohol.
Where has all the rum gone? . . .
Every new member should read this before doing anything else:
Got some 5g sachets of EC1118 off ebay from a mob in WA.
Experimenting with restarting Birdwatchers over and over from the mat it forms on the top.
Up to the third gen. If I can get a decent number of restarts may set up a 60 liter permanent vodka wash.
Think like UJSSM but without any backset and restarting with sugar, lemon, tomato, and DAP.
Really good so far. No perceptible difference in the smell/taste.
Pile on the bakers yeast, I get 2 lbs in a vacuum packed bag for about $3.50USD at Costco. IMO check with local customs about bringing yeast through the airport or pack it good in your carry on luggage.
