A lot of people don't know about South Africa whisky, despite the fact that the Three Ships 5 yr Old Premium Select won World's Best Blended Whisky in 2012 and the Best African Single Malt for 2013, 2014 and 2015. So it's not that there is something in South African whisky that makes it a invisible and nonviable to snobbish scotch whisky lovers world over. They are good whiskies and they need not but try them to know it.
It could be that there are only few well known whiskies in the whole of South Africa, namely-
- Three Ships
- Bain's Cape Mountain
Both of these are made at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, South Africa. These are young whiskies and as such don't have that much history behind them.
Bain's Cape Mountain
This whisky was released in 2009 and is South Africa's first ever single grain whisky, from the The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington. Bain's Cape Mountain is aged in first fill bourbon casks for the first three years and then aged further in fresh first fill bourbon casks another two year.
Tasting Noted
Nose |
Grapefruit peels, custard creams and icing sugar. Soon followed by nutmeg and vanilla sugar. Lightness throughout. |
Palate |
Soft and well-rounded with continued vanilla cream. Fresh pear, banana and hints of cardamom and oak. |
Finish |
The sweet citrus peels return, along with a little bit of meadowsweet. |
Three Ships
A truly exceptional whisky from South Africa. Distilled by Andy Watts at the James Sedgwick distillery in Wellington. It was aged in American oak casks, and offers a palate full of flavour. Unfortunately the whisky has been since The 10 Year Single has since been disconitued. So if you're looking to get some dram of this, you're left with the option between the 5 Year Old and the 15 Year old.
Tasting Noted
Nose |
Sweet honey up front on a fresh nose. Almond notes give way to sticky toffee pudding. |
Palate |
Spicy and mouth-coating. Vanilla and hints of greengages. |
Finish |
Fairly long and warming with plenty of lingering oak. |
The Last Word
Myself, I'm a bourbon guy, so while I may be South Africa, I don't enjoy Scotch- styled whiskies but will try them if I'm asked to.
Image Souced
Taste Note:
Source 1: https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/three-ships/10-year-old-whisky/
Source 2:https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/james-sedgewick-distillery/bains-cape-mountain-whisky/
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