I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in the Penderyn Tweet Tasting organised by Steve Rush of the Whisky Wire – to be held on St David’s Day (1st March).
The Welsh Whisky Company or Penderyn as they are better known was formed in 1998. It started distilling about two years later, and was the first Welsh distillery to do so in over a century. Some four years later (on St David’s Day – of course), Penderyn released their first Whisky.
Penderyn has unique methods for distilling and primarily uses Faraday stills for it’s whiskies, with the late addition of a pair of Scottish-style ‘lantern’ stills to allow further experimentation and diversity in the production of their spirits. By using the Faraday stills, the distillers can cut the spirit at up to a whopping 92% ABV!
The Drams
I was kindly sent a pack of three 50cl miniatures, a Peated, Sherrywood and a Madeira Finish. The order of tasting on the night was:
- Madeira
- Sherrywood
- Peated
Kicking the tasting off
Penderyn Madeira Finish
We kicked things off with the Penderyn Madeira Finish, which has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in Madeira wine casks.
This dram is bottled at 46% ABV, natural colour and non-chill filtered. I found this bottle, only this week on, offer in Waitrose for a bargain price of £27.00
My Thoughts
Madeira Finish – Nose:
What a beautiful nose, I’m getting lots of rich fruit. It’s very appetising. Making my mouth water! #PenderynWhisky
Madeira Finish – Palate:
Lovely warming mouth feel with crisp apple and almost blackberry like finish. Great long lasting flavour on the palate. #PenderynWhisky
Penderyn Sherrywood
Next up in this trio of Welsh wonders was the Sherrywood.
The Penderyn Sherrywood has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and ex-Oloroso sherry casks. It is bottled at 46% ABV with natural colour and no chill filtration. It retails for around £45 on the Penderyn webstore.
My Thoughts
Moving onto dram No. 2:
— Max Gilbert (@mgilberties) March 1, 2020
Sherrywood – Nose: Lots of chocolate on this one, followed by caramel.#PenderynWhisky
Sherrywood – Palate:
— Max Gilbert (@mgilberties) March 1, 2020
Lots of strawberry, very jammy with a distinctive dryness on the finish. #PenderynWhisky
Penderyn Peated
The final dram of the night was this Penderyn Peated. It’s been initially matured in a Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel for around 5- 8 years, before being finished in an ex-Laphroaig cask. Penderyn Peated is bottled at 46% ABV, again natural colour and non-chill filtered. I believe this retails for close to £50 direct from the Penderyn webstore.
My Thoughts
Bringing out the big guns for dram No. 3. Peated – Nose: I’m picking up a pleasantly sweet and soft smoke from the nose on this one. #PenderynWhisky
Peated – Palate: A gentle, subtle wave of peat and smoke, delivered more in the form of a pepperiness for me with an apple finish. My first @PenderynWhisky bottle was ‘Legend’ and I got lots of green apple. This is a softer, more approachable apple. #PenderynWhisky
Wrapping things up
In my experience, the Tweet Tastings are always really good; with a great mix of people taking part and a lot of laughs and eclectic tasting notes being shared.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this tasting, having only ever previously tried one Penderyn Whisky, of which I wasn’t a huge fan. All of these drams were different, each with their own merits, but one common theme – the quality. They are much better quality than that of the “Legend” bottling I bought a few years back.
My favourite
It’s been great to pour and explore these #WelshWhiskies. I think the winner for me tonight has been the Sherrywood. Thanks for the #Dramspankery great to enjoy drams with a brilliant community of #TweetTasters @PenderynWhisky@TheWhiskyWire@TweetTastings#PenderynWhisky
— Max Gilbert (@mgilberties) March 1, 2020
What others thought
I really enjoyed it thank you! The peated was a great surprise. #PenderynWhisky
— Whisky Daddy (@Jotterface) March 2, 2020
Thanks to @PenderynWhisky and @TheWhiskyWire for the #StDavidsDay treat. Now where did I put those Welsh Cakes? #PenderynWhisky pic.twitter.com/BgyVBfkq5E
— Real Dram Rob (@RealDramRob) March 1, 2020
#PenderynWhisky it has to be the sherrywood. Always pick up a bottle when I’m back home in Wales. My current bottle is nearly at the end but luckily for me I’m going home next month. Diolch Steve & @PenderynWhisky for arrange tonight’s tasting on a special day for us Welsh ???????? https://t.co/DZJTeAafti
— Wales, golf, Madrid ??????? (@simonrees73) March 1, 2020
For once, the peated was not my favourite one tonight. I really liked the Madeira Finish one, then the peated then the sherrywood. But that needs more research so I guess I’ll have to spend more time with those minis, damn ?? #PenderynWhisky
— Coldorak (@Coldorak) March 1, 2020
As always this #PenderynWhisky develops more and more once in the glass.. For me the sherry wood wins out.. It just had that little extra.. Thanks to @TheWhiskyWire and @PenderynWhisky for tonight’s entertainment and drams..
— Sorren (@ocdwhisky) March 1, 2020
#PenderynWhisky
— Whiskey talk (@whiskeytalk2U) March 1, 2020
Very interesting is the subtle background almost chalky, mineral dry nature to their whiskies.
Very distinct & makes for great DNA across their range.. The dry backbone layered with the base wood, fruit & select finishes
Fan of their drams ? @PenderynWhisky pic.twitter.com/YRZRHI7L9X