Welsh single-malt whisky

Welsh Single-Malt Penderyn Making Strides Without Long Aging

Filed under: Spirits

When the Penderyn Distillery began distributing its single-malt whisky in 2004, expectations were not that high. After all, it was the first time whisky had been distilled for mass distribution in Wales in over a century. Also, the age of the whisky was just four and half years.

But the lesson here is that whisky doesn't have to be old to be good, or even great. Penderyn has not only been racking up the accolades, but it has added expressions that have been largely applauded and recognized as some of the best small-batch whisky in the British Isles, and the world.

The distillery is located in the village of Penderyn, in the southern reaches of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The water used for the whisky is pumped from a spring under the distillery. The barley-wash mash that gets distilled comes from Brains Brewery in nearby Cardiff. And as the only Welsh singe-malt, Penderyn has what any good whisky needs--a good story.

Gallery: Penderyn Welsh Whisky