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Without prejudice to the section Liability below, the Service may be temporarily unavailable during maintenance, updates, etc. We shall make reasonable efforts to inform you of any unavailability due to maintenance or updates. Penderyn single malt whisky is made using the traditional pot still method, and is matured in ex-bourbon barrels. Penderyn also produces a peated single malt whisky, which is matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Islay peated whisky barrels. This is my first review of a whisky from the Welsh producer Penderyn. There is a long tradition of whisky making in Wales – but it apparently took the 20th century off (i.e., the last maker shut down in 1894). Founded in 2000, the Welsh Whisky Company restarted production in the village of Penderyn (from where they take their name). We may sell, license, transfer, assign or in any other way dispose of the Service (including Members) to any third party without any notification to you, e.g. (but without limitation) in connection with any reorganization, restructuring, merger or sale, or other transfer of assets. You are responsible for all activities through your account. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide to us in relation to your account, and for updating it where necessary. You are not allowed to create multiple accounts. We may terminate or temporarily suspend your account to protect you, ourselves or our partners from (suspected) identity theft or other (suspected) fraudulent (e.g. false, misleading, deceptive) activity. You have the obligation to keep your login credentials confidential. You shall not authorize any others to use or access your account.
Their casking regime perhaps has more in common with the titans of Irish whiskey than their Scottish neighbors, leaning heavily on bourbon barrels for the primary maturation of their whiskies. This is also a tribute to the rich history of distillation in the region. Evan Williams, the iconic bourbon producer, was of Welsh extractation and his family had a distillery in Pembrokeshire . Penderyn uses a large number of Evan Williams bourbon barrels for its primary maturation, keeping the cycle (and history) alive. Penderyn Legend is the new name for our classic Penderyn house style at 41% abv, our single malt whisky with a light Madeira barrique finish. Penderyn Legend is matured in specially reserved ex-bourbon casks made from American Oak, before receiving a further maturation in oak barriques that have previously held Madeira wine, to develop a harmonious single malt whisky with a subtle but sophisticated character and soft golden hues When we sat down to do a night of Penderyn whiskies with the Southern California Whiskey Club, I had no idea how many Madeira influenced whiskies we’d be trying that night. The current Madeira, the old Madeira, the Independence (member side pour), the Red Flag (another side pour) and this, the Penderyn Legend. They really love their Madeira finishes in Wales. The only previous review of Penderyn on Malt was when Adam reviewed the Portwood finish a few years ago. Although an interesting review in its own right, the main reason I reference this is to agree with his comments regarding our castles and rugby team being better than the Scots. They have most of the best whisky, so they have to give us something!
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Penderyn Distillery was at one point one of the only distilleries in the region, and it is now the figurehead and standard bearer for Welsh whisky. The Welsh Whisky Company, Penderyn’s company name, brought its first whisky to market in 2004. Since then it has enjoyed exceptional growth and garnered quite a bit of both regional and international acclaim.
Prior to Penderyn opening at the start of the 21 st century, the last distillery in Wales was Frongoch, near the beautiful town of Bala in the north of the country. It was known for its Royal Welsh Whisky, after being bestowed with a royal warrant by Queen Victoria in 1895. Unfortunately, it closed its doors not long after and never re-opened again, later becoming a prisoner of war camp during World War I. The most famous inmates were Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins (who spent two years at the camp following the Easter rising of 1916) and the author, playwright and politician Terence MacSwiney. Stylistically, Welsh whisky as a category is a bit hard to define, not least due to the very limited sample size relative to other major whisky producing regions. Penderyn’s house style is most reflective of its choice of still and casking regimen. Penderyn utilizes a Faraday still for the majority of their distillations, rather than the more common ‘lantern’ pot stills, resulting in a much higher alcohol white whisky than most whisky distilleries.It’s basic and light, but has a nice round essence that’s pleasant and fun. Overall it’s warm and pleasant and the waxy fruit character of the aroma, palate and finish remind me of young Clynelish. It’s not super deep or complex, but there aren’t any off notes either, nor is it boring. Penderyn Legend is definitely something I could sip on any day of the week. Palate: Sweet arrival, with the icing sugar moving more towards molasses now – plus a candy apple sugar coating. Peach and pear, plus those tart apples (think early-season Macintosh). Dark grapes. Lemon citrus, including pith. You can really taste the madeira finishing here, complementing the malt nicely. Classic wood spices show up, but mild – mainly nutmeg. Has a tangy metallic taste on the swallow, with some bitterness immediately afterwards. No real burn, in keeping with the 41% ABV. Legend has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks before being finished in oak barriques that previously held Madeira wine. Bottled at a slightly lower strength (and younger age) than the standard Penderyn Madeira Wood, you could consider this the latest expression of their classic “house style”.
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