Penderyn Port Wood Edition named ‘European Single Cask Whisky of the Year’

Penderyn, Wales’s only single malt whisky, has received one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, placing it among the very best whiskies in the world.

Jim Murray, the independent whisky expert and author of the industry’s most respected guide, the ‘Whisky Bible’, selected the new Penderyn Port edition as ‘European Single Cask Whisky of the Year’ and scoring it at a staggering 96.5, one of the highest marks ever awarded in the Whisky Bible’s six year history.

In the 2010 edition of the Whisky Bible, published today, Murray, who is believed to have visited more distilleries than any other living person, reviews more than 3,500 whiskies. He described the malt as a "stunning" and went on to comment, "Classic doesn’t quite cover it... I doubt if even Swansea’s much vaunted beautiful football is quite as beautiful as this; this is [...] perfection".

Single cask whiskies are bottled from one unique barrel, ensuring that their unmatched characteristics remain undiluted. Winning the European Single Cask award confirms the singular perfection of the Penderyn Port Edition.

Production of this unique whisky has been limited to 207 bottles, and, at cask strength of 60.6% vol., is the strongest whisky the distillery has ever produced. Each bottle comes in a handmade oak box, locally produced in Wales, and the label of each bottle is personally signed by Penderyn’s master distiller, Dr Jim Swan.

Stephen Davies, the Penderyn managing director, explained: "This is a great honour for Penderyn, and a tribute to our unique style of whisky and our approach to distilling. At Penderyn we do things differently and have shown that it is possible to create a world class single malt whisky from Wales. We are not afraid to discard some of the traditions in order to achieve a perfect single malt and, and although we are a small, independent distillery, our products have been confirmed as world beaters."

Jim Murray’s full notes on Penderyn Port Wood Single Cask (overall score 96.5) ‘European Single Cask Whisky of the Year 2010"’:

Nose (24) dark and intriguing; the Port character is in a form that will not be easily recognised to the usual Port finish lovers. This one has a brooding, though not quite forbidding presence. And seems to work alongside the bourbony subtext with almost arrogant ease. The result is a stunning, almost rummy experience of the highest Guyanese variety. Taste (24) the port batters open the tastebuds almost ruthlessly for a second or two, as if forgetting its own strength. Shortly, though, it has calmed and the layering of softer, juicier fruit and a more bitter oak infusion has began. Finish (24) now blithely enters superstar status with an extraordinary complexity that becomes seductively apparent. Again the grape is there, rich textured and fat, but the bourbony notes are not shy, either, and melt into the story with burnt honeycomb and medium roast Jamaican Blue coffee signature. The sweeter notes needed to be provided by a molassed/muscovado style for balance - and is, right on cue.... Balance (24.5) If you have five minutes to try a great whisky, don't bother with this one. This is a full half an hour job. At least.  One of those malts which never sits still, changing shape and form and refuses to tell quite the same story twice.  Classic doesn't quite cover it... I doubt if even Swansea's much vaunted beautiful football is quite as beautiful as this; this is Portuguese perfection.