Words: De Kock Communications
An incredibly special and rewarding experience awaits visitors to the Whisky Live Showroom in Cape Town held from 18 to 20 June as master distiller, Andy Watts, will share one of the rarest whiskies in the world, the Three Ships 10 Year Old single malt.
Photo supplied
The whisky, made in a limited quantity - 8 000 bottles, to be exact, and long sold out - has received a number of awards since its release in 2010. Most recently it won gold at the 2014 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London.
It was released over a three-year period commemorating the epic voyages of Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco da Gama and Jan van Riebeeck in a special collectors’ series. Very few people, if any, were able to get collect all three.
The whisky is made from the finest malted barley and aged for a minimum of 10 years in specially selected American oak casks of varying ages. The older, smaller casks, contributed to the exceptional smoothness of the whisky whilst the younger American Oak casks brought fruit and oak flavours to the fore.
In addition, the other three whiskies in the range, each matured for a minimum of three years in American oak, express a unique style and finish. They offer those new to whisky a great selection by means of which to explore the wonderful world of whisky, starting with the light and fragrant Three Ships Select and the Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish. Both took double gold at the 2014 San Francisco Spirits Competition.
The Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish spent a further six months in casks previously used for bourbon after its initial three years in American oak, surprising even Andy each time with the multitude of flavours extracted.
The Three Ships Premium Select 5 Year Old, title holder in 2012 of the World’s Best Blended Whisky, is an aromatic and powerfully peaty whisky reminiscent of the great malts from Islay. The whisky, which spent five years in American oak casks, is one to savour with only a dash of water to tease out the nutty, fruity and smoky aromas.
The whiskies are crafted at The James Sedgwick Distillery in the picturesque Boland town of Wellington. Established in 1886, the distillery has over the past two decades undergone several upgrades which transformed it into a state-of-the-art distillery.
The Whisky Live Showroom will take place at The Lookout in Granger Bay. Tickets cost R170 each and can be purchased at www.whiskylivefestival.co.za. Those who register for the Whisky Live Festival Club at the event will receive R20 cash back or 5 additional tasting vouchers.
