THREE SHIPS RELEASES SECOND 10-YEAR OLD SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Seven years after the first Three Ships 10-year-old Single Malt Whisky was introduced to the South African market, master distiller Andy Watts has outdone himself yet again by creating an exceptional whisky of the finest quality.

“We have spent almost a decade in crafting and perfecting a superior whisky for the discerning market,” says Watts from The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, Western Cape, that is home to the brand.

“With its natural warm copper colour, this full-bodied, round whisky has a hint of peat but without associated smoke. The estery notes add a slightly sweet fragrance hinting of dried fruit and fudge. It has a long, warm finish with a good balance between the wood and the whisky,” Watts explains.

This latest offering has been matured for the full 10 years in various aged American oak casks differing from its predecessor that spent its last two years in ex Sherry casks. Watts says the older small wood has contributed to the exceptional smoothness of this whisky whilst the wood, being American oak, gives a slight sweetness.

Each of the 8 000 bottles of the Three Ships 10-year-old Single Malt Whisky will be available in a limited edition collector’s tin to commemorate intrepid explorers who set foot on the Cape coast. Among these individuals are Bartholomew Diaz, Vasco da Gama and Jan van Riebeeck and the tins will tell the story of their pioneering journeys.

Brand manager Liezl Dippenaar says similar to Diaz, Da Gama and Van Riebeeck, Three Ships set sail into the unknown when Three Ships launched its first 10-year-old Single Malt Whisky.

“We know South African connoisseurs appreciate single malts, but we did not know how well they would react to one that is locally produced. When the 6 000 bottles that we released in November 2003 were sold out within approximately six months, we realised there is a tremendous demand for a first-class, affordable whisky hence this latest offering,” Dippenaar says.

Three Ships 10-year Old Single Malt Whisky will be available from selected bottle stores countrywide by the end of the month. It is expected to retail at about R200 per bottle.

Andy Watts

Notes:

The James Sedgwick Distillery, situated in Wellington in the Cape Winelands, was established in 1886 and over the past two decades it has undergone several upgrades transforming it into a state-of-the-art distillery.

The Three Ships fleet consists of Three Ships Select, Three Ships 5-year-old Premium Select, Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish and now the Three Ships 10-year-old Single Malt Whisky.