Penderyn Madeira Finish

Fruit, floral, herbaceous silky whiskey, light but complex, ginger spice on the finish

11th August 2016

I enjoyed a litre of this over a period of a number of months. To begin with I found the flavour a little too provocative. I expected the 46% to need a bit of water but even with that the intense sherry, spice and ethanol flavour was a little too punchy until I got the bottle down a little. I have found the same thing with intense Islay Malts - if the first glass or two seem too harsh a few weeks latter everything is much more settled. I don't know why, perhaps a little air visited into the spirit settles it? If so, this settled into a tremendous drink. What had been a little too intense developed into strong flavours of fruit and butter sweetness. This is a complex and enjoyable product. I'll be getting another one soon.
An important point that should be obvious: This is not a Scotch made in Wales. This Welsh Penderyn Malt has a unique character from the Welsh water, slightly warmer climate, unusual still design etc. Some people say it doesn't taste like a Malt Whisky. I'll half-agree: it doesn't taste like a SCOTCH Malt Whisky. Perhaps that simply be because it isn't trying to be a Scotch Malt Whisky? It is something different. I recommend trying it.

6th August 2016

As noted this has a very strong flavour, but don't be put off! When drunk with ice, or a splash of spring water the delicacies of this whisky really shine. I don't often rate things five stars, but the different layers of sweetness make it a pleasant experience that's rarely topped. Anyone complaining that it's too strong is treating this like a cheap and cheerful whisky, it does not do to gulp this one down.

Definitely in my top five whiskies of all time, quite possibly my top five spirits of all time, certainly a go to favourite to share with friends.

4th June 2016

It was a bit strong at first, but seemed to have some pleasant notes, a dash of water to dilute it down to about 80 proof, was a revelation. It has nice toffee and vanilla note with an over ripe grape background. The finish was short leaving hints of the vanilla and toffee on the palette, it's really a rather pleasant whiskey, after it's tamed. Normally I prefer my whiskies neat but a bit of water really helps this one.

22nd May 2016

Certainly not to my taste - I enjoy many single malts, but this one is worse than a cheap value blend - tastes like a mix between paint thinners and fuel - with an overly sweet after taste - some of their whiskys are good, but this one and expensive shelf space filler in a cheap bottle

6th May 2016

WOW and wow again - I am in South Africa - if I could afford it, it would become my nightly *((knightly applies here)tipple

15th March 2016

Picked this up last week in the UK on my way back to NY. I really love it.

11th February 2016

For those of you who enjoy a good grappa, you will enjoy this unusual single malt. It has a distinctive nose reminiscent of grappa and a hot mouth-feel with honey and vanilla finish.

1st February 2016

A real strong attack in the mouth, my eyebrows fell down and I can't ear anything since, but the pleasure is there after this spicy start and the taste lasts several minuts (3-4 caudalies) : to me a good rendering of wales : Strong and so rich of sensations. A great experience ( except for my eyebrows)

2nd January 2016

How can anyone give this a rating? Its horrible....like trying to drink petrol. Nasty.

1st January 2016

I received a bottle for my birthday and was pleasantly surprised actually, I found it very easy to drink and fairly sweet on the palate very much a sitting by my wood burner in the winter kind of dram.

4th December 2015

Oh dear. I am from a Welsh background and really wanted to believe. I even visited the distillery. It tastes like a cheap toffee liqueur. All buttery, vanilla, toffee. Too sweet. No oak, no smoke, no finish. Can't believe they can pass this off as premium spirit. I have a litre to give away if anybody wants it.

1st December 2015

We were just driving through Penderyn this summer after a visit to the Beacons, and stopped by at the distillery; it was love at first sip. Very potent, but I just had to come away with a bottle. Come to think of it, I didn't know till then that a Welsh single malt existed.

17th July 2015

El Madeira finish , es un néctar genial, donde puedo comprarlo en Barcelona

29th June 2015

Tried it with ice. Tasted like cough syrup. Never again

27th June 2015

Hughly enjoy this whiskey and it has become my "go to" outside of traditional Scotch's

10th December 2014

Quirky and different in the best way. Very easy to drink and not a hint of sulphur, which is ruining far too many Scottish whiskies these days IMO.
A lovely, cakey, Winter dram.

18th November 2014

Those who found it too "burnt" on the way down should either add a splash of good water or use little sips. [Note that it's 92 proof. For me, it's the best sipping-whiskey I know of. (Though I also like the peated version once in a while.

13th September 2014

I work in a whisky bar and I've been asked about Penderyn several times (always by Welsh customers) but we never used to stock it. I happened to stumble across this stuff in Asda and thought "Why not...". i bought it for purely educational purposes but wow... It's a very interesting drop. I have to admit, I was pretty underwhelmed when I first poured it. It's VERY pale in colour and has a slightly unusual smell - the "over-ripe raisins" description is very accurate - maybe the Madeira cask?? My first sip converted me though. this is definitely a unique whisky and doesn't try to imitate its Scottish or American cousins. It reminds me of Indian whisky in that way - there is absolutely no attempt to replicate anyone else's style or flavour profile. it is what it is and you'll either love it or hate it. Have an open mind with that first sip though and it might just reward you.

23rd July 2014

Hi there! Unfortunately, we are currently unable to ship to the Tenerife islands. However, we are always trying to find ways in which to make sure everyone can get their favourite tipple, no matter where they are in the world, so please check back. --The Chaps at Master of Malt

6th May 2014

What will be the price to send to Tenerife?Do you hace people from héroe buying the Welsh wiskey? Km Welsh and come from Pontypridd....look forward to hear from you.

4th May 2014

the whiskey is awesome massive fan. coming from south wales and being to the Brecon distillery. I now live in Virginia beach and have bottles sent over when I can - and my USA team I work with think its great and are getting there own keep it wales your doing epic

19th April 2014

what a beautiful full bodied whiskey to sit and enjoy. was bought for me as a present and put off opening as I wasn't too sure it was going to be good but how wrong was I. take it straight WOW

19th April 2014

Poppers.

15th April 2014

Great neat, with water or ice. I hope the new stills have come on line now so more Aur Cymru will be available to all unbelievers worldwide.

27th March 2014

Mmm - the marmite of whisky. love it or hate it. it's an odd nose and flowery after taste. Ice please !

6th March 2014

I tried a bottle and it is not to my taste - a little sweeter than I normally prefer and the taste was strongly overshadowed by a very pervasive undertone in the bouquet which evoked the urine of a male cat!
I suppose it could be the bottle I bought however I won't be trying another....

4th March 2014

I've just tried this straight! A friend of mine bought it for me because I'm Welsh and thought I would enjoy it. Gawd, it burned all the way from my teeth to my stomach. Don't think I'll be finishing this bottle. Might try it with water then pass it on to my Scottish neighbour if I get the same result.

11th February 2014

Excellent whiskey - fresh but complex. Much better than the average Speyside in my humble

3rd January 2014

This was such a surprise. Being a whiskey snob I bought it for a laugh..

I was so wrong....

25th December 2013

A Welsh whisky? Can't be any good! How wrong I was! There are many good things coming out of Wales (including my three Grandchildren) and this is certainly one of the best.

23rd November 2013

There are whiskies, then there are whiskies,and this can live with any of them. I was interested in the view that some (perhaps most) of the negative comments are from Bell's drinkers. This is a very valid argument. I have long held the view that Bell's is what they use to disinfect the operating tables in Guy's Hospital.

30th September 2013

Great whiskey up there in my book

21st September 2013

Loved whisky for 30 years now and drink it quite a bit. This is as good as any of the Single Malt scotch whiskeys. I think some of the negative comments may have come from Bells drinkers.

7th September 2013

Not as smooth as some of the best cheaper single malts but most definitely worth a try

17th August 2013

This is very good, a little sweet for my taste, but if you like sweeter whisky you should enjoy this. It very well made and good quality.

12th August 2013

The Madeira really cuts into the taste. Might not be the smoothest but an excellent malt. Always going to keep one in the cabinet for me

12th July 2013

Being a Balvenie double wood (12 year old) fan I stumbled across the Penderyn distillery by accident this weekend. Purchased the 'Maderia' as a lets see. So full of flavour and unbelievably smooth. Sorry to admit I cut with ice but still just WOW!!

1st July 2013

Loved it,in fact we all did.!!Iechyd da!!

28th June 2013

Very agreeable dram..Sweet smooth and too moreish

17th June 2013

And my score...

7th June 2013

One of my favourites that I tasted on World Whisky Day 2013 (and I tried A LOT). Smooth, sweet and a sublime finish.

7th June 2013

I absolutely agree with the reviewer above, even though I am from the land o' the pipes and the haggis. I visited Penderyn distillery (well worth a visit, very interesting indeed) and sampled this and the Peated expression. What I think people are forgetting is that this is not a Scotch whisky, nor does it pretend to be. It's a whisky in its own right, with its own identity, as different as Kentucky bourbon is to Speyside single malt. The Madeira finish is an absolute masterpiece, with the fruity flavour of the spirit melding beautifully with the influence of the madeira cask. On first tasting it, I was immediately reminded of a high-end small-batch white rum, full of rich flavours derived from the conditions in which the raw materials were grown. Penderyn's new make spirit, made with pure Welsh water as the reviewer above points out, has a strong character all of its own, and what Penderyn then does with it makes it even more unique and striking. So, my fellow Scotch drinkers, put aside your preconceptions and prepare to meet a totally new dram!

6th April 2013

I am guessing that the majority of negative feedbacks on here about Penderyn are written by those from the land of tartan and wild haggis! The fact is this whisky is quite simply outstanding for the price and is comparable to scottish whiskies of 2-3 times the price. It's thick, sweet and very easy on the palate. The pureness of the well water that has been used and the single distillation process make this whisky unique and triumph. I strongly recommend it and a visit to the distillery if you are ever down their way.

25th January 2013

This really is a first class whisky, wonderfully clean and easy to drink. Fantastic value at the price offered and I am sure that in years to come Penderyn will be globally recognised, a superb whisky.

20th December 2012

Didn't enjoy this drink at all; I don't even think it tasted like whisky. I bought a bottle and will not be drinking anymore of it. Might be one that grows on you but I won't be giving it the chance to.

3rd December 2012

I've had two bottles of this now, bought a couple of years apart. I bought the first one after tasting because it was, and remains, one of the nicest whiskies I have ever had the pleasure of drinking - particularly at this price point. The second bottle still had the same flavour, but was much more harsh, less subtle and with a slightly strange after taste. It was still a decent whisky but clearly not in the same league as the batch from a couple of years previously. I'd give the first bottle five stars and the second perhaps three. It may simply vary from batch to batch (or I may simply be imagining things!)

10th July 2012

Like anything to do with food and drink, everybody's taste is different. Ordered this today after my lunch out of curiosity more than anything else. As a lover of single malt from scotland such as glenlivet and glenkinchie I was convinced that this would not impress. How wrong I was. I'm no expert, but in my opinion, if you like a soft, smooth single malt, you'll struggle not to enjoy this. Try it and see for yourself!

7th May 2012

Absolutely gorgeous. One of the best drinking whiskies around. Delightful taste, lovely and smooth and under £30, there is no downside.

28th April 2012

Not wanting to be a Scotch snob I thought I'd try this when it came up on offer. I thought it had a very strong acetone aftertaste which overshone the subtle flavour. I ended up mixing it with Ginger Ale to finish it off, but others like it so worth a try.

6th March 2012

Superb introduction to wisgi drinking, absolutely superb.

3rd February 2012

This whisky is in a word - perfect. This is the most delicious whisky that I have ever tried.

11th January 2012

We, on the other hand, couldn't stand it! Came last out of 10 on our recent (blind) tasting. Too much Raki and Saki overtones (mixed with raisins) for our palates... but, hey, it was popular for the tasting because everyone agreed it was the least appealing! Have a go - sounds like a love it or hate it thing.

30th November 2010

The Welsh have cracked it! A very pallatable smooth whisky, one of which newcomers to the whisky world would thoroughly enjoy, an excellent entry level drink. The hardened whiskey connoisseur may find it a little new but very refreshing, it's a rewarding, very drinkable evening snifter and we love it.

22nd January 2010

AN EXCELLENT WHISKY TO COMPETE WITH ANY OTHER WHISKY ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS

16th December 2009