Knappogue Castle 12 Year
This Irish distillery has an interesting story. A derelict castle was bought by Mark Edwin Andrews, former Assistant Secretary of the United States Navy, and his wife Lavonne in 1966. The Andrews collected whiskey from the Daly Distillery and eventually brought to market. While the castle was repurchased by Ireland in 1996, the castle’s namesake whiskey is still produced today by a company run by Andrews’ son. The Knappogue Castle 12 Year is the youngest of a line featuring several age statements.
Penderyn Madeira
Wales has a long history of distilled beverages, but Penderyn is the country’s only current distillery. Founded in 2004, the distillery lays nestled in the Breacon Beacons and produces the world’s only Welsh single malt. One of the world’s smallest distilleries, Penderyn’s signature single malt, the Madeira won gold medals at the 2012 and 2013 International Whisky Competition. Can this new whisky on the block live up to the legends imbued in the history of the landscape?
Yamazaki 12 Year
Yamazaki is Japan’s first and oldest distillery and has been producing whisky for nearly a century. Situated just outside Kyoto and owned by Suntory, the Yamazaki 12 was inspired by scotch but only goes so far with that inspiration before setting out on its own distinctive path. The whisky is very much a product of its locality, infused with unique character. They don’t mess around, in other words. This particular offering has been the recipient of many international whisky tasting awards. It was highly praised at our tasting.