Penderyn Madeira Finished

It’s summer, it’s rainy, I’m sat indoors and I’m bored of Scotland. Really bored, in fact, as the weather has been horrible these past few weeks and I’m about as tanned and healthy as a dead sperm whale. With the forecast promising another 5 days of heavy rain showers, stupid clouds and temperatures soaring to some 17 degrees, I can’t wait to go down south for my holiday which will eventually take me to Wales. I know what you’re thinking – “why the heck would anyone go to Wales?” – and trust me when I say that it wasn’t my idea, but there are actually a few good things to be found in the Welsh wastelands.

What I’m talking about is, of course, the ever so well known Welsh whisky scene – consisting mainly of the one distillery, Penderyn. Coincidentally, I just so happen to have a drink of Penderyn Madeira Finished in front of me. Launched in 2004, Penderyn is the only distillery which has chosen Wales as its home for some 100 years. The distillery actually lies within a UNESCO ‘Geopark’ –  Fforest Fawr National Geopark – one of only 53 Geoparks in the world, and no I didn’t spell Fforest wrong; silly Welshies.

Now then, let’s have a sniff and taste. Much as one would expect from a Madeira finished whisky, the nose is sweet and fruity with banana conserve, some apple, toffee and vanilla. Quite nice indeed, it’s as sleek as the packaging. The palate carries the same toffee notes along with oak, vanilla and some mild honey. I didn’t think that the banana conserve would be present on the palate, but much to my surprise and joy – it is, and it’s gorgeous. The finish is possibly the best aspect of this expression, with lots of fruity white wine flavors.

Overall this is not at all bad for a young whisky coming out of a young distillery, and as a fan of sweet whisky I really like it, but priced at around $45 I can’t help but think that it’s slightly too expensive. That said, if you like a sweet whisky and fancy something different I would recommend it, and I can definitely see it becoming a favorite Daily Drink of my own. While I haven’t tried Penderyn’s other expressions yet, I have heard good things and will try to return with a review of them at some point in the not too distant future.

Color: Warm white wine.

Nose: Sweet and fruity, banana conserve, some apple, toffee and vanilla.

Palate: Toffee, oak, vanilla and mild honey. Fruity white wine finish.

Want to buy this whisky? Available in: USA & World (click), UK & Europe (click)