Review

Brecon Botanicals
Special Edition Gin

Welsh Whisky Co Ltd., Penderyn (Gwalia) Distillery, Penderyn, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK.

Welsh Whisky Co. Ltd.

Established in 2000 (the first Welsh distillers since 1889), it’s first product was a Welsh single malt whisky, launched on St David’s Day (the patron saint of Wales) 1st March 2004. A visitor’s center opened in 2008 for tours, sampling and purchases.

In 2007, their range of products expanded to include Brecon Special Reserve Gin, the first ever produced in Wales. This is broadly sold in the UK and Spanish markets, in a 50/50 split. Following requests from their Spanish Distributors, they launched this new Gin with a higher alcohol content and different flavor profile in early 2013. 

This is made in the same way as their Brecon Special Reserve Gin (but with different botanicals): A third party neutral grain distillate produced via column still is used for the base spirit. This is blended with malted Regina barley spirit, hydrated with Brecon spring water, and infused with the botanicals in a copper pot still. The still is designed by Dr. David Faraday, constructed by MacMillans, and is a hybrid, which incorporates a column still. The Gin is similarly presented in a tall, clear, cylindrical bottle with simple stylistic monochrome labeling – the botanical illustrations on the bottle were engraved and reproduced especially for this new brand.

Distilled Dry Gin.

43% (86 Proof).

$$$ - $$$$. Not widely available in the USA (if at all). Try Master of Malt in the UK but be prepared to pay 70% more for shipping.

Uses 7 botanicals including: bergamot, cinnamon, cloves, juniper, lemon, orange and saffron.

The distillery is in the heart of the Neath Valley known as Waterfall Country (only a short distance from Scwd-Yr-Eira (Snow waterfall) which falls 50 feet), at the foothills of Brecon Beacons National Park. The name is taken from this beautifully rugged mountain countryside.

On the nose is juniper and citrus (orange) with herbal (bergamot) and spice notes. On the palate this slightly sweet, smooth spirit shows earthy juniper, citrus (lemon & orange) and spice. It has a medium length spice (cinnamon & cassia) and slight peppery finish.

Penderyn Distillery has maintained the quality and classic styling of their Brecon Special Reserve Gin whilst developing a wonderfully different taste sensation. This works well in a Martini and very well in a Gin & Tonic – although not in a classic sense, as the citrus (with juniper) comes through strongly, with herbal (bergamot) and spice notes in the background.

We haven’t tried enough of this in other mixed drinks to make further suggestions but we look forward to correcting this in the future. A big “Da iawn ti” to all at Gwalia Distillery (hopefully, this translates as “Well done” in Welsh).

Gold Medal, Gin Masters, 2015.

Silver Medal, International Spirits Challenge, 2013.