Welsh distiller broadens line

Penderyn Distillery, the Welsh whisky maker, is adding vodka and gin to its premium spirits line.

Brecon Special Reserve Gin is packaged in a clear glass bottle. Brecon Five Vodka is intended to look like a block of ice. The company also has redesigned its cream liqueur brand Merlyn. The work is overseen by master distiller Jim Swan and distiller Gillian Howell (seen here).

In the spring of 2005, Penderyn -- then just three years old -- introduced its first single-malt whiskey, created from barley malt and Welsh spring water. As I reported at the time, the privately owned distillery, which operates in the Brecon Beacons National Park, revives a Welsh industry that had provided experienced whiskey makers who were among the founding fathers of the American bourbon industry. In Penderyn, the American link lives on. The whiskey is aged in used bourbon casks shipped from the U.S. before being finished in Wales in rare Madeira barrels.

Brecon Five Vodka is five column distilled, using 100% wheat grain spirit. Brecon "Special Reserve" Gin uses 10 different botanicals married with barley spirit. Both use local water from park springs.

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