WELSH WHISKY TIMELINE

"Wales has a surprisingly varied whisky tradition."


4th century 4th century
1705 1705
1889 1889
1903 1903
1915 1915
1st March 2004 1st March 2004
1st March 2005 1st March 2005
9th November 2005 9th November 2005
1st October 2007 1st October 2007
June 2008 June 2008
March 2013 March 2013
May 2016 May 2016
December 2017 December 2017
July 2018 July 2018
August 2020 August 2020
May 2021 May 2021
November 2022 November 2022
Spring 2023 Spring 2023

4th century

Archaeology proves that there were small stills throughout Wales

1705

Evan William’s family has a distillery in Dale, Pembrokeshire. They emigrated to the New World and Evan was a founding father of the Kentucky bourbon industry.

1889

The Welsh Whisky Distillery opens in Frongoch, Bala, North Wales

1903

Frongoch distillery closes and the building later becomes a POW camp for German POWs, and in 1916 for Irish Republican prisoners.

1915

Welsh Chancellor of the Exchequer David Lloyd George brings in legislation which helps create a ‘premium‘ whisky business.

1st March 2004

Penderyn Single Malt Whisky launched by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales

1st March 2005

Penderyn is launched in London

9th November 2005

Penderyn is released in the US in New York

1st October 2007

Launch of Merlyn, Brecon FIVE Vodka and Brecon Special Reserve Gin

June 2008

The Penderyn Distillery Visitor Centre opens to the public

March 2013

The new Faraday replica still and pot stills arrive

May 2016

New Penderyn distillery at Swansea’s Copper Quarter announced

December 2017

A record year for sales

July 2018

New distillery proposed for Llandudno in North Wales.

August 2020

Penderyn wins its 50th whisky and spirits gold award

May 2021

Penderyn opens its 2nd distillery in Llandudno, North Wales

November 2022

Welsh footballer Gareth Bale becomes a Penderyn Shareholder and Brand Ambassador

Spring 2023

Penderyn opens its 3rd distillery in Swansea, South Wales