Heritage
"Wales has a surprisingly varied whisky tradition."
The story of Welsh whisky stretches back centuries, from ancient stills in the 4th century to the founding of Penderyn and the opening of three modern distilleries. This is the timeline of a tradition that was lost, revived, and is now celebrated around the world.
4th Century
Archaeology proves that there were small stills throughout Wales, establishing a distilling tradition that predates most of the world's whisky regions.
1783
West Wales distiller Evan Williams and family emigrated from Pembrokeshire to the banks of the Ohio River in the 1780s and became a founding father of the Kentucky bourbon industry, with Evan Williams Kentucky Bourbon still available today.
1889
The Welsh Whisky Distillery opens in Frongoch, Bala, North Wales, marking a brief but notable chapter in Welsh distilling history.
1903
Frongoch distillery closes and the building later becomes a POW camp for German prisoners, and in 1916 for Irish Republican prisoners. Welsh whisky enters a century-long silence.
1915
Welsh Chancellor of the Exchequer David Lloyd George brings in legislation which helps create a 'premium' whisky business, reshaping the industry for generations to come.
1st March 2004
Penderyn Single Malt Whisky launched by His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. On St David's Day, Welsh whisky returned after over a century of silence.
1st March 2005
Penderyn launches in London, taking Welsh single malt from a Valleys village to the capital.
9th November 2005
Penderyn is released in the US in New York, marking the brand's entry into the world's largest whisky market.
1st October 2007
Merlyn, Brecon FIVE Vodka and Brecon Special Reserve Gin launch, expanding the Penderyn family beyond whisky for the first time.
June 2008
The Penderyn Distillery Visitor Centre opens to the public, welcoming visitors from around the world to see where Welsh whisky is made.
March 2013
The new Faraday replica still and pot stills arrive, expanding production capacity while maintaining the unique single-distillation process that defines Penderyn's character.
December 2017
Penderyn has its strongest sales year yet, reflecting growing demand for Welsh whisky worldwide.
August 2020
Penderyn wins its 50th gold award for whisky and spirits, a marker of just how consistent the quality has been since day one.
May 2021
Penderyn opens its 2nd distillery in Llandudno, North Wales, drawing water from beneath the Great Orme Lighthouse on the dramatic North Wales coast.
Spring 2023
Penderyn opens its 3rd distillery in Swansea, South Wales, a stunning visitor experience in the heart of the city's historic Copper Quarter.
Continue the Story
Visit one of our three distilleries to walk through centuries of Welsh whisky heritage, or explore our award-winning range online.
