When Penderyn Distillery revived the century-dormant tradition of Welsh whisky-making in 2000, the pioneering distillers had a vision – to honour Wales’ rich heritage and royal lineage while forging daring new paths in whisky innovation.
Over two decades later, that bold vision has been realised through Penderyn’s two signature whisky ranges – GOLD and DRAGON – representing the mighty dual forces powering the world-class Welsh whisky resurgence.
“Our GOLD and DRAGON whiskies are really the two sides of the same Welsh whisky coin,” explains Stephen Davies, CEO of Penderyn Distillery. “The GOLD range pays tribute to the legendary ‘Welsh Gold’ treasures favoured by the nation’s historic princes. At the same time, our DRAGON lineup celebrates the fiery mythological symbol that has inspired Welsh warriors since ancient times. Together, these two ranges encapsulate everything that makes our whiskies distinctly, uniquely Welsh.”
The GOLD Range: Precious Welsh History in a Glass
Penderyn’s GOLD range whiskies exude the rarity and luxury long associated with Welsh gold. The lineup’s centrepiece is the celebrated Penderyn Gold Madeira, a sublime single malt aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in ex-Madeira wine casks. This “house style” whisky has earned numerous top awards including a 2022 Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Awards and consecutive Gold Medals at the Spirits Business World Whiskies Masters every year since 2018.
Rounding out the GOLD family are several other premium expressions showcasing the distillery’s innovative wood-finishing techniques. The Penderyn Gold Peated offers a light, delicate smoke character complemented by crisp fruit and vanilla notes. The distillery’s show-stopping Gold Portwood bottling is a firm French favourite finished in ex-Port casks for a rich, dried fruit essence.
Then there’s the aptly named Penderyn Sherrywood, a luxurious single malt aged in both bourbon and Oloroso sherry barrels. The latest permanent addition is the Penderyn Rich Oak, matured in a special selection of ex-bourbon and rejuvenated oak casks imparting deep flavours of dark chocolate, cinnamon, tropical fruit and nutty toffee.
“Each of our GOLD range whiskies represents the sort of regal quality and artisanal craftsmanship you’d expect from spirits fit for a Welsh prince,” says Davies. “We take great pride in the way these whiskies fuse innovative wood-finishing with our signature Penderyn house style to create truly world-class yet distinctly Welsh single malt experiences.”
DRAGON: Fiery Welsh Mythology Brought to Life
If the GOLD range embodies timeless Welsh opulence, Penderyn’s DRAGON lineup is all about capturing the fierce, mythic spirit of the legendary Welsh dragon. Bold and assertive, the DRAGON whiskies are a fiery revival of the tales and battles that have echoed through Wales for centuries.
The Penderyn DRAGON Legend harnesses the might of the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr with its intense Madeira-finished character. DRAGON Myth offers a fruitier, livelier take inspired by the awakening roars of mythic dragon lore. Then there’s the DRAGON Celt, a smoky salute to the dragon’s fire-breathing power.
“When our ancestors charged into battle, they rallied behind the Welsh Dragon symbol embodying unmatched courage and ferocity,” says Davies. “Each of our dynamic DRAGON expressions really does capture that sense of bold intensity through their robust, elegant flavours and aromas.”
While clearly distinct in character, Penderyn’s GOLD and DRAGON ranges both adhere to the same distillery philosophy of fusing old-world traditions with innovative wood-finishing and maturation techniques. The two ranges also share an unmistakably Welsh spirit rooted in the nation’s storied past yet evolved for the modern palate.
According to Davies, having the two ranges allows Penderyn to cater to Welsh whisky fans of all preferences. “The GOLD whiskies celebrate the luxury woven into Wales’ royal lineage, while DRAGON represents our bold, fiery national persona coming alive in spirit form. With these two forces united in our distillery’s portfolio, we’re able to cover the full spectrum of what makes Welsh whisky so unique and special.”
After a 24-year journey reviving and elevating Welsh whisky on the global stage, Penderyn has truly established its GOLD and DRAGON ranges as two distinguished pillars of the “Water of Life” renaissance in Wales. With new expressions and limited editions being continually developed, these venerable whiskies are poised to evolve while always staying deeply grounded in their mighty Welsh origins.
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About Penderyn Distillery
www.penderyn.wales
In 2000, Penderyn Distillery was established by a team of visionary entrepreneurs aiming to revive Welsh whisky production after over a century’s absence. Today, the Penderyn range of premium single malt whiskies is celebrated worldwide for expertly combining time-honoured techniques with sustainable production practices. This allows Penderyn to honour Wales’ whisky heritage while forging new traditions with each bottle. To learn more about Penderyn’s award-winning whiskies and distillery experiences, visit www.penderyn.wales