South Africa's single-grain whisky enters US market

SOUTH Africa's first and only premium, 100% single-grain whisky, Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky, debuts in the US this month. The 2013 World Whiskies Awards "World's Best Grain Whisky” will be available at selected locations in Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri.

Since it was launched in 2009, the whisky has received five consecutive gold medals at the annual International Wine and Spirits Competition in London; silver medals in 2010, 2011 and 2012 at the International Spirits Challenge; a gold medal at the 2014 New York International Spirits Competition; and a gold at the 2014 China Wine & Spirits Competition.

The whisky is crafted at the James Sedgwick Distillery located in the historic farming town of Wellington, South Africa using a unique "double-maturation" process.  It goes through a three-year maturation period in specially selected, first-fill bourbon casks and is then re-vatted into a second set of first-fill bourbon casks for another 18 to 30 months. The exceptional interaction between spirit and wood creates a sensuous mix of vanilla, toffee, and floral aromas and flavors with a hint of spice softened by the sweet undertones of the oak casks. Its origin has spawned the new subcategory Cape Mountain Whisky.

World-renowned master distiller Andy Watts, only the sixth manager in the nearly 130-year history of the James Sedgwick Distillery, oversees production. A finalist for World Distillery Manager of the Year in the World Whisky Icon Awards competition early this year, Mr Watts marked many firsts on South Africa's whisky front, including the production of the country's first single malt. He also developed the first blend of South African and Scotch whiskies and created a 100% locally blended whisky. His more recent achievement was the introduction of the country’s first single-grain whisky, Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky.

“Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky showcases South Africa's ability to produce a premium, specialist whisky that reflects a unique taste of place, while holding up to award-winning, world-class standards," according to Lee-Anne van Wyk, Bain's global marketing manager for Distell, a leading producer and marketer of spirits, fine wines, ciders, and ready-to-drink products in Africa.