Whisky Review/Tasting: Penderyn Legend

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Penderyn Distillery, Wales, on the west side of the British mainland.
Type: Single Malt Whisky.
Distillation Process: Utilizes two sets of stills: traditional pot stills and unique Faraday stills with a total of 23 plates for a high level of reflux, producing a spirit with an ABV above 90%.
Maturation Process: Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Madeira casks.
Age Statement: Not explicitly mentioned, but implied to be relatively young.
Color and Clarity: Unchill-filtered and uncolored, with potential for slight haze when cold due to unchill filtering.
Bottle Design: Features the red dragon from the official flag of Wales, highlighting its Welsh origin.

Nose: Fresh apples, citrus fruits, cream fudge, and sultana raisins, creating a complex, fresh, clean, and well-balanced aroma.
Palate: Smooth, with fresh and rich dried fruits, delicate and sweet with just a hint of bitterness to remain refreshing.
Finish: Long, with an aftertaste of Madeira cask and sultanas. Some bitterness and a metallic tone are noted, indicating its youth.

Horst Luening, the master taster, visited Penderyn Distillery in spring 2016, describing it as a wonderful, new, clean facility. He received a gift of an assortment of small bottles and a coffee mug.
Penderyn Distillery is noted as the first distillery producing whisky in Wales since the 19th century, making Penderyn Legend a whisky with a unique selling proposition.

Penderyn Legend carries significant cultural and geographical identity by being the first whisky produced in Wales since the 19th century. The bottle design, featuring the red dragon from the Welsh flag, emphasizes its Welsh heritage.

"This whisky has potential for maturing to a very good high standard in the upcoming years."
The review expresses a mixed feeling towards the whisky, appreciating its aroma but critiquing its taste due to the perceived youth and bitterness from the Madeira cask.

Penderyn Legend is a young, single malt Welsh whisky, matured in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Madeira casks.
It features a complex flavor profile with fresh fruits and a hint of bitterness, indicative of its youth and cask finishing.
The distillery's use of traditional and Faraday stills contributes to the whisky's unique character.
Cultural significance is highlighted through its Welsh origin and bottle design.
The review suggests potential for aging but notes current limitations in taste due to its youth.

Whisky Enthusiasts Interested in Unique Distillation Processes: The use of Faraday stills and the combination of traditional and innovative techniques may appeal to those interested in the technical aspects of whisky production.
Collectors of Regional Whiskies: Individuals who collect whiskies from different geographical regions might be drawn to Penderyn Legend for its significance as a Welsh whisky.
New Whisky Tasters: The complex yet fresh flavor profile, combined with its relatively young age, might appeal to newer whisky drinkers looking to explore different styles without the intensity of older, more robust whiskies.