Boplaas received the highest honour for a South African grain whisky at the prestigious World Whisky Awards competition, announced just days ago in London. Taking centre stage was the Boplaas 10Y0 Rum Cask Whisky, named top grain whisky in its category.
From big name distillers to smaller, independent producers, the championship casts the spotlight on the prestige and diversity of the global whisky market. Boplaas received Gold and was named category winner, making it South Africa’s best grain whisky entrant.
It stood out among hundreds of hopefuls from across the globe, including renowned whisky nations such as Japan.
“The World Whisky Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality,” says sixth generation Boplaas distiller Daniel Nel. “It’s always very gratifying to be recognised for the lengths we go to in the making of truly exceptional spirits and wines at Boplaas.”
The 10YO Rum Cask Whisky is a single grain whisky, made from the finest South African yellow maize. It was aged in a combination of first and second-fill ex-bourbon whisky barrels and then finished in casks that were previously used for the making of rum. The result is a sublime beverage with a complex, savoury nose with layers of fruit. The rich palate unfolds with notes of sweetcorn, candied apple, and warm guava. The glorious finish swells and then dissipates slowly into a soft vanilla sweetness.
A significant differentiator of distilled beverages from Boplaas is the distillery’s location in Calitzdorp. Low humidity and the big variations in temperature that characterise the Klein Karoo climate allows for quicker maturation, a higher angel’s share, and importantly, deeper flavour concentration.
The 10YO Rum Cask Whisky is the oldest expression released by the Boplaas distillery to date and is only the second bottling of this expression. The previous iteration won Gold at last year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
The current release comprised of just of 750 bottles, each at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour. Its status as a fine and rare collector’s item is underscored by the packaging – a branded case – and a purchase limit of just three per person.
It has been a worthy addition to Boplaas’s world-class portfolio of quality ports, wines and spirits. Although whisky has only been made on the farm for the past 12 years, Boplaas’s distilling history dates to 1880. This latest award showcases the brand’s dedication of producing the highest quality whisky and that South African whisky can compete with the best in the world.
Category winners of the World Whiskies Awards go on to compete against others winners. All country winners then have the chance to become the World’s Best in their category, the results of which will be announced at the Global Dinner in March.
For more information, email admin@boplaas.co.za, call 044 213 3326 or visit www.boplaas.co.za.
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