Latest news with #HensolCastle
Business News Wales
21 hours ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Hensol Castle Distillery Whisky Wins Silver at Prestigious IWSC Awards
Hensol Castle Distillery is celebrating a major milestone after being awarded a Silver Medal at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) for its Single Malt New Make Spirit. Scoring an impressive 92 points out of a possible 100, the unaged whisky from the South Wales distillery was praised for its complexity, mouthfeel and aromatic profile. The award is a significant achievement for the team at Hensol Castle, who have spent the past three years perfecting their new make spirit; the foundational liquid that will become their hotly anticipated 3-Year-Old Aged Single Cask Collection, due for release in March 2026. The spirit was created under the guidance of Head Distiller Kyle Jones, who led extensive trials in distillation techniques and liquid cuts to craft a product that stands out even before maturation. Kyle Jones Head Distiller at Hensol Castle Distillery said: 'We set out to create a new make spirit that's not just a step toward great whisky, but a great spirit in its own right. To have that work recognised by such a prestigious body is an incredible honour.' The IWSC judging panel, which includes leading buyers and industry experts from across the global spirits sector, praised the spirit's vibrant and layered profile. Dawn Davies MW, Head Buyer at Speciality Drinks, described the entry as: 'Vibrant aromas of tropical fruits transition seamlessly into a creamy palate that offers a velvety mouthfeel. The finish is complex, featuring a delightful green citrus note, which lingers beautifully.' What makes this accolade even more significant is the calibre of the IWSC judging panel, with 90% of judges being active buyers and decision-makers in the spirits industry. This recognition places Hensol Castle Distillery firmly on the radar of tastemakers, retailers, and whisky lovers alike. The awarded spirit is a barley-based new make, bottled at 50% ABV and produced sustainably in Wales. It marks the first major award for the distillery's whisky programme and hints at the potential of future aged releases. To mark the success and share the whisky-making journey, Hensol Castle Distillery is offering an exclusive 'Age at Home' experience for whisky enthusiasts. Distilled on-site at Hensol Castle, the unaged single malt is made from a bespoke 100% malted barley beer wash, contract brewed by Tiny Rebel to a recipe developed by Master Distiller Dai Wakely and Tiny Rebel's Head Brewer Mark Gammons. With only 150 kits available, each cask is individually signed and comes with guidance to help users craft a whisky entirely unique to them. This hands-on experience offers fans the chance to engage directly with the ageing process ahead of the wider release of Hensol Castle's aged whisky range in 2026.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hensol Castle secures UK on-trade distribution deal with Molson Coors
Hensol Castle Distillery is looking for Molson Coors Beverage Company to boost the Welsh distiller's presence in the UK on-trade. In a statement, Hensol Castle Distillery said the nationwide deal is a 'significant step' in its growth beyond its south Wales and will make its spirits accessible to a 'broader on-trade audience'. Initially, the tie-up will focus on gin and rum sold under the Hensol Castle brand and vodka and gin marketed under the Benjamin Hall brand. Chris Leeke, managing director and co-founder of Hensol Castle Distillery, said the deal is a 'game-changer for us'. He added: "Working with Molson Coors allows our spirits to reach new audiences and brings our castle-crafted quality to bars and restaurants right across the UK." Molson Coors, the owner of brands including Carling and Staropramen, is one of the largest brewers operating in the country. The UK is Hensol Castle Distillery's main market but it has distribution in Canada, Belgium and through travel retail. In the UK, the distiller also supplies supermarket chains Tesco, Asda and Morrisons. The company also offers a white-label service supplying retail and hospitality customers Martin Anderson, a regional sales controller at Molson Coors, said: "We are excited to add Hensol Castle to our extensive on-trade distribution portfolio, bringing the unique offering of their portfolio to customers near and far." "Hensol Castle secures UK on-trade distribution deal with Molson Coors " was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
