South Africa, the oldest of the New World wine and spirit producing countries, boasts a rich history and culture. Often referred to as the Mediterranean of the southern hemisphere, it features great subtropical areas, beautiful landscapes, and stunning flora and fauna. The Cape, one of its finest parts, is known for vineyards older than some modern European countries. While South African wine has a rich and long history, few people know about the fantastically rich history and diversity of its spirits. Right now, you can find world-class whiskies, some unique brandies, and wonderful gins; the latter with their local fynbos typicity.
Unfortunately, the recent pandemic and some questionable political decisions by their leaders made the local drinks industry suffer as a result of consecutive bans on selling alcoholic drinks. But alcohol bans have been lifted, and it's time to support South Africa’s incredible drinks industry and celebrate the beautiful drinks and culture of such a wonderful country.
This is the most expensive whiskey in South Africa
Three Ships Master Collection
Brandy: 'Hold my glass, Monsieur Cognac…'
Brandy is perhaps the longest-produced spirit locally, given that they’ve had wines since the early settlers of the 17th century. The records show that the first wines were dated 1659, and so, not unexpectedly, brandy distillation began soon after. The stills are a bit different but still similar to other big and famous brandy-producing regions, and the diversity of styles is great.
It is hard to define a singular style, but from what we tasted, South African brandy is usually a smooth, fresh, and floral, zesty, and aromatic spirit, different from the over-caramelized examples of some other European counterparts. Often underrated, South African brandies are sometimes aged in slightly more adventurous casks than just French oak, and so with all this comes a great price point and a new field to discover.
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Copper Republic Honeybush Wood Finish Brandy
Copper Republic is one of the smaller, more artisan producers, and they have some stunning expressions in the Zula Cape Brandy range. They are clean and long-aged, fine examples that can stand up to any international brandies. The Honeybush Wood Finish Brandy from Copper Republic is a Cape Pot Still Brandy finished in the local honeybush wood, giving it a truly unique local twist, giving it almost a sense of ‘terroir’.
It is clean and rich with floral and fresh grape notes followed by some peach and mango and plenty of spices. The honeybush wood has a nice soft influence, not overpowering but more of a complement to go along with the main spirit aromas and flavors. It is a great brandy to have with a medium-bodied cigar, and it can be a brilliant base for a Sidecar, not to mention a good old brandy sour (actually, it is much better than just chucking some discounted VS cognac in there). There are plenty of cocktail options, but this is a spirit that is made to be enjoyed how it is, and it will not disappoint a seasoned brandy or even whisky drinker.
The alcohol is nicely integrated, and the flavor elements are all in harmony. Expect beautiful oak spices, fresh, ripe apples, as well as toffee apples, white peach, and apricots. This is a great example of South African brandy with a real local twist. It won a well-deserved gold at the World Brandy Awards in 2020.
Whisky: 'Scotch or Bourbon? Neither, South African Single Grain, please!'
Whisky is a popular drink in South Africa. Maybe the Brits are to blame, or maybe it’s because it’s a great drink and South Africans have a taste for finer things. Regardless of that, there are more and more local whiskies produced here, and some of them are outstanding. Given the climate, the angel’s share is a bit higher, but maturation is also quicker than in Scotland, so it is not necessarily a bad deal.
Single Grain whiskies have a reputation for only being good for bulking up blended Scotch, traditionally. It’s true that there are still many light, neutral grain whiskies out there worldwide, distilled to a remarkably high strength in continuous column stills and aged in 2nd or 3rd filled casks, which hardly impart anything except faint vanilla notes and a light-yellow hue. They are usually cut down to 40% ABV and are gentle at best, if not dull. It is time to think again.
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Copper Republic Single Grain Whisky
The Copper Republic Single Grain Whisky is a small-batch whisky with a premium aim at 43%. Distilled from local yellow maize (corn) and matured in freshly charred and second-fill ex-bourbon casks, one could say it might be closer to a great Bourbon whiskey than a Scotch, but I’d like to say that it is truly South African in its own right. Made to be sipped like a single malt, it is truly the best of its kind.
The tasting note from the World Whiskies Awards describes it thus: "on the nose there is buttery fudge, caramel, and freshly split vanilla. The soft, sweet, candied palate is instantly attractive, with a pleasant fudge and coconut hit. Earl Grey tea, sea salt caramel, tons of vanilla, and ginger spice.” There is indeed a nice spicy edge to the wonderful, smooth but pretty pronounced palate of this beauty, and it well deserved its award in 2020.
Gin: 'Dutch settlers? The British Empire? Modern fashion? All of that!'
Gin is fashionable, and it’s sad that some critics are shouting about a bubble about to burst, but we are happy that they are wrong. There are still many gin brands popping up globally, and sales are still going up. However, the situation with South African gin is a bit more complex, and it goes back in time a long way. Just think about the Dutch settlers and the British Empire; both were obsessed with gin and imported the idea of gins to South Africa centuries ago.
Some of the modern gins are trying so hard to be different, and we’ve tasted many weird and wonderful concoctions that claim they are from a different continent using some botanicals that are so unique to them that other distillers don’t even know about it. It is rather refreshing to see people using their locality and turning their indigenous herbs into parts of their botanical bill. Similar things happen in the Swiss and Austrian Alps, where they use local herbs and berries to create a genuinely local product.
The local fynbos vegetation of the Cape is perfect to inspire some gins with a great local twist. These ‘fine-leaf’ plants love the local Mediterranean weather, and there are over 8000 different types of them, so there is plenty to pick from.
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African Dry Gin
The African Dry Gin is a lovely example of a modern dry gin with some traditional botanicals and a local twist. Eleven botanicals have been used, most grown in the rich red soils of the Western Cape. It is round and smooth, and that 43% ABV is justified. The wild rosemary, confetti bush, and local Buchu plant, which is reminiscent of blackcurrant, work together beautifully with the juniper, citrus, coriander, and honeybush. A crisp dry gin with a nice long finish and a sense of locality. Brilliant in a classic G&T with the local Indian tonic water brand Fitch & Leedes, and it is wonderful in a dry martini.
Rooibos and Grapefruit Gin
The Rooibos and Grapefruit Gin is a harmonious fusion of South African Rooibos and Cape ruby grapefruit combined with rare fynbos botanicals and African ginger root. Some flavored gins can end up being as sweet as a liqueur and infused with manmade flavorings, but not in this case. It is a natural, artisan small-batch product with a great balance between the juniper and other spicy gin elements and the rooibos and grapefruit. This is a full-bodied example with a more earthy approach, a round and big texture, and plenty of fruit, sweet root notes, and a nice warming finish. Try it on the rocks with a wedge of grapefruit or with the Fitch & Leedes Grapefruit Tonic for a full citrus explosion.
Fitch & Leedes Grapefruit Tonic
Fitch & Leedes
Sometimes a bit of distance from the global buzz can help magical things happen to local brands. When the big tonic water boom was happening and a particularly successful brand was rising in the UK and beyond, Fitch & Leedes started to grow in South Africa. It is the local premium mixer brand with an amazingly crisp and well-balanced Indian Tonic Water, a beautiful Bitter Lemon, and a wide selection of other flavors including the aforementioned Grapefruit Tonic. It’s a brand to watch, and I highly recommend trying their tonics, so you can decide for yourself how good they are, but we certainly love them.
Try: Fitch & Leedes Indian TonicSize: 500mlFind here: £6.49 for 6
Also Try: Fitch & Leedes Grapefruit TonicSize: 500mlFind here: £6.49 for 6
Copper Republic is a fascinating distillery with very high standards, represented around the world by Rusty Rabbit International.
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky
Whisky is a spirit that originated in Ireland, then quickly spread to Scotland. It followed Scotch-Irish immigrants to North America, where it eventually evolved into the American and Canadian variants of whisky. For many years these 6 countries dominated the world of whisky, both its production and its consumption.
Today, however, whisky is a worldwide phenomenon. The international nature of whisky was driven home this weekend when a South African whisky, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, was awarded the World’s Best Grain Whisky at the 2018 World Whisky Awards. The World Whisky Awards are sponsored by the UK’s leading whisky periodical, Whisky Magazine. The highly coveted annual awards attract contestants from throughout the whisky world.
Watts had won the World’s Best Grain Whisky award in 2013 and has gone on to win numerous gold medals at many major whisky competitions. We have overcome the odds against the perceived perception that only traditional whisky-producing countries can be taken seriously.
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is the only commercial whisky distillery on the African continent. The whisky undergoes a double maturation, in previously used ex-bourbon casks, which lasts for 5 years. South Africa’s warmer climate accelerates the interaction of the spirit with the cask wood, extracting more compounds from the wood and speeding up its development.
Summer temperatures in Wellington regularly exceed 100 degrees F, resulting in annual evaporation of around 5%. Bain’s Cape Mountain whisky is produced at the Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, South Africa. The distillery is named for Captain James Sedgwick and was started by his sons in 1872. Sedgwick was a ship’s captain, in the employee of the East India Company, who settled in Cape Town on his retirement and operated a bar.
The whisky has a bourbon-like character to it as you would expect from a mash bill that is 100% corn. It has a creamy quality, featuring vanilla and coconut notes, along with hints of tropical fruit, cooked banana, cocoa, and some citrus notes. There are some light wood spice notes of cinnamon along with a pepperiness that emerges on the finish.
Three Ships Single Malt Whiskies
Three Ships is the flagship name in South African whisky and a benchmark for what the country can achieve in single malt production. Produced at the renowned James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, the brand is celebrated for its bold flavor profiles, diverse cask finishes, and pioneering spirit. From its early releases to its globally awarded age-statement malts, Three Ships represents the evolution of SA whisky from curiosity to contender. With leadership transitioning to Walters Uys and a continued focus on innovation, the brand is not only maintaining its legacy - it's setting the pace for the continent.
1. Three Ships 21-Year-Old Millennium
Crafted on the eve of the millennium, this whisky began its journey in ex-bourbon American oak for 10 years, moved into 300L hogsheads for five, and finished with six years in seasoned Oloroso and older ex-bourbon casks. It’s non-chillfiltered and natural in color.
Product Details:
- ABV: 51.8%
- Cask: Refill American oak & Sherry
- Age Statement: Aged 21 years
Tasting Notes:
- Colour: Rich dark amber
- Nose: Nutmeg, roasted nuts, sherry sweetness, coffee, earthy coriander, hints of sea breeze
- Palate: Warm pepper, savory spice, lingering nutmeg
- Finish: Soft, salty spice and delicate sweetness
A landmark release for African whisky, this 21-year-old single malt sets a new standard in long-aged elegance. It won “Best South African Single Malt” at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. Initially developed under Andy Watts, now overseen by Walters Uys, Lead Spirits Intrinsic and matured in Wellington’s coastal climate, it carries deep notes of candied citrus, tobacco leaf, and leather. Time has mellowed the oak influence, resulting in velvety texture and endless complexity. It's not just South Africa's oldest commercial malt - it's one of its finest achievements.
Buy Three Ships 21-Year-Old Millennium - R3,000.0079 Stokery Rd, Wellington, 7654
2. Three Ships 13-Year-Old Cape Ruby Finish
Crafted from copper pot-distilled malt spirit matured for eight years in American oak, then finished for five more in seasoned Cape Ruby casks. Selected from just five casks and presented unfiltered and in natural color.
Product Details:
- ABV: 53.6%
- Cask: Matured in American Oak casks, Finished in ruby port casks
- Age Statement: Aged 13 years
Tasting Notes:
- Colour: Rich red, gold, and auburn
- Nose: Sweet nuts, smoke, old leather, hint of tobacco
- Palate: Red berries, fruitcake, honeyed toffee sweetness
- Finish: Warm, smooth, and lingering
Rich, round, and full of Cape character, this port-finished malt shows how well South African wine casks can elevate whisky. The palate is a fusion of jammy red berries, warm spice, and gentle tannin structure. It's a masterclass in secondary maturation - capturing the local wine heritage while maintaining the integrity of the malt.
Buy Three Ships 13-Year-Old Cape Ruby Finish - R1,199.9979 Stokery Rd, Wellington, 7654
3. Three Ships 11-Year-Old Shiraz Cask Finish
Aged for eight years in American oak before three years in seasoned Shiraz wine casks from the Cape Winelands. The warm climate accelerates development and brings richness.
Product Details:
- ABV: 51.4%
- Cask: Matured in American Oak casks, Finished in shiraz wine casks
- Age Statement: Aged 11 years
Tasting Notes:
- Colour: Rose gold
- Nose: Cherries, nuts, fruitcake, BBQ meat, orange zest
- Palate: Red fruit, clove, pepper, licorice, raisins, treacle
- Finish: Complex, savory peat with smooth, lasting warmth
A global first and proudly South African in every sense. This whisky was aged in barrels that once held robust Cape Shiraz, resulting in a complex nose of black plum, clove, and sandalwood. On the palate, rich red fruit meets oak spice, finishing dry and savory. A daring release that speaks to the region’s creative energy.
Buy Three Ships 11-Year-Old Shiraz Cask Finish - R950.0079 Stokery Rd, Wellington, 7654
4. Three Ships 10-Year-Old Single Malt
Distilled from malted barley in copper pot stills, this single malt spent ten years maturing first in older, then younger second-fill American oak. Presented non-chillfiltered and at natural color.
Product Details:
- ABV: 46.3%
- Cask: Matured in American Oak casks
- Age Statement: Aged 10 years
Tasting Notes:
- Colour: Pale gold
- Nose: White pepper, biscuits, gentle caramel
- Palate: Vanilla, toffee, tropical fruit, spice, soft smoke
- Finish: Long, sweet oak with warm peat and nuttiness
The cornerstone of South African single malt. Released in 2015, it marked a turning point for the industry. In 2024, it earned a Silver at the World Whiskies Awards in the Single Malt (12 Years & Under) category. Aged in American oak, it offers layers of honey, vanilla, and roasted nuts with a clean, dry finish. It remains one of the most accessible and rewarding whiskies for newcomers and loyalists alike.
Buy Three Ships 10-Year-Old Single Malt - R485.0079 Stokery Rd, Wellington, 7654
Key Takeaways
- SA's best single malts now rival global leaders in quality and style, winning awards since 2015.
- Three Ships 21YO and 13YO represent the pinnacle of local maturation.
- Drayman’s offers a rare high-altitude, grain-to-glass whisky.
- Helden blends terroir and innovation with African-style production.
