Penderyn Rich Oak Review: 'Sweet and Easy'

If you're in search of a solid single malt that can be leisurely enjoyed year-round, you're in the right place with Penderyn. We've tested the Penderyn Rich Oak, and you can find all about it in this review.

It is said that Welsh gold is exceptionally rare and valuable and was worn by legendary Welsh princes. According to Penderyn, these qualities are embodied in their Gold range of premium whiskies.

In addition to Rich Oak, featured later on, we find in the Gold assortment whiskies like Madeira, Portwood, Sherrywood, and Peated. Each of these whiskies is crafted with considerable care and attention at the distillery in the heart of Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. One can't help but admire the bottle design in the Gold range.

Designer Glenn Tutssel has been a creative force for Penderyn since 2004. His design was launched at Whisky Live in Paris in 2017, strengthening the notion that Penderyn is a new sort of 'Welsh Gold'. In addition to the golden stripe that has become a vital part of the design, we also notice features on the bottle's wings - a dragon, harp, and three feathers, symbols of Wales since the Middle Ages.

Furthermore, the bottles also display an embossed AC logo representing "Aur Cymru" or "Welsh Gold". It's a beautifully elegant design that Penderyn can rightly be proud of and sets it apart from other whisky makers.

The Penderyn Rich Oak can be ordered from various online retailers.

Penderyn has aged this whisky in a selection of specially chosen bourbon barrels, followed by a maturation period in European ex-wine barrels. This imparts a refreshing fruity layer to the sweet vanilla profile of the bourbon barrel.

On the nose, toffee and cinnamon can be noted, followed by shades of green apples and tropical fruits like mango and banana, with hints of peppery spices also present. We take a sip, and where the nose ends, the taste continues.

It offers a rich and intricate creamy texture, with hints of vanilla, oak, and cinnamon followed by tropical fruits and toffee. The finish has a creamy vanilla flavour that isn't fleeting. We can confidently say that this is a well-balanced whisky.

Penderyn Rich Oak Single Malt is a whisky that can be enjoyed at any moment. It simply fits every mood and moment. The whisky is warm, has depth and engages all your senses. Like many whiskies nowadays, Rich Oak is also non-chill filtered, has a natural colour and is bottled at an alcohol percentage of 46 percent. It is unfortunate, however, that Penderyn does not provide an age statement. Nevertheless, this is a truly impressive representation from Wales.

+ Well-balanced

+ Sweet and Easy to drink

- Shame that an age is not provided

Want to read more of our reviews? Check out our overview.