Whisky Names Explained: Batavia: A Blended Indonesian Whisky

From the Astidama distillery in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia comes a blended whisky with a distinctive name: Batavia. Why choose this name? Find out in this new Whisky Names Explained.

Batavia blended whisky takes its name from the 17th‑century Dutch East India Company return ship of the same name. This sailing vessel transported goods and passengers to and from, among other places, Batavia.

The term “spiegel” refers to the flat, ornately decorated transom above the rudder. The original shipwreck lies in Fremantle, Australia, but you can see a full reconstruction at the Batavia Yard in Flevoland. And think of the shopping outlet’s name too: Batavia Stad.

In Indonesia, Batavia is also remembered as the former name of the country’s capital, Jakarta. Indonesia was once known as the Dutch East Indies, with Batavia as its capital.

The bottle also carries an apt slogan: The whisky Born from heritage. According to the brand, the name Batavia holds meaningful history and culture for people in Indonesia. That’s why it was chosen for a local Indonesian whisky first released in 2020.

For some, the choice may seem striking, given the colonial past and the associations the name carries.

Batavia blended whisky is crafted from malt sourced from the United Kingdom and high-quality grains. The fermentation of the barley is carefully monitored at every stage.

After fermentation, the spirit is transferred to large copper stills and distilled until it reaches 95% ABV. The distillate is then filled into American oak and subsequently into French oak casks, where it matures for several years until the desired aroma, flavor, and finish are achieved.

The whisky is available in 700 ml and 150 ml bottles, gleaming gold in color, at 43% ABV.

Did you already know about this whisky? How did you like it? Let us know in the comments!