Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky releases travel exclusive 21yo expression
Only 275 bottles of Bain’s 21-Year-Old Pinotage Special Reserve have been produced
South Africa’s Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, owned by Distell International, has unveiled a new limited-edition expression which is exclusive to travel retail – Bain’s 21-Year-Old Pinotage Special Reserve.
Just 275 bottles have been produced, and the whisky is available at Big Five Duty Free stores in South Africa.
The 21-Year-Old Pinotage Finish is the rarest whisky released to date by The James Sedgwick Distillery, with only one cask selected.
In flavor, touches of typical Pinotage red berry fruit combine with a slight earthiness, interlaced with the signature caramel and spicy notes of Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky. The whisky’s color reflects the warmth of the Kalahari Desert sunset, with its orange and red hues.
Founder Distiller Andy Watts aged Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky for a further 10 years in older American oak before maturing the whisky in a seasoned Pinotage cask for two years. To embrace grain whisky’s absorption of flavor from seasoned casks, the whisky was re-vatted back to older American oak for three years before spending a final year resting in rinsed Pinotage casks, rounding off the whisky to perfection over 21 years.
Bain’s 21-Year-Old Pinotage Special Reserve, available in a one-liter bottle, is non-chill filtered and bottled at 50.8%abv. The limited-edition release joins the travel retail exclusive 21-Year-Old Double Cask Finish and 10-Year-Old Shiraz Cask Finish that were launched in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Andy Watts, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky Founder Distiller, said: “This limited edition really doubles down on its South African roots, pairing the nation’s most iconic whisky with Pinotage – the idiosyncratic grape which has been so central to the country’s wine culture. For visiting whisky lovers keen to take home something uniquely South African, or proud South Africans looking to celebrate our wines and spirits, this is a true one-off which we’re delighted to offer through our partners at Big Five Duty Free.”
Luke Maga, Distell International Head of Europe & Travel Retail, commented: “This incredible whisky, a testament to Andy’s innovative spirit, truly captures the essence of South Africa. Thanks to its accessible style and taste, Bain’s has a pivotal role to play in the world of international whiskies and this new expression is sure to appeal to travel retail consumers who are increasingly seeking innovation, exclusivity and new flavors.”
Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is crafted at the James Sedgwick Distillery situated near the foothills of the Bainskloof Pass, in the striking Cape Mountains.
