Boplaas received the highest honour for a South African grain whisky at the prestigious World Whisky Awards competition, announced just days ago in London. Taking centre stage was the Boplaas 12YO Rum Cask Whisky, named Top Grain Whisky in its category.
“The World Whisky Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality,” says sixth-generation Boplaas distiller Daniel Nel. “It’s always very gratifying to be recognised for the lengths we go to in the making of truly exceptional spirits and wines at Boplaas.”
This 12 Year Old Single Grain Whisky has been patiently matured in Bourbon and brandy casks before a distinctive finish in South African and Colombian rum casks. The nose opens with vanilla, caramel and toasted oak, followed by hints of dried fruit and gentle spice.
On the palate, it is smooth and rounded, revealing layers of toffee, vanilla cream and tropical fruit, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee emerging from the rum casks. The finish is long and warming, with lingering sweetness, soft oak and a gentle, mocha-like richness.
A significant differentiator of distilled beverages from Boplaas is the distillery’s location in Calitzdorp. Low humidity and the large variations in temperature that characterise the Klein Karoo climate allow for quicker maturation, a higher angel’s share and, importantly, deeper flavour concentration.
The 12YO Rum Cask Whisky is the oldest expression released by the Boplaas distillery to date and marks the first bottling of this expression. The previous iteration (the 10YO Rum Cask) won Gold at last year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) and was named Best South African Whisky at the World Whisky Awards.
The current release comprises just 750 bottles, each bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and natural in colour. Its status as a fine and rare collector’s item is underscored by the packaging – a branded case – and a purchase limit of just six bottles per person. Wine and Whisky Club members will be able to pre-order the release. The whisky will be released in the next six weeks and will only be available on the Boplaas online shop after the club members’ allocation.
Category winners of the World Whiskies Awards go on to compete against other winners. All country winners then have the chance to become the World’s Best in their category, with results to be announced at the Global Dinner in March.
For more information, email admin@boplaas.co.za, call 044 213 3326 or visit www.boplaas.co.za. Boplaas is also on Facebook and Instagram.