The History of South African Whisky

South Africa’s commercial whisky production is relatively young. The Distell Group has been the driving force behind the country’s most recognised brands. The modern South African whisky story begins at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, Western Cape — home to both Three Ships and Bain’s.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky is South Africa’s proudest whisky achievement. In 2022, Bain’s was named World’s Best Grain Whisky at the World Whiskies Awards in London — a feat it has achieved multiple times.

What Makes Bain’s Special?

Produced entirely from South African maize (corn), Bain’s is double matured: first in first-fill bourbon barrels, then transferred to fresh American oak for further maturation. This double maturation creates an unusually rich, complex grain whisky.

Tasting notes: Warm butterscotch, vanilla cream, toffee, and hints of tropical fruit. The finish is long, smooth, and surprisingly layered for a grain whisky.

How to Drink Bain’s: Beautifully neat. Excellent in a highball with quality ginger beer. An outstanding base for whisky cocktails.

Three Ships Whisky

Three Ships is South Africa’s most decorated blended whisky brand.

The Three Ships Range

Three Ships Premium Select — A blend of South African and imported Scotch malt and grain whiskies. Light, accessible, and well-made.

Three Ships 5 Year Old — Aged a minimum of five years in first-fill bourbon casks. A robust, characterful South African blend with genuine depth.

Three Ships 10 Year Old — The flagship. In 2018, it won Best Blended Malt in the World at the World Whiskies Awards. Notes of dried fruit, vanilla, oak, and a pleasant warming finish.

Three Ships Single Malt — Made entirely from South African malted barley at the James Sedgwick Distillery. A genuinely impressive expression.

The Emerging SA Craft Distillery Scene

Boplaas — Eight generations of farming in the Klein Karoo. Their brandy and whisky expressions draw on extraordinary grape-growing heritage.

Van Ryn’s Brandy Distillery — Demonstrating what premium South African barrel-aged spirits can achieve, with aged expressions that stand alongside the world’s finest.

Why Buy South African Whisky?

Genuine quality — These aren’t consolation prizes. Bain’s and Three Ships compete on merit against global production and regularly win.

Price advantage — Premium South African whisky offers exceptional value compared to equivalent-quality imports.

Unique stories — The Western Cape’s unique terroir, climate, and agricultural heritage produce a flavour profile unlike anything from Scotland or Ireland.

We stock the full Bain’s and Three Ships ranges, including limited editions when available. We’re proud to champion South Africa’s finest.