Welkom Almal. Hoe gaan dit met jou hierdie goeie dag? This means Welcome Everyone, how are you doing this good day in Afrikaans. It is a West Germanic language, spoken in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. And why did I use this language? Well because today I'm reviewing Bain's Cape Mountain Single Grain Whisky, a whisky from South Africa. How interesting. Currently I'm looking for whiskies from all around the world, to try them and tick them on my bucket list of whiskies. Recently I reviewed a stellar Canadian Whisky, make sure to check that out too. Now let's get into this African whisky.

About the James Sedgwick distillery, where this whisky is born

The story begins in 1850 with Captain James Sedgwick, one of the greatest South African liquor industry forerunners. Sailing into Table Bay on the clipper, Undine, Captain Sedgwick took refuge on the Cape's beautiful shores retiring from sea and later founding the firm J. Sedgwick & Co. – a purveyor of quality liquor, tobacco and cigars.

After his death in 1872, two of the skipper's four sons continued their father's business, which grew exponentially under their leadership. In addition to selling imported wines and spirits, the company expanded with the sons wishing to create their own brandy and fortified wines and so, the duo purchased buildings in 1886 on the banks of the Berg River, which was once known as Katryntjiesdrift. These buildings are today the very place that house Africa's only commercial whisky distillery, The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington. In 1919 the company was sold to Gerhardus Francois Jooste selling only locally produced liquor. After his death in 1933, his son, Gerhard Danford Jooste, took over the business.

Jooste was in turn joined in the business by his sons and in 1970 sold the company to Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery, which is today part of Distell. In 1977, the brand Three Ships was launched out of a small distillery in Stellenbosch called Robertson & Buxton.

In 1990 the brand had grown to beyond the distillery's capacity and the whisky operations were transferred to The James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington. The distillery is known as "The Home of South African Whisky". Using grain and malt, various blends, single malts and single grains are produced here today under the Three Ships, Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky, Harrier and Knights labels.  

Owing to the South African whisky industry's youth, especially in comparison to the more traditional whisky producing countries, the distillery has become innovative in its approach by experimenting with various styles and finishes, despite following the exact same set of whisky-making 'rules' as in Scotland. In addition, the warmer climate too plays a role in accelerating maturation and flavour extraction from the casks thus resulting in South African whiskies portraying a far smoother texture at a younger maturation age – a characteristic that is often associated with an older whisky. These factors have all contributed to bringing South Africa's whisky to a level where it can compete with the best in the world.

Andy Watts have been responsible for the companies South African whisky portfolio since the move from R & B to Wellington in 1990. Although no longer the manager of the distillery Watts is still responsible for the whisky quality and innovation.

He was awarded the Whisky Magazine's Global Icon Master Distiller / Master Blender title in 2018 and Global Icon World Whisky Ambassador title in 2020 before being the magazine's 70th inductee into their Whisky Hall of Fame in 2021 in recognition for his 37 years of service devoted to establishing South African whisky onto the World Whisky map. 

Bain's Cape Mountain Single Grain Whisky - Natural Color, Non-Chill filtered(?), 40%

"Adding to the exceptional flavour profile and leading the innovation of whisky-making around the globe, Bain's is distilled in column stills and uniquely double matured.

The whisky is matured in first-fill American Oak casks previously used for the maturation of bourbon, first for three years before being revatted into a fresh set of casks for a further 18 to 30 months.

South Africa's sun-kissed grain is world-renowned in the distilling industry for its superior quality. It makes sense then that Bain's is so flavourful, even though its only ingredients are water, yeast and grain.

The warm South African climate also accelerates maturation and the rate of flavour extraction from the oak, resulting in a smoothness normally only associated with much older whiskies."

Nose: Very sweet. Vanilla, brown sugar and sweet corn. Milk chocolate, candies and sweet mango. Banana and pineapple. There are some french toast and butter notes. Toasted oak, and some spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. It's a very aromatic and sweet nose, you can tell that it is made of corn.

Taste: Mouth filling and full even at 40% abv. Quite oily. This is due to the high temperature maturation, same as whiskies from Taiwan for example. Sweet honey, brown sugar, vanilla and lots of toffee. Grilled banana, pineapple and fresh juicy sweet mango. French toast with butter. Oak spice. Cinnamon, cardamom and a hint of overly sweetened coffee. It's almost syrupy. Not overly complex, but it's tasty, smooth and sweet. It's an ok dram, if you like sweet whiskies such as high corn content bourbons or also rums.

Finish: Medium length. A hint of black pepper and oak spice. Coconut, dark chocolate and grilled tropical fruits. Lots of vanilla and toffee. Very sweet, aromatic. It's great.

Overall I think this is a good whisky. Not necessarily one that I would buy over and over again, but it is a whisky that is definitely worth a try. It's also very cheap (around 23 euros where I live) so it's not a big investment to buy a bottle. If you like sweeter drinks like rum and bourbons then you might like it too. For an only scotch drinker I wouldn't recommend. With that said I am giving this whisky 83 / 100, a respectable score for a budget whisky. Buy it, try it. Drink responsibly.

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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. To many more. Sláinte.