GENRE: The accolade recognises international industry leaders, producers, promoters and retailers of the spirit…

By WSAM Reporter

In a first for South Africa, a Johannesburg specialist whisky retailer has been awarded an international prize for excellence at the 2023 Icons of Whisky announced in London by Whisky Magazine.

WhiskyBrother scooped the Global Multiple Outlet Retailer of the Year award from competitors from Scotland, America, Ireland, Japan and Europe, among others, in two rounds of judging to determine the winner of this prestigious accolade. A second international award to be bagged by the retailer, the first being in 2021 when it was awarded the Global Single Retail Outlet by the same competition, presented online due to COVID-19.

Renowned as “the Oscars of Whisky,” the annual awards recognise international industry leaders, producers, promoters and retailers of the spirit.

Reacting to the development, Marc Pendlebury, founder and co-owner of WhiskyBrother, said he humbled by the recognition.

“Whisky is what we love – the amazing products, the people that produce and enjoy them, and the wonderful places and stories from those distilleries,” said Pendlebury. “And as much as the business has grown over the last decade, this passion and love still serve as our ‘why’ and drive our team to offer world-class knowledge and service. This makes everything we do authentic, which has clearly resonated with local whisky fans, who have seen the value we offer and have chosen to support us in all our whisky endeavours.”

WhiskyBrother opened its doors in 2012 with one retail store in Hyde Park and today owns two other in Bryanston and Bedfordview. They launched Johannesburg’s first dedicated whisky bar in Sandton which has over 1 500 exclusive whiskies to taste, and have an online store that delivers nationwide, with the largest selection of premium whiskies for purchase, including frequent limited editions and exclusive releases.

The retailer also offers exclusive whisky releases which are selected by the team directly from the casks and not available anywhere else in the world.  Currently, WhiskyBrother releases on average 20 single casks each year and are on track to reach its 100th release milestone in the next 12 months.

The retailer employs a full-time brand ambassador who hosts an average of four tastings each week nationwide, including The Only Whisky Show, a yearly whisky festival in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Pendlebury said: “It is hard to believe it all started from a simple whisky blog and Twitter account in 2009 to further my whisky knowledge and share my experiences with fellow South African whisky-lovers. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect the brand and business to grow to this extent, to the point where it has established itself on the international stage and can bring home global awards!

“Doing business in South Africa is not easy, and there have been some very tough operating years, but we are proud to say we have quite literally overcome floods, fires and global pandemics, and have not only managed to survive but grow. I am personally so thankful for my wonderful team and our amazing customers. None of this would be possible without them.”

The retailer is currently working on a soon-to-be-announced project that will see the business expand into its first international market.

SA BRANDY’S SUPREMACY REAFFIRMED

GOLD: Unveiling of top performers confirm local spirit’s pedigree in eyes of the world…

By Len Maseko

South African brandy reinforced its reputation as an international powerhouse with a gantry of 18 medals at this year’s esteemed International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

Local distillers bagged half of those awarded to South African distilled spirits at the competition – and also distinguished themselves as the only recipients in the gold. While brandy swept the boards, South Africans excelled across every category from whisky to gin.

Of 17 gold medals awarded in the category comprising entries from 26 countries, two went to local brandies – to KWV 20 Year Old XXO Brandy and Viceroy 10 Year Old Brandy.

“South Africa’s brandy-makers continue to make us proud,” says the South African Brandy Foundation director, Christelle Reade-Jahn.

“These accolades are a display of the world-class quality of our brandies as well as how broadly that quality is spread across the array of brandies available.”

According to Reade-Jahn, the success of South African Brandy is underscored by its pedigree. “South African Brandy has always been a trusted category, and even more so in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

“Post COVID we saw consumers stocking up on products with an authentic backstory, and no category does authentic better than brandy.  It has emerged as the spirit to share with friends when relaxing at home, and the volume growth reflects this trend,” she says.

South Africa’s medal-winning brandies at IWSC were Klipdrfit Export Brandy and Premium Brandy; KWV 10 YO Barrel Select Pot Still Brandy, 12 YO Small Batch Pot Still Brandy, 15 YO Alambic Blend Pot Still Brandy, 20 YO XXO Pot Still Brandy, 3 YO Pot Still Brandy and 5 YO Pot Still Brandy; Olof Bergh Solera Brandy; Richelieu 10 YO Brandy, 8 YO Pot Still Brandy and International Premium Brandy; Van Ryn’s 10 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; 12 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; 15 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; and 20 YO Single Pot Still Brandy; and, Viceroy 10 YO Brandy and 5 YO Brandy. 

events

CHEESE FESTIVAL RETURNS

The highly anticipated South African Cheese Festival is back in Stellenbosch this year with new dates and new owners.

Sandringham Estate will play host to the outdoor culinary event from September 22 to 25.  The new festival owners have revamped the popular event to celebrate all things cheese, wine, and entertainment for the whole family over four days.

The festival will kick off with the facilitation trade between exhibitors and buyers from major retail outlets. The festival will then officially open on Friday evening with a music festival. More than 150 exhibitors will be showcasing the best cheese offerings, along with other food options and multiple wine and craft beer vendors.

The new owners also have plans to bring the SA Cheese Festival to Johannesburg and KwaZulu Natal as early as 2024.

FOOD, WINE & PLANT

Several top South African chefs and personalities as well as an award-winning United King chef will take to the stage when The Plant Powered Show returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from May 26 to 28. They include the highly respected English chef, writer and presenter Tom Hunt; the iconic and much-loved Jenny Morris; plant-based African food educator Jane Nshuti; Chef’s Table Cape Town founder Santi Louzan; Western Cape wild foods expert Loubie Rusch; chef, food stylist and editor of TFG’s MyKitchen magazine, Chad January; head baker and owner of vegan bakery Cinnamon Club, Jacques Kruger.

This year, The Plant Powered Show will also make its long-awaited Gauteng debut when it takes place at the Kyalami International Convention Centre from August 4 to 6. Further details to be released soon. Tickets are on sale through Quicket.

MBOMBELA SHOW

The Unwined Food & Wine Show returns to Mbombela

Golf Club in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, on May 27.

Wines from more than 25 of South Africa’s best wine farms will be up for public tasting at the annual event – all enjoyed in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere and against the backdrop of live music. Food will also be available. Visitors will be able purchase wines direct from the estates.

Tickets cost between R180 and R250

WINE AT CASALINGA

Casalinga Country Estate will play host to the annual Groves and Vineyards Festival on the sprawling lawns of the West Rand venue on May 28.

Visitors will be treated to a selection of fine wines from 45 wine estates, including bubbles, beer, gin, olives, cheese, and artisanal foods, as well as live music from some of South Africa’s top bands. The festival provides a relaxed setting in the serene Muldersdrift countryside where the whole family can come and enjoy the sunshine. Children under 3 are free and are welcome. There will be a supervised area for them to play while parents can leisurely enjoy all the festival has to offer. The event starts 10am.

Tickets cost between R120 and R1 000.

The festival will run over two days with tickets available via Casalinga.co.za with limited tickets at the gate. Please get your tickets early to avoid disappointment