The new Penderyn Distillery at Llandudno has been named North Wales’ top attraction at the 2021 Go North Wales Tourism Awards, the region’s tourism ‘Oscars.’
The accolade, which was accepted by the team from Penderyn Distillery – “The Welsh Whisky Company” credited with reviving the whisky industry in Wales after a 100-year absence – was announced at the 30th-anniversary celebration for the organization.
Set in Llandudno, North Wales, the picturesque setting that inspired Alice in Wonderland, Penderyn’s second distillery opened its doors in May 2021 on the 20th anniversary of Penderyn’s launch. The team at Penderyn has been working to bring back the spirit of the original Welsh Whisky distillery at Frongoch, which closed over 100 years ago (mainly due to Prohibition) after receiving a royal warrant from Queen Victoria in 1895. Housed in the Grade II listed Old Board School on the town’s Lloyd Street, the distillery focuses production on peated barley single malt whisky, a nod to what is believed to have been the style of whisky originally produced in North Wales over a century ago. Whisky uses water supplied from a natural fresh spring reservoir that once served the Victorian Lighthouse on The Great Orme Headland.
While there is a three-to-five year wait for visitors to sample whisky produced at the Llandudno location, the new visitor center offers tastings from whisky produced at Pendery’s original distillery in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.
The award comes in the lead up to 2022, which is poised to be the year Welsh whisky obtains Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), joining the likes of Welsh lamb and beef, Caerphilly cheese, and Welsh wine.
A third Penderyn Distillery is planned for Swansea, Wales in 2022/23.
