Penderyn Icon of Wales Hiraeth: A Single Malt Named for a Feeling

Some whiskies are named after places, people, or casks. Penderyn Icon of Wales Hiraeth is named after a feeling — and a famously difficult-to-translate one at that.

What is Hiraeth?

Hiraeth is a Welsh word with no exact English equivalent. It's often described as a longing for home, or more precisely, a longing for your homeland, your heritage, and your very being. It's a word that resonates deeply with Welsh people, wherever in the world they happen to be — and it made a fitting name for this release in Penderyn's ongoing Icons of Wales series, a collection built around celebrating different facets of Welsh identity and culture.

A Milestone Release

Beyond its name, Hiraeth holds a genuinely notable place in Penderyn's history. It's the first core range single malt from the distillery made mainly using spirit from pot stills, which Penderyn introduced back in 2014. Where many Penderyn expressions lean on multiple cask finishes to build complexity, Hiraeth takes a more restrained approach — matured with an ex-Bourbon cask finish and bottled at 46% ABV, letting the character of the spirit itself take centre stage.

What's in the Glass

The result is a whisky that's elegant rather than showy. On the nose, expect floral notes alongside light oak, vanilla, raisins, toffee apple, and a touch of citrus peel with a hint of lime. The palate is smooth and delicate, built around honeyed fruit, vanilla, and cinnamon spice, with a gentle hint of nutmeg. It finishes softly, with honey and vanilla notes fading into a comforting, malty close.

It's a whisky that rewards a slower pace — one to sit with rather than rush through.

Why It's Worth Trying

• A meaningful name rooted in Welsh language and identity
• The first Penderyn core release made mainly from pot still spirit
• Ex-Bourbon cask finish, bottled at 46% ABV
• Elegant, floral, and honeyed character with a soft, malty finish
• A distinctive addition to any single malt collection, Welsh or otherwise

Whether you're drawn in by the story behind the name or simply looking for a well-balanced, approachable single malt, Penderyn Icon of Wales Hiraeth delivers on both fronts.

Penderyn Icon of Wales Hiraeth is available now at bestwhisky.be for €76,60.