For St. David’s Day 2025, we look back to a story from 160 years ago: the voyage of the Mimosa – a ship that set sail from Liverpool to the island of Patagonia.
On the 28th July 1865, 153 people embarked on the Mimosa, sailing for Patagonia to establish a Welsh colony and preserve their language and culture. Times were difficult, but today Patagonia has 50,000 Welsh descendants, 5000 Welsh speakers and holds annual Eisteddfodau. ‘Little Wales beyond Wales…’
Whilst quickly sweeping the concept of colonialism under the carpet, what this whisky does seek to do is genuinely celebrate and collaborate with their Patagonian teulu, and they have done that by, for the first time ever, releasing a blended malt – mixing their own single malt with that from La Alazana distillery, Patagonia – makers of Argentina’s first official single malt whisky back in 2011.
The resultant blended malt whisky has been presented in a distinct bottle to Penderyn’s usual offerings, contained within a wooden box (shaped to replicate the shipping crates used at the time of the Mimosa) covered in stamp-marks, and carrying the story behind the whisky.
The whisky itself is bottled at 43% ABV at its natural colour and without chill-filtration. Bottles retailed around £55-60 GBP when available, but have just recently sold out – with some secondary sites currently looking at double that initial asking price and some remaining retailers thinking that its now worth more like quadruple it!
Nose
Quite a high perfume note initially, with a floral, grassy, and spirit-y start. Sweetness then starts with apple, banana, and toffee. Breakfast pastries and cinnamon round out the sensations.
Taste
A sweet toffee apple flavour on arrival. Very toffee-like in fact, with a soft and silky body and fudgy sweetness. That is seemingly coupled initially however with quite the high piercing alcohol sensation. A couple of sips and you get used to it though and there are more distinct flavours like floral honey and hazelnut chocolate to continue the soft and sweet profile before a nutty element escalates along with oak-led spices like cinnamon and clove.
Finish
A fairly quick tail off from the oaky spices but a soft lingering flavours of egg custard tarts (vanilla, pastry, and especially nutmeg).
Verdict
Quite an interesting drop. It has quite a punchy alcohol hit to it but also remains quite soft on the palate. Not loads of tasting notes or complexity but solid staples in there – sweet, vanilla, custard, pastry, and oak spice.
What’s possibly more interesting is the concept behind it all. The first blend from the brand and it ties in with their Welsh connections.
I do love the idea of making an international whisky connection with an actual Patagonian whisky distillery… I wasn’t actually aware of there being an Argentinian whisky distillery before reading about this but I guess we need to address the old colonisation aspect though… not very 2024/2025.
That said I have had family visit Patagonia in recent years and were able to Welsh with the local residents. They were proud of both their Argentinian and Welsh heritage. It’s kind of impressive really isn’t it?
The Icons of Wales series seems to be really upping the thought, stylings, and presentation of each new release and the idea of the shipping crate box is a winner for me. Such a good idea that I’m surprised that I’ve not seen it before.
I recently discovered the Mimosa landmark in Liverpool which was installed to mark the 150th anniversary of the Mimosa’s departure from the dock out to traverse the Atlantic. Loved that it’s bilingual too.
Back to the whisky, and it’s either the Faraday still from Penderyn or the style of whisky from La Alazana but this feels quite spirit-led. I don’t mean emotionally. I mean that there’s a notable boozy profile to this. Almost like the “alcohol I bought from far away” sensation – an unfamiliar, and ultimately alcohol-led experience, which kind of suits the story of the collaboration. Enjoyable enough and another interesting release to this slow burn of a series – number 11 of the intended 50 releases!
M
Dram disclosure: I purchased this bottle directly from the Penderyn distillery in Llandudno. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
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