In 1887, when Alfred Barnard published his seminal guide to the The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom, he catalogued 129 Scottish distilleries, 28 Irish ditstilleries and four English distilleries.

There were no Welsh distilleries.

And yet, says Sean Williams host of the Wisgi Wales Podcast and founder of Wales Whisky Fest and the Welsh Whisky Society, "distilling can allegedly trace its roots to Wales; to north wales; to a little place called Bardsey Island, where the monks - you know, in myth - distilled a distilate which was pretty much aqua vitae or new make spirit."

That was in the fourth century AD.

"So it's been in our culture a long time," Sean adds, even if "we're a nation of beer drinkers historically."

And aside from a distillery started in the late 19h century and closed in early 20th century, Sean says, it wasn't until the establishment of Penderyn Distillery in the 1990s that the Welsh whisky industry began to take shape.

Today there are seven distilleries in Wales with "more in the pipeline." And Welsh whisky, or Whisgi Cymreig, now has its own GI or geographical indicator status.

In this episode, Sean chats to John about the origins of the whisky industry in Wales; some of the distilleries leading the way; what makes Welsh whisky different from other whiskies; the widespread use of wine casks. And he introduces John to three different Welsh whiskies:

Aber Falls Maderia cask - 47%

Penderyn Copperopolis sweet red wine cask - 46% ABV

Anglesey Môn Bourbon cask - 40%

"If you've tried Welsh whisky, they're not seven of the same type. It is very varied and not one is like the other," Sean explains.

But he continues, "They've all got a story to tell. From the stills to the people, they're completely different through Wales."

Slàinte!

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Socials:

@C2GWhisky

@JohnRossBeattie

Creator & producer: David Holmes

Art work & design: Jess Robertson

Music: Water of Life (Never Going Home)

Vocals: Andrea Cunningham

Guitars: John Beattie

Bass: Alasdair Vann

Drums: Alan Hamilton

Bagpipes: Calum McColl

Accordion: Gary Innes

Music & Lyrics: Andrea Cunningham & John Beattie

Recorded & mixed by Murray Collier at La Chunky Studios, Glasgow, Scotland

Special thanks: The Piper Whisky Bar, 57 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, Scotland

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