Three Ships Whisky takes home no less than seven sought-after awards at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2021 – among these a top ‘Best in Show’ award for its Three Ships Whisky 5 Year Old. This superior blend of malt and grain whiskies with its full peaty character and smooth finish was named Best Other Whisky and earned a Double Gold medal. This is a first for South African whisky and an exceptional moment.

In addition, Three Ships Whisky scooped another two Double Golds for the Three Ships Whisky 10 Year Old Single Malt and Three Ships Whisky 11 Year Old Single Malt Shiraz Cask Finish – part of Master Distiller Andy Watt’s annual limited edition Master’s Collection; a Gold for the Three Ships Whisky 9 Year Old Fino Cask Finish – also a limited edition Master’s Collection release; a Silver for its Three Ships Whisky 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky; and a Bronze medal for the Three Ships Select Whisky.

Acknowledged as one of the world’s most prestigious spirits competitions, the SFWSC is noted for the quality of its world-class judges, many of whom are renowned experts in their fields.  Its medals and awards are ranked among the worlds’ most esteemed.

Led by internationally respected Master Distiller Andy Watts, who was recently inducted into Whisky Magazine’s Whisky Hall of Fame for his life-long commitment to the South African whisky industry, the team behind the Three Ships Whisky range produces whiskies of exceptional quality and versatility at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington outside of Cape Town. It is the continent’s only commercial whisky distillery – where Watts has produced the globally awarded South African Three Ships Whisky and Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky ranges for the past 37 years.

‘These awards are very important to us because they place South African whisky firmly in the spotlight – not only as a contender but a winner of global awards – competing among the best in the world,‘ says Watts.   ’Over the years it’s been our mission to change the way local whisky is perceived, and I believe this is happening now.’

‘The fact that a South African whisky secured a lion’s share of medals in this category of the SFWSC is a grand acknowledgement that our own country’s contribution to international whisky making is something to be proud of.  Our own whiskies are now recognized and awarded as among the best, globally,’ he explains.

With an unshakeable dedication to his craft and unwavering belief that South Africa can stand tall among the greatest whisky making nations in the world, there’s no doubt that Andy Watts is a pioneer of whisky who turned the tide for whisky making in our country – at a time when many predicted that producing exceptional whisky here in South Africa would simply not be possible.  

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Three Ships Whisky supports responsible drinking.  Alcohol Not for sale to Persons under the age of 18 years.