Prince of Wales 12 Year Old
70cl / 40%
£99.00
- Cask type: Oak
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Wales
- Chilfiltered: Yes
- Coloring: No
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A pivotal, early 12-year-old expression from the modern Welsh whisky revival, intrinsically linked to its royal presentation.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Welsh Whisky Co. (Inferred: Penderyn) / Wales & Brecon Beacons |
| Category | Welsh Malt Whisky (Likely Single Malt or Vatted Malt) |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 12 Years Old / N/A / Bottled circa 2012+ (Inferred from production start date) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Oak Barrels |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer; likely added caramel for consistency |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer; likely chill-filtered at 40% ABV |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer; presumed limited initial output |
| Intended channel | Specialist retail / Commemorative |
| Packaging | Standard glass bottle housed in a cardboard presentation tube |
| Notes on discrepancies | This must have been bottled no earlier than 2012 (distillation began 2000), placing it among the distillery's very first double-digit age-statement releases. The market severely undervalues this historical importance, pricing it as a commodity. |
Historical Context
This bottle is fundamentally tied to the re-establishment of whisky production in Wales after a long hiatus. The Welsh Whisky Company (Penderyn) commenced distillation in the year 2000. The commercial launch in 2004 was marked by HRH Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), and this brand designation acts as a direct historical marker commemorating this foundational moment of the Welsh whisky revival. This 12 Year Old represents a critical early release focused on marking chronological milestones.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The 12 Year Old is bottled at 40% ABV in a standard 70cl volume. The product sits within a small family of early age-stated expressions, with a documented 10 Year Old Single Vatted Malt variant confirming the use of blended malt techniques within the brand’s initial portfolio.
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 40% | 70cl | UK/Collector | Cardboard tube, "Welsh Malt" label | Medium-Low (Historical Curiosity) |
| 40% | 50cl | UK/Collector | "Single Vatted Malt 10 Year Old" variant | Medium (Precursor to the 12 Year Old) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
The 12 Year Old is typically presented in a cardboard tube. The condition of this presentation packaging is a significant factor in collector value. Collectors should seek examples with an intact tube and a clear, legible label confirming the "12 Year Old" statement. Due to the inferred post-2012 bottling date, ullage should be minimal, and fill levels should be high.
Regulatory/terminology notes
Welsh Whisky is subject to UK and local Welsh regulations, requiring a minimum of three years maturation in wood. The use of the term "Welsh Malt Whisky" provides flexibility regarding whether the product is a single malt or a vatted malt. The extremely low auction prices documented for this bottling (£12.50 to £18.00) are disproportionate to its historical importance as one of the first 12-year-old whiskies from the modern Welsh industry.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
Detailed, independent tasting notes for this specific bottling are largely absent, reflecting its niche circulation.
- Nose: Expected to be light, clean, and dominated by fruity notes derived from Penderyn's unique still, complemented by subtle input from the oak maturation.
- Palate: Characteristically smooth and gentle due to the 40% ABV.4 The profile would feature clean cereal sweetness and balanced wood elements, potentially leaning toward vanilla and soft spice.
- Finish: Clean, moderate, and approachable.
- With water: Undocumented, but the low bottling strength makes the addition of water unnecessary and risks undue dilution.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
The Welsh Whisky Company (Penderyn Distillery) established itself as the flagship of modern Welsh spirit production.5 The house style is founded upon the unique Faraday still, resulting in a spirit prized for its clean, light, and fruity complexity. This brand appeals to buyers seeking sophisticated, non-traditional single malt styles and those interested in pioneering European distillations.
Sourcing
- Target formats/eras: The 70cl, 12 Year Old expression in its original cardboard tube is the target. Early age-statement bottlings from Penderyn’s first decade of operation are primary targets.
- Red flags to avoid: Bottles lacking the original presentation tube or showing signs of significant physical damage or low fill.
- Condition thresholds: An intact presentation tube is crucial for maximizing historical collector value. The label must be fully legible.
- Margin/velocity expectations: Velocity will be very low. Margin relies on acquiring stock near the low auction prices and repositioning it based on the verifiable historical narrative.
