Ondjaba The Namibian Whiskey - Classic (70cl, 46%)

A Namibian triple grain whiskey from Ondjaba, made by the Erongo Mountain Winery and bottled at 46% in a 70cl bottle. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. The grain is smoked over elephant dung instead of peat, and the recipe includes mahangu, the local pearl millet. After repeated distillation it matures in new and used oak, including red wine barriques from the winery. The name means elephant in the language of the Ovambo, which the motif on the bottle reflects. It won a gold medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The nose is malty and tobacco-like, with raspberry, incense and singed sandalwood. Vanilla and caramel open the palate, followed by firm oak and tannins, mild fruit and light smoke. The finish is medium in length, with spicy tobacco smoke and bright fruit.