Welsh whisky giants Penderyn are set to bring their unique distillery and bottling plant to Swansea as part of a landmark £1 billion transformation program launched by the city council
Shaping Swansea is set to rejuvenate up to seven different areas across the city and districts, from the Civic Centre to Sailbridge, Oystermouth Road to Oxford Street. The Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, meanwhile, is set to be the site of a third location for Penderyn – having expanded into Llandudno, North Wales last year.
“I speak for all of us at Penderyn when I say how thrilled we are to be making our mark on sensational Swansea,” says Chief Executive Stephen Davies. “The Shaping Swansea scheme is a fantastic transformative opportunity for local businesses across the region – and we can’t wait to bring our bottling to the districts.”
Penderyn’s home distillery is based up in the Brecon Beacons, where Davies and his team continue to run operations as HQ. The brand’s decision to launch a third site in Swansea in March 2023 means they will effectively cater to another corner of Wales – while continuing to impress spirits connoisseurs all over the world.
“We launched our Llandudno site to a roaring success despite doing so during the pandemic,” Davies says. “That success speaks volumes about our team’s incredible dedication to our whisky lines – and we’re also immensely grateful to those who continue to invest in and enjoy Penderyn from home and in bars.”
“We’re confident our Swansea site will help us to upscale our production of old favourites – while enabling our creative distillers to really get their teeth into some new ideas and projects. 2023 is going to be an immensely exciting year for Welsh whisky lovers!”
Penderyn’s continued success post-lockdowns is a testament to the brand’s commitment to pivoting during uncertain times. Launching their Llandudno site amid public uncertainty, both distilleries are once again welcoming whisky fans to tour Penderyn behind the scenes.
Over the past three years, Penderyn and its sister brand, Siddiqui Rums, have continued to sweep international spirits awards – meaning that taste for their home-distilled creations stretch far and beyond Wales. However, it remains crucial for Davies and his team to keep firm roots in the heartland.
“Every bottle we produce and ship is representing Wales, it’s representing homegrown, hard-working Welsh talent,” says Davies. “It’s so important to us to stay true to our roots. When you enjoy a bottle of Penderyn whisky, you’re enjoying the genuine taste of Wales. Our heritage is immensely important to all of us – and while we’re always expanding our lines overseas, we’ll never stray too far from home.”
The Hafod-Morfa Copperworks development involving Penderyn, expected to complete and launch in 2023, is part of an ambitious upscaling of the wider Lower Swansea Valley area, which has experienced significant business growth over the past few decades. Beyond this, the cash injection into Swansea will help to further develop public attractions and points of interest – appealing to both local people and tourists alike.
This particular work is coming to life thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund grants, recognising the importance of Welsh business and homegrown talent. As well as helping to establish Penderyn in the Swansea area, the works will also help to preserve important points of heritage close by.
“As much as this project will be immensely beneficial to Penderyn commercially, it’s also fantastic to be part of a wider heritage project to help protect local landmarks,” says Davies. “I believe the people of Swansea deserve to enjoy these historic buildings for decades to come – and we’re proud to be part of that rejuvenation.”
Penderyn continues to delight audiences of whisky fans all over the globe – but in the heart of Wales, you’ll find not one, but three landmark distilleries – from 2023 – where the brand calls home.
