How to be the first to savour Three Ships Whisky’s ‘whisky of the millennium’

It’s been crafted over 21 revolutions around the sun. Now the whisky of the millennium is about to be released. Introducing Three Ships Whisky Millennium — Three Ships Whisky's oldest and most complex single malt to date.

Only 1,202 bottles of this extraordinary sip have been produced, and it all started at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington 21 years ago.

“While the world entered the eve of the 20th century with much trepidation, preparing for the possibility of a computer-induced apocalypse, our master distiller Andy Watts spent some time in the maturation cellar with optimism and foresight, for he knew that in the coming decades, there would be a spectacular whisky,” says Three Ships Whisky's marketing manager Meryll Stocks Roos.

The resulting Three Ships Whisky Millennium 21-Year-Old Single Malt is a tribute to Watts’s unwavering dedication and innovation in creating award-winning South African whisky. This is something he has been lauded for time and again; most notably when he received the great honour of being inducted into Whisky Magazine’s Global Whisky Hall of Fame in 2021.

Watts explains what makes this new limited-edition so “exceptional”: For 10 years, the single malt stayed in ex-bourbon American oak casks before being revatted to 300l hogsheads for a further five years. “It matured for the remaining six years in seasoned Oloroso casks and older ex-bourbon American oak. I kept moving it around to ensure the balance between the extracted flavours and oak interaction remained.”

The whisky is presented in its purest form — non-chill filtered, natural in colour, and at a strength of 51.8%. It has a rich, dark amber hue and the mouth is warm with peppery, savoury aromas, and lingering nutmeg and spice. The finish is salty with an impressive softness of spice and delicate sweetness. 

A landmark whisky deserves equally special packaging, so each commemorative box of the Three Ships Whisky Millennium features a hidden UV artwork depicting 21 years of the brand’s progress and innovation. This secret artwork will only be seen by those lucky enough to get their hands on a bottle.

Be the first to savour Three Ships Whisky Millennium

Whisky collectors, take note: 400 of the only 1,202 bottles of Three Ships Whisky Millennium produced will be released for sale online at noon on April 20.

To be sure not to miss out on this opportunity to secure your bottle, register for the sale now at millennium.threeshipswhisky.co.za

This article was paid for by Three Ships Whisky.

^{Three Ships Whisky supports responsible drinking. Alcohol not for persons under the age of 18 years.}