If you are a whisky lover, Portugal is probably not the first place that comes to mind when you think of the world's leading producers of this drink, but the truth is that some examples of exceptional quality are beginning to emerge here, and you really must try them.
The pioneering Portuguese whisky brand was born at the Venakki distillery, a small brand that produces contemporary experimental spirits, inspired by a time when things were simply made in the best possible way.
Despite its short existence, it has already won several awards in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021, which described them as ‘Venakki is not afraid to rock the taste buds and provide poignant and irreverent entertainment...’, ‘... sit down, fasten your seatbelt... and hold on tight!’.
The formula is surprisingly simple: the best whisky is distilled by passionate, hard-working people using the finest batches of barley, then refined in high-performance casks and matured in the perfect terroir.
Our suggestion is The Portuguese, a combination of whiskies matured in first-fill barrels of Madeira, Moscatel de Setúbal and Douro (it couldn't be more Portuguese!). The perfect alchemy between terroir, wooden barrels, time and blending skill combine to create this incomparable whisky, with depth and complexity, yet accessible, appealing to both experienced connoisseurs and newcomers alike.
Shall we find out? We bet we've piqued your curiosity!
