Set Sail for the James Sedgwick Distillery

Away from the popular whisky destinations of Europe stands an award-winning 130-year-old whisky distillery on the shores of South Africa. About an hour’s drive from the city of Cape Town lies The James Sedgwick Distillery, founded in 1850 by the eponymous Captain James Sedgwick. After bidding adieu to the sea, the captain retired for a quiet life by the serene waters of the cape. He soon made his foray into a liquor, cigar, and tobacco business, establishing J. Sedgwick & Co. After the captain’s death in 1870, his four sons expanded the already flourishing business, importing wines, and brewing their own brandy.  And, they did not stop at that. They bought two buildings by the Berg River in an attempt to create their own distillery. Who’d have known that the newly bought twin buildings were to become the oldest and the only commercial whisky distillery of South Africa one day? Standing tall and proud, steeped in history, the distillery offers a breath-taking view of Hawekwa, and Groenberg mountain ranges too.

The distillery is open for public viewing only on Fridays and Saturdays. It offers private tours, permitting only 10 visitors for each session, at the end of which the guests are invited to part take in a whisky tasting session. The James Sedgwick Distillery is home to the award-winning Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish Whisky, and Three Ships 5 Year old Premium Select. If you’re a traveller at heart, and a whisky connoisseur too, set sail for the South African shore, and visit The James Sedgwick Distillery.