Penderyn Distillery yesterday unveiled its latest addition to the acclaimed Icons of Wales series – No. 14: The Village – at a special tasting ceremony held in the enchanting North Wales village of Portmeirion. The release coincides with Portmeirion’s 100th anniversary, paying tribute to the dreamlike, Italianate vision of its creator, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1883–1978). The name ‘The Village’ is based on the 1967–68 TV series The Prisoner. It’s the mysterious place where the protagonist “Number Six” is held captive, and is only ever referred to on screen as “The Village”.
Crafted at Penderyn’s Welsh distillery and finished in Amarone casks at 46% ABV, The Village celebrates Portmeirion’s vibrant architecture and whimsical charm – an enduring symbol of Welsh creativity and individuality. The release follows the success of last year’s Icons of Wales No. 13: Bad Wolf, which sold out across UK specialist retailers within weeks and achieved a 4.8-star consumer rating on The Whisky Exchange.
A Tribute to a Remarkable Welsh-Italian Dream
Perched on the Dwyryd Estuary, the village of Portmeirion is a masterpiece of 20th-century design – a joyous blend of Mediterranean colour and Welsh coastal beauty. Conceived and constructed between 1925 and 1973, each building in the village bears Williams-Ellis’s unique signature – playful, harmonious, and modernist in spirit.
In 1963, architecture critic Lewis Mumford described Portmeirion as “a fantastic collection of impish modern fantasies” – a phrase that still captures its timeless appeal. The village captivated visitors such as Noël Coward, George Bernard Shaw, Gregory Peck, and music icons like George Harrison, while becoming an international symbol of creative freedom as the filming location for the cult 1960s TV series The Prisoner, in which Patrick McGoohan famously declared, “I am not a number. I am a free man.”
The Village Tasting Notes
- Nose: Ripe fruits and oak spice intertwine with vanilla, cocoa, and delicate honey.
- Palate: Luxurious and full-bodied, revealing red berries, ripe plums, soft spice and a honeyed sweetness enriched with floral undertones.
- Finish: Long and warming, with candied fruit, spiced oak, and subtle grape tannins – a graceful echo of fading light over Italian vineyards.
- RRP: £68.00
Penderyn CEO Stephen Davies said:
“With The Village, we wanted to capture not just the beauty of Portmeirion but its spirit of imagination – a true Welsh original inspired by Italian passion and craftsmanship.”
Celebrating Portmeirion100
The unveiling forms part of the village’s centenary year celebrations. Built from 1925 onwards and officially marking 100 years in 2026, Portmeirion continues to be a living work of art under charitable trust ownership, its 70 acres comprising hotels, self-catering cottages, boutiques and woodland trails.
Throughout 2026, the village will host a series of events, including:
- Centenary Celebration Weekend (May 2-3, 2026): A 1920s-themed party with fireworks and live jazz.
- Centenary Festival (Summer 2026): Four one-day concerts at Castell Deudraeth Fields featuring artists including Sir Bryn Terfel, Jools Holland, and Squeeze.
- Six of One Convention (April 24-26, 2026): The Prisoner fan society returns to mark 60 years since filming began.
The Launch Film with Matthew Rhys
To mark the release, Welsh actor and Perry Mason star Matthew Rhys has created an evocative short film introducing The Village, celebrating the magic of Portmeirion and its place in Wales’s artistic and architectural legacy. The video blends cinematic shots of the village’s pastel façades with Rhys’s narration on identity, place and imagination – now streaming on Penderyn’s official website and social channels.
A National Celebration of Welsh Craft
The Village launch coincides with the Wales Week London festival (21 February – 7 March 2026), where Penderyn is running national tastings and masterclasses highlighting Welsh whisky innovation. Additional celebratory events will follow throughout the year across Penderyn’s three distillery sites – Brecon Beacons, Llandudno and Swansea Copperworks – where visitors can experience masterclasses, single-cask tours, and Amarone-themed pairing sessions.
ENDS
Video by Matthew Rhys about ‘The Village’
Images of ‘The Village’ launch in Portmeirion, North Wales, Wed 4 March 2026
Notes to Editors
- Product Name: Penderyn Icons of Wales No. 14 – The Village
- ABV: 46% | Cask Type: Amarone Finish | RRP: £68
- Release Date: Wednesday 4 March 2026 | Limited Edition Bottling
- Availability: Select UK specialist retailers, Penderyn distilleries, and online at www.penderyn.wales
- Previous Release: Icons of Wales No. 13 – Bad Wolf (2025)