Towards the end of 2018 our US
Importers, Impex Bev, asked us if we’d consider making our whiskies Kosher as
the Kosher market is particularly strong in the US. This started a process
which recently resulted with the great news that four of our whiskies (Rich
Oak, Myth, Peated and Celt) can now be classified as Kosher, with our Gins and
Vodka set to follow.
_Kosher basically means a product whose ingredients and manufacture are compliant with Jewish dietary law. There are many ‘Kosher’ rules & regulations, some dating back as far as 3500 years,_ _but fundamentally whisky and spirits can be called Kosher if they haven’t come into contact with non-Kosher grape liquors. Our Peated range (Peated & Celt), and our STR range (Myth and Rich Oak) come under this category, and can now be called Kosher with potentially more of our products to follow._
We had
several visits from Rabbi Akiva Padwa who specialises in Kosher alcohol, who
came to evaluate our products and processes
for the Kosher-licensing company [KLBD, and we learned a
great deal from the Rabbi about the fascinating history behind many Kosher
regulations.
Gaining a Kosher
certificate doesn’t just mean that those who follow Kosher practices can now
enjoy our whiskies, but also attests that our manufacturing standards and
controls are of the highest level, as the Hebrew word ‘Kosher’ also means
‘genuine and legitimate’.
Stephen Davies, Penderyn’s CEO, said: _‘We are delighted that a number of our core range whiskies can now be branded as Kosher. This is an important part of our expansion in the US as well as other countries where Kosher whisky is in demand.’_
When we emailed Sam Filmus, President of Impex Bev in San Francisco he replied: _‘This is the greatest news ever! Mazel Tov!’_
Incidentally,
the Kosher branded whiskies are all exactly the same as
before, so those of you who already enjoy our whiskies can be assured that you
can continue to enjoy the exact same product, but soon you will see a small
KLBD mark in gold on the relevant whiskies. Gin and Vodka will get a
certification in the new year and other whiskies as and when they are approved.