Boplaas Wins Big at 2025 World Whiskies Awards
Boplaas Wins Big at 2025 World Whiskies Awards
Boplaas Wins Big at 2025 World Whiskies Awards
Mar 25, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
Mar 25, 2025
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CALITZDORP, South Africa – March 25, 2025 – Boplaas Family Vineyards has emerged as a rising force in global whisky, claiming top honours at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. The distillery's 10-Year-Old Rum Cask Whisky was named "Best South African Grain Whisky," solidifying Boplaas's growing reputation for excellence and innovation.
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CALITZDORP, South Africa – March 25, 2025 – Boplaas Family Vineyards has emerged as a rising force in global whisky, claiming top honours at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. The distillery's 10-Year-Old Rum Cask Whisky was named "Best South African Grain Whisky," solidifying Boplaas's growing reputation for excellence and innovation.
👉 Sign up for our free weekly whisky newsletter to discover stories from the world’s most exciting distilleries.
“The World Whisky Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality. It’s always very gratifying to be recognised for the lengths we go to in the making of truly exceptional spirits and wines at Boplaas.”
Daniel Nel - Sixth generation Boplaas distiller
“The World Whisky Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality. It’s always very gratifying to be recognised for the lengths we go to in the making of truly exceptional spirits and wines at Boplaas.”
Daniel Nel - Sixth generation Boplaas distiller
Global Acclaim for South Africa’s Boplaas Distillery
Boplaas was also awarded "Best SA Grain Whisky Producer" overall at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, a prestigious competition held annually in London. This comes on the heels of a gold medal at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) and previous recognition from the Michelangelo Awards. Distiller Daniel Nel said, "The World Whiskies Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality."
Global Acclaim for South Africa’s Boplaas Distillery
Boplaas was also awarded "Best SA Grain Whisky Producer" overall at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, a prestigious competition held annually in London. This comes on the heels of a gold medal at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) and previous recognition from the Michelangelo Awards. Distiller Daniel Nel said, "The World Whiskies Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality."
Maturation Mastery in the Klein Karoo
Situated in Calitzdorp, in South Africa's Klein Karoo, Boplaas benefits from a unique maturation climate. The region’s arid conditions and wide temperature variations accelerate the aging process, resulting in whiskies with distinctive depth and complexity. The award-winning 10-Year-Old Rum Cask Whisky is made from South African yellow maize and aged in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing in Dictador rum casks, imparting notes of sweetcorn, candied apple, and warm guava.
Maturation Mastery in the Klein Karoo
Situated in Calitzdorp, in South Africa's Klein Karoo, Boplaas benefits from a unique maturation climate. The region’s arid conditions and wide temperature variations accelerate the aging process, resulting in whiskies with distinctive depth and complexity. The award-winning 10-Year-Old Rum Cask Whisky is made from South African yellow maize and aged in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing in Dictador rum casks, imparting notes of sweetcorn, candied apple, and warm guava.
Standout Releases from the Boplaas Range
Boplaas's core range showcases innovation and quality:
Single Grain (5YO, Bourbon Cask) – R360
6YO Tawny Cask – Creamy, rich, and sweet with a Tawny Port finish; R600
8YO Tawny Cask (Cask Strength) – Finished in 20-year-old tawny barrels; R1,000
10YO Rum Cask (Single Cask) – Award-winner; limited to 700 bottles; R800
The 6-Year-Old Tawny Cask, previously named Best SA Whisky by the Michelangelo Awards, received high praise from Compass Box founder John Glaser, who remarked, "So creamy, so delicious... if Scotland made whiskies like this, more people would be drinking Scotch."
Standout Releases from the Boplaas Range
Boplaas's core range showcases innovation and quality:
Single Grain (5YO, Bourbon Cask) – R360
6YO Tawny Cask – Creamy, rich, and sweet with a Tawny Port finish; R600
8YO Tawny Cask (Cask Strength) – Finished in 20-year-old tawny barrels; R1,000
10YO Rum Cask (Single Cask) – Award-winner; limited to 700 bottles; R800
The 6-Year-Old Tawny Cask, previously named Best SA Whisky by the Michelangelo Awards, received high praise from Compass Box founder John Glaser, who remarked, "So creamy, so delicious... if Scotland made whiskies like this, more people would be drinking Scotch."
What’s Next: Experimental Casks & Innovation
Boplaas is pushing boundaries with planned releases in Chardonnay casks (sourced from De Wetshof and Paul Cluver), Dictador Rum, Straw Wine, Grand Constance (Groot Constantia), Sherry, and Pinot Noir. The distillery aims to introduce two new expressions annually, focusing on quality over quantity.
What’s Next: Experimental Casks & Innovation
Boplaas is pushing boundaries with planned releases in Chardonnay casks (sourced from De Wetshof and Paul Cluver), Dictador Rum, Straw Wine, Grand Constance (Groot Constantia), Sherry, and Pinot Noir. The distillery aims to introduce two new expressions annually, focusing on quality over quantity.
Global Recognition & Strategic Collaborations
Boplaas is gaining global traction through collaborations. They are representing Africa in Cask World's "Continental Series Whisky Box" and participating in Dictador's "Two Masters Project," where Colombian rum is finished in Boplaas whisky and tawny casks.
For more details or to purchase, visit www.boplaas.co.za or contact +27 (0)44 213 3326 / admin@boplaas.co.za.
Global Recognition & Strategic Collaborations
Boplaas is gaining global traction through collaborations. They are representing Africa in Cask World's "Continental Series Whisky Box" and participating in Dictador's "Two Masters Project," where Colombian rum is finished in Boplaas whisky and tawny casks.
For more details or to purchase, visit www.boplaas.co.za or contact +27 (0)44 213 3326 / admin@boplaas.co.za.
Want more whisky stories like this? Sign up for our free weekly whisky newsletter and stay updated on the world’s most exciting distilleries.
Want more whisky stories like this? Sign up for our free weekly whisky newsletter and stay updated on the world’s most exciting distilleries.
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CALITZDORP, South Africa – March 25, 2025 – Boplaas Family Vineyards has emerged as a rising force in global whisky, claiming top honours at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. The distillery's 10-Year-Old Rum Cask Whisky was named "Best South African Grain Whisky," solidifying Boplaas's growing reputation for excellence and innovation.
👉 Sign up for our free weekly whisky newsletter to discover stories from the world’s most exciting distilleries.
“The World Whisky Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality. It’s always very gratifying to be recognised for the lengths we go to in the making of truly exceptional spirits and wines at Boplaas.”
Daniel Nel - Sixth generation Boplaas distiller
Global Acclaim for South Africa’s Boplaas Distillery
Boplaas was also awarded "Best SA Grain Whisky Producer" overall at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, a prestigious competition held annually in London. This comes on the heels of a gold medal at the 2024 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) and previous recognition from the Michelangelo Awards. Distiller Daniel Nel said, "The World Whiskies Awards competition is one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded of its kind. As such, it’s an important benchmark for our style and quality."
Maturation Mastery in the Klein Karoo
Situated in Calitzdorp, in South Africa's Klein Karoo, Boplaas benefits from a unique maturation climate. The region’s arid conditions and wide temperature variations accelerate the aging process, resulting in whiskies with distinctive depth and complexity. The award-winning 10-Year-Old Rum Cask Whisky is made from South African yellow maize and aged in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing in Dictador rum casks, imparting notes of sweetcorn, candied apple, and warm guava.
Standout Releases from the Boplaas Range
Boplaas's core range showcases innovation and quality:
Single Grain (5YO, Bourbon Cask) – R360
6YO Tawny Cask – Creamy, rich, and sweet with a Tawny Port finish; R600
8YO Tawny Cask (Cask Strength) – Finished in 20-year-old tawny barrels; R1,000
10YO Rum Cask (Single Cask) – Award-winner; limited to 700 bottles; R800
The 6-Year-Old Tawny Cask, previously named Best SA Whisky by the Michelangelo Awards, received high praise from Compass Box founder John Glaser, who remarked, "So creamy, so delicious... if Scotland made whiskies like this, more people would be drinking Scotch."
What’s Next: Experimental Casks & Innovation
Boplaas is pushing boundaries with planned releases in Chardonnay casks (sourced from De Wetshof and Paul Cluver), Dictador Rum, Straw Wine, Grand Constance (Groot Constantia), Sherry, and Pinot Noir. The distillery aims to introduce two new expressions annually, focusing on quality over quantity.
Global Recognition & Strategic Collaborations
Boplaas is gaining global traction through collaborations. They are representing Africa in Cask World's "Continental Series Whisky Box" and participating in Dictador's "Two Masters Project," where Colombian rum is finished in Boplaas whisky and tawny casks.
For more details or to purchase, visit www.boplaas.co.za or contact +27 (0)44 213 3326 / admin@boplaas.co.za.
Want more whisky stories like this? Sign up for our free weekly whisky newsletter and stay updated on the world’s most exciting distilleries.
Share on social media
Leave a comment
Other Whisky Industry News

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The Only Whisky Show 2025 Heads to Cape Town and Joburg This August

May 14, 2025
World Whisky Day 2025: Celebrate South African Whisky

May 7, 2025
India Slashes Scotch Whisky Tariff in Landmark Trade Deal with UK

April 24, 2025
Brother’s Bond Bourbon Highlights Earth Month Sustainability Impact

April 22, 2025
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April 22, 2025
How Scotch Whisky Leaders Are Redefining Water Stewardship

April 6, 2025
Brother’s Bond Bourbon Eyes Global Expansion With South Africa in Sight

April 3, 2025
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Get your weekly update on all things whiskey - tasting experiences, news, industry insights, awards & much more!
Created by Stuart Marsden & Romanos Boraine
Copyright © 2025 Craft Cask (Pty) Ltd
Join Our Mailing List
Get your weekly update on all things whiskey - tasting experiences, news, industry insights, awards & much more!
Created by Stuart Marsden & Romanos Boraine
Copyright © 2025 Craft Cask (Pty) Ltd