Penderyn Swansea Copperworks Distillery is now open for Tours and Masterclasses
Penderyn Distillery is delighted to open its third distillery in Wales, in Swansea, at the famous copperworks site, which in its time was the largest in the world.
This distillery follows on from their HQ in the village of Penderyn, in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park, and the Llandudno distillery which opened in May 2021. Open seven days a week, you can choose to visit the shop or book yourself onto one of their tours or masterclasses, via their website.
When you tour the distillery, you’ll have the chance to visit the exhibition area, watch a film about copper, and enter the 'copper tunnel' which will show you what copper smelting was like, but, of course, without the danger!
Then you’ll be led into the Distillery Hall where you can see their unique copper Faraday Stills, which produces an industry high spirit (92% abv). Before completing the tour you’ll also visit the Cask Warehouse and finish in the stunning Tasting Bar for a couple of tasters of their award-winning Welsh whisky.
For those wishing to extend their whisky knowledge, you can book yourself onto one of their Whisky Masterclasses, which is a fully interactive experience that offers an in-depth look into the making of their award-winning Single Malt Welsh Whisky. You’ll enjoy a fully guided tour, as well as imparting their knowledge and experience on the importance of wood and the art of maturation and you’ll also have a chance to enjoy a fun and informative blind nosing activity and learn the protocol of whisky tasting.
Stephen Davies, Penderyn Distillery’s CEO’ said: ‘We knew the site would be the perfect location for our distillery, bringing it back to life and returning copper to the site once again. Swansea Council restored the site, with a Lottery Heritage Grant, and we have leased the site for 100 years, so we’re here to stay. We’re delighted to be in the heart of Swansea.’
The magnificent building, where the Distillery Hall is now housed, was once the Power House of the Hafod & Morfa Copperworks. The Hafod Works, built in 1810 by the Vivian family, provided electric power for the Morfa Works, which was built in 1828 by the Williams Foster Company. After the merger of the Hafod and Morfa works the Power House was converted into the works canteen and venue for social events. However, after two fires in the 1970s and 1980s, the building was reduced to a shell until now, where it’s been fully restored including the wonderful clock tower.
Copper was first produced in Swansea 1717 and, during the 18th and 19th centuries, 10 copperworks were built along a 3-mile strip of the river Tawe in the Lower Swansea Valley. Due to Swansea’s plentiful supply of coal, copper was brought by ship from all over the world, and Swansea copper had become a global industry and Penderyn Distillery are delighted to bring copper back to the site! For more details and to book tours or masterclasses visit www.penderyn.wales/visit
