Boplaas whiskies have received numerous accolades in the past few years, including Best South African Whisky at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards for the 6YO Single Grain Tawny Cask whisky. The Boplaas Single Grain Whisky (Brandy Cask) was named Top Spirit of 2020 by local drinks influencer Fred Hart.

Renowned Calitzdorp winery and distillery Boplaas has re-opened for visitors and direct sales. This comes following an end to the extended lockdown, which prohibited the sale of alcohol.

The wide range of Boplaas wines, whiskies, port, gin and brandy may once again be tasted at their home in Calitzdorp or the visitor centre at Klipheuwel farmstall in Klein Brak. Under the adjusted lockdown Level 2 regulations, both venues are now open on weekends for tasting and sales.

Underscoring the popularity of the Boplaas name is its long history and experience in crafting fine wines and spirits. 

It was in 1880 that the first order of potstill brandy casks was sent to Cape Town harbour by ox-wagon for delivery to London. After the repeal of distilling licenses in the early 1920s, the farm’s copper still lay dormant for almost 70 years until it was fired up again in 1989. 

A couple of years ago, Boplaas bought a new copper multicolumn still and named it Falcon. It was acquired to produce whisky and gin. Since then, Boplaas has launched three new whiskies namely, the 6YO Tawny Cask, the 8YO Single Cask (Tawny Cask) and Rum Cask Finish. 

“Our whiskies tend to be much smoother in a shorter ageing time,” says Boplaas distiller Daniel Nel. “One reason for this is the Klein Karoo’s warmer and drier climate, which accelerates the interaction with the cask wood, extracting more flavours. 

“The annual rate of evaporation of spirit through the cask wall is in excess of 5% per year compared to 1-2% in the Scottish Highlands. The result is that Calitzdorp’s younger whiskies take on the intensity and smoothness of age more rapidly.”