Welsh Plan First Whisky In 100 Years

The Welsh are planning an assault against the Scots and Irish after announcing they plan to produce their own single malt whisky within three years.

Distillation has begun to create the first whisky to be made in Wales since 1894.

Makers promise it will be on the shelves on August 24,2003 exactly three years and a day later - the earliest possible time under strict single malt rules.

The mouth-warming brew is being made at a hi-tech new distillery.

Using nothing but pure Brecon Beacons spring water and finest malted barley from the Brain's Brewery,in Cardiff,it promises to be a lipsmacking success story.

After distillation,the whisky is simply poured into oak casks and left to work its magic for 36 months.

Two types of single malt will then be available in the shops - one matured in ex-bourbon barrels,the other in old sherry casks.

Arthur Davies,company director,said "It is going to be a high quality single malt that can compete with the finest offerings from Scotland and Ireland.

"We have spent the past two years perfecting the structure of the whisky,to get the smoothness and flavour.

"We are very lucky in that the spring water we get from the Beacons is very similar to that in Speyside in Scotland,as it is very neutral.

"And Brain's are supplying us with their finest malted barley mash.

"We are now looking for a Welsh name - but not something with too many vowels."