Three Ships

Three Ships is a South African whisky distilled at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, South Africa, and owned by Heineken Beverages. The distillery was established in 1886, and the brand's own account has it making the first commercial whisky in Africa from 1977. It is named after Captain James Sedgwick, a mariner, and the brand takes its name from his understanding that uncharted waters were sailed with three ships: one to navigate and set the pace, one to provide supplies and one to sail into shallow waters.

Everything happens at one site: the James Sedgwick Distillery handles the whole process, from milling the raw ingredients through to maturation and blending, with more than 150 000 casks in maturation at any one time. Yeast is added to the wort and ferments for approximately 72 hours to create low wines. Malt whisky is distilled in copper pot stills and grain whisky in continuous column stills. Casks are hand-selected, and because the wood is porous, 3-5% of the whisky is drunk by the barrel or lost to evaporation, known as the angel’s share.

Three Ships is served neat, on the rocks, or topped up. Select is poured 25-50ml with water, soda or ginger ale; the 5 Year Old 25-50ml with water, soda or ginger beer; the 10 Year Old 25-50ml with sparkling water or soda; and Mash Tun 35-50ml with soda or cola. For a longer drink, the Kasi Flame tops 35-50ml Select with ginger ale and a naartjie wedge.

• World Whiskies Awards World’s Best Blended Whisky , 2012 Three Ships 5 Year Old Premium Select
• International Wine and Spirit Competition Gold Outstanding medal , 2015 Three Ships 5 Year Old Premium Select
• World Whiskies Awards Best African Single Malt , 2015 Three Ships Single Malt
• International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold medal , 2018 Three Ships Whisky 10 Year Old Single Malt Vintage 2005
• San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double gold medal , 2018 Three Ships Whisky Bourbon Cask Finish
• World Whiskies Awards Category winner , 2020 Three Ships Whisky Select