The saying “an old head on young shoulders” usually refers to someone who has experience beyond their years, however the quote perfectly describes Carpathian Single Malt Whisky, a premium Romanian brand that is celebrating only its 2nd anniversary this year and making waves across the whisky-drinking world, as we mark this achievement on World Whisky Day.
Romania’s first ever single malt can be classed as a young single malt whisky, but with an old head, born from the finest traditions of single malt production, first launched at an event in Washington DC exactly two years ago in May 2022. In those two years it has become a multi-award winning product that is attracting a new audience to the single malt category and gently disrupting the single malt whisky world.
The two people behind this pioneering and premium product is the founding chairman of the Alexandrion Group, Dr Nawaf Salameh, who became ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ in 2016 and his Master Distiller and Whisky Director, Allan Anderson. Between them, Carpathian Single Malt Whisky has become a flagship product of the Alexandrion Group and a reflection of Romania’s natural, cultural and artisanal prowess.
Both men are driving new thoughts, perceptions and innovations within the single malt whisky industry through this brand. Dr Nawaf Salameh feels that a world-class whisky does not necessarily need to be aged for many years to reflect taste and quality because this comes from the quality of the casks and grapes it has been married with. It is the relationship, balance and expertise of the master distiller, plus the modern and safe environments in which the Alexandrion Group has built for it to be produced in, which are pivotal to creating a great whisky.
This Romanian single malt whisky has been winning a raft of awards at various high-profile competitions, the latest being the double-gold and 98 points, awarded to the ‘Vradiano’ expression alongside two silver medals for Feteasca Neagra and Peated Cask Strength, which Romania’s first ever single malt whisky took at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024.
Putting this in perspective, Double Gold medal winners are selected by the most trusted blind judging panels in the world. To score 98 points is a remarkable achievement for a whisky as young as Carpathian Single Malt Whisky and confirms the exceptional quality and unique tasting notes of Vradiano, which was also recently designated Country & Category winner at the World Whiskies Awards 2024.
Allan Anderson has used his 30+ years’ experience in whisky production across Scotland, Ireland and Romania to conceive the idea of using Romanian casks to mature Carpathian Single Malt Whisky, in the knowledge that the Alexandrion Group had their winery making fine Romanian wines, which led to experimenting with various casks from wineries across the world, and the Carpathian Single Malt Whisky range has grown from there.
This diverse range of ‘finishes’ which continue to be unveiled from the distillery is a characteristic which makes Carpathian Single Malt Whisky distinguishable from many whiskies in the same category and is attracting new audiences to try single malt whisky for the first time but without alienating the many whisky aficionados who insist on quality.
What this boils down to is that the brand is unique, authentic, bespoke and made to the highest standards of single malt whisky production. Carpathian Single Malt Whisky has an extensive range of expressions divided by country collections according to the origin of the casks, in collaboration with some of the largest and best-known wineries from around the world.
In addition to the Romanian collection, the range also includes casks finishes of wine and spirits under the Spanish and Portuguese Collection, Spirit Collection (Cognac, Rum), French Collection, Greek and Cypriot Collection, Italian Collection, as well as the Peated Collection.
The Alexandrion Group has used its several decades of experience as a drinks manufacturer to understand the key trends which are shaping consumer behaviour towards premium products. This includes inspiring narratives, authenticity and origins of production ingredients and processes, artisanal and bespoke expertise, all entwined within the characteristics of Romania’s nature, culture and heritage.
Not only has Carpathian Single Malt Whisky become an international envoy of these characteristics, but it is also managing to attract new audiences to the single malt whisky category which is a great achievement for the whole single malt whisky industry. Most importantly though, is the fact that it is 100 per cent Romanian and something they are very proud about.
For more information on Carpathian Single Malt Whisky, please visit: www.carpathian-singlemalt.com.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of OMOTG Travel & Lifestyle Magazine, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of the Alexandrion Group
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