There is a saying: “an old head on young shoulders” which usually refers to someone who has experience beyond their years. However, the quote perfectly describes Carpathian Single Malt Whisky, a premium Romanian brand celebrating only its 2nd anniversary, but making waves across the whisky-drinking world.
Romania’s first ever single maltcan be classed as a young single malt whisky, but with an old head, born from the finest traditions of single malt production. It was launched at an event in Washington DC in May 2022, but in a very short space of time, it has become a multi-awarded brand that is making waves across the entire whisky-drinking world and attracting a new audience to the single malt category.
On that basis, it could also be said that Carpathian Single Malt Whisky is gently disrupting the single malt whisky world. The dynamic duo behind this pioneering and premium brand, is the founding chairman of the Alexandrion Group, Dr Nawaf Salameh, who became ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ in 2016 and his Master Distiller & Whisky Director, Allan Anderson. Between them, Carpathian Single Malt Whisky has become a flagship brand of the Alexandrion Group and a reflection of Romania’s natural, cultural and artisanal prowess.
Through this brand, both men are driving new thoughts, perceptions and innovations within the single malt whisky industry. 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 a great whisky.
Maybe the Alexandrion’s visionary leader, not only has a point, but is being proved correct with his Romanian single malt winning a raft of awards at various high-profile competitions. The latest accolade to shine a spotlight on Carpathian Single Malt Whisky is the double-gold and 98 points, awarded to the ‘Vradiano’ expression alongside two silver medals for Fetească Neagră & Peated Cask Strength, which Romania’s first ever single malt whisky took at the ‘San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024’.
To put this in perspective, Double Gold medal winners are selected by the most trusted blind judging panels in the world. To score 98 points in the ‘San Francisco World Spirits Competition’ is an incredible achievement for a whisky as young as Carpathian Single Malt Whisky. This Double-Gold medal reconfirms 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 more than 30-years-experience in whisky production across Scotland, Ireland and Romania (an achievement only he can lay claim to have done) to conceive the idea of using Romanian casks to mature Carpathian Single Malt Whisky, especially in the knowledge that the Alexandrion Group had their winery making fine Romanian wines. This then led on to a quest to experiment 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 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 insistent on quality, quality, quality!
What this all means 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.
Additional to the Romanian collection, the range also includes casks finishes of wine and spirits under the Spanish and Portuguese Collection, Spirit Collection (Cognac, Rhum), French Collection, Greek and Cypriot Collection, Italian Collection, as well as the Peated Collection.
It seems almost inconceivable that in 2022 Romania’s first-ever single malt whisky was produced in a country with two-millennia of viticultural legacy. However, the piece of the puzzle that was missing was a visionary and innovative entrepreneur and leader, willing to take a calculated risk in ‘disrupting’ the single malt whisky sector and able to spot a commercial opportunity resting within the traditional heritage and fabric of a deeply beautiful and nature-filled nation.
The Alexandrion Group has used 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 over-arching framework and characteristics of Romania’s nature, culture and heritage.
Not only has Carpathian Single Malt Whisky become an international envoy of these characteristics it is securing new audiences to the single malt whisky category and this is great for the whole single malt whisky industry.
This reflects the ethos, the philanthropy and ideology of the Alexandrion group and why the founding chairman became ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ in 2016. Carpathian Single Malt Whisky is changing perceptions, changing the sector and changing minds. The most important aspect is that it is 100% Romanian and something to be very proud about!
