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Metanoia Signature South African Single Malt Review

What should we expect from one of South Africa's newest distilleries? We taste Metanoia's Signature Single Malt, matured in ex-red wine barrels and bottled at 48.6% ABV.

OVERALL RATING

7
$55
  • Genevieve is a South African whisky enthusiast with a PhD in Philosophy and founder of Kenton on Whisky, a coastal tasting venture.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Founded by Kenny Scheepers, Metanoia is one of South Africa’s newest whisky distilleries. After purchasing a neglected farm in the Tradouw Valley near Barrydale in 2015, Scheepers spent several years restoring it before developing it into Metanoia Permaculture Farm & Distillery.

The distillery is currently a fairly small operation, producing whisky in limited batches on a German-made Müller copper pot still. A number of releases to date are single casks with only a few hundred bottles available. While the distillery produces a range of spirits, its whisky programme has attracted attention through a collaboration with renowned South African whisky maker Andy Watts.

Metanoia’s Signature Single Malt is said to be an ongoing release. It’s crafted in small batches comprised of just four to eight casks at a time. Matured predominantly in Rupert & Rothschild ex-red wine barrels, it’s non-chill filtered, naturally coloured, and bottled at 48.6%.
Appearance:
Warm amber
Nose:
Fresh green grapes and sweet mulberries lead the way before giving way to the aroma of dusty books. Creamy vanilla soon emerges, accompanied by hints of tart cranberries. Some milk chocolate and candy-coated nuts.
Palate:
Baking spices arrive first, bringing a gentle warmth that’s followed by dark chocolate. Almonds and a touch dried fruit and oak. Despite its healthy 48.6% ABV, I found that the whisky is surprisingly light-bodied, giving it an approachable, easy-drinking character.
Finish:
Medium in length, drying and gently oaky, with lingering peppery prickle.
Comments:
I found Metanoia Signature Single Malt to be an enjoyable whisky. It’s layered enough to reward attention, and easy to drink without being simple. At 48.6% ABV it drinks with surprising restraint, making it an approachable introduction to one of South Africa’s newest whisky distilleries. With a Signature Rye already joining their core range alongside this release, it’ll be fascinating to see how Metanoia continues to develop in the years ahead.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Genevieve Jacot-Guillarmod

Genevieve is a whisky enthusiast from South Africa with a PhD in Philosophy, so she enjoys both drinking and thinking about whisky. She loves tasting new whiskies whenever she gets the chance - so much so that a few years ago she set up a small whisky tasting business, "Kenton on Whisky", in the tiny coastal town where she lives (this also serves as an excellent excuse to grow her selection of whiskies beyond reasonable limits).

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