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15th August 2025 |
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Review of the
recently released PRAKAAN
Tribura Series, Thailand's first single malt whiskies
which launched with 3 whiskies, PRAKAAN
Select Cask, PRAKAAN
Double Cask
and PRAKAAN
Peated Cask, all produced in a very
Scotch like way but matured in quite
unique underground warehouses.
Building on its
strong debut in domestic and Asian
markets last year, International
Beverage recently announced the global
launch of PRAKAAN, Thailand’s first
premium single malt whisky.
Produced at the PRAKAAN Distillery
located in Kamphaeng Phet, northern
Thailand, the
whisky takes its name from the Thai word
for "fort", honouring the historic
defensive wall that once encircled the
town. The launch
introduced three distinct expressions:
PRAKAAN Select Cask, PRAKAAN Double
Cask, and PRAKAAN Peated Malt which
together form The Tribura Series
— a trio of whiskies that pay homage to
the three layers of that ancient wall.
The
PRAKAAN Distillery Production Process
PRAKAAN Distillery draws its water from
a pristine natural spring found 200 to
400 metres underground. The distillery
uses both unpeated and peated barley (45
ppm), imported from the UK, to craft its
whiskies. Milling is handled by a
high-capacity Bühler roller mill,
capable of processing 3 tons per hour.
Mashing takes place in a stainless steel
mash tun with a volume of 40 m³,
designed to handle 8 tons of malt per
batch. Fermentation is carried out over
65 hours in 12 stainless steel
washbacks, each with a 40 m³ capacity,
allowing for consistent and controlled
fermentation.
Distillation is conducted using
traditional copper pot stills, made in
Scotland by Forsyth & Sons Ltd. The
process begins with two ball-shaped wash
stills standing 6.58 metres tall,
followed by a second distillation in two
similarly shaped spirit stills, each
5.59 metres in height.
Maturation is particularly distinctive
at PRAKAAN. The whisky is aged in two
underground warehouses, built 3 metres
below the surface and covered with 4
metres of soil to provide natural
temperature and humidity control. These
warehouses can each hold between 30,000
and 50,000 casks. Maturation takes place
in a mix of American ex-bourbon barrels
and Spanish ex-sherry oak casks, all
stored on pallets for optimal space
efficiency and consistent aging.
As for the distillery’s first production
date, no official information has been
released—though it’s likely production
began at least three to four years ago.
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PRAKAAN Select Cask Review
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Aged in Ex-Bourbon Oak casks.
Bottled at 43% ABV. RRP £65 / €59 /
$69.99 / ¥10,600.00
William
Morrison's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A
fragrant interplay of creamy vanilla and
sweet toffee, gentle layers of sultana,
honey, and orchard fruits emerge, joined
by subtle cinnamon and some lovely hints
of zesty lemon cake.
Taste: Deliciously
rich and indulgent, leading with creamy
vanilla custard infused with caramelised
pineapple and interlaced with a barley
sugar candy sweetness, lemon citrus,
chewy toffee, more orchard fruits all
with lightly oak spiced undertones which
simply adds depth to the flavour
pleasure.
Finish: Long
and satisfying, with lingering brown
sugar, a wee touch of cinnamon, creme
brûlée notes, and a gentle echo of ripe
tropical and orchard fruit mix.
Comment:
An attractive mix of barley sugar
enhanced vanilla, toffee, tropical and
orchard fruits, with subtle oak spice. A
quality, very drammable example of a
ex-Bourbon cask matured whisky, which
shows maturity beyond its years.
SMW Whisky Score
87/100
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PRAKAAN Double Cask Review
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Aged in Ex-Bourbon and Sherry Oak casks.
Bottled at 43% ABV. RRP £74 / €69 /
$89.99 / ¥12,200.00
William
Morrison's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A
rich and layered aroma opens with
vanilla custard and sweet juicy raisin
and sultana. Behind that lies a decadent
fusion of tropical fruits—mango and
pineapple—wrapped in dark chocolate and
sweet pastry. Hints of stewed apple and
candied lemon citrus peel add depth,
while subtle oak and spice provide
structure.
Taste: Deliciously
rich and full-bodied, sweet sugared
raisin and sultana, red apple, poached
pears, and slightly syrupy pineapple.
Toffee notes build toward richer
undertones of dark chocolate, charred
oak, and gentle spice. The sweetness is
tempered by a touch of savoury depth.
Finish: Long
and smooth with oaky and leathery tones,
still slightly sugar charged, raisin,
still a hint of dark chocolate, a late
touch of coffee and a light touch grated
orange zest. Slightly drying oak wins
the tussle in the end.
Comment:
A deep, rich, and inviting dram. The
combination of vanilla custard, tropical
fruit, dark raisins, pastry, and
chocolate imparted by the cask influence
has no doubt added to the complexity and
overall pleasure, a quality youngish
Ex-Bourbon and Sherry Oak cask matured
whisky.
SMW Whisky Score
88/100
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PRAKAAN Peated Malt Review
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A unique Smoky Character Whisky.
Bottled at 43% ABV. RRP £69 / €64 /
$79.99 / ¥ 11,100.00
William
Morrison's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: An
inviting, gently sweet peat character is
beautifully balanced by soft tropical
fruits and barley sugar. Subtle notes of
vanilla, zesty lemon and orange, a hint
of oak spice, and a whisper of sultana
fruit linger in the background.
Taste: Deliciously
creamy, vanilla-laced peat rides in on a
wave of bold sugars, filling every
corner of the palate. Zesty lemon, a
touch of rich butterscotch, oak spice,
and a touch of sultana fruit follow,
adding depth and balance.
Finish: Deliciously
long, with the gentle cream sherry
taking centre stage as the sweet notes
and gentle peat cling to the palate. It
slowly fades, leaving a lasting
impression of oak spice and a gentle
late touch of liquorice.
Comment:
PRAKAAN does not reveal what the
contributing casks are here for their
Peated Malt but I am sure there are
ex-Bourbon and sherry casks at play here
and a delicious balance of them. Not too
many sherry casks in the mix to
overwhelm the bourbon, both cask types
have their say here, I would say this is
as near as perfect balance of bourbon
and sherry cask as you would want for
the young PRAKAAN whisky. An outstanding
peated Thai single malt, I am guessing
it would be stunning at higher strength
SMW Whisky Score
91/100
Ranging in price between £65 - £74 / €59
- €69 / $70 - $90 / ¥ 10,600 - ¥12,200,
PRAKAAN single malt whisky is bottled in
70cl and is available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
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Where To Buy Whisky Online
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specialist Whisky shops who delivers to
you:
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