In 2010, a whisky club was formed by a group of “Book Club Orphans” in an underground cellar at Mark Forssman’s property in Barbeque Downs. Lars Forssman joined a couple of years later, and the “Viking Kallare” came into being—in honour of our Scandinavian roots.From whispered tales of rare bottles to the thrill of discovering hidden treasures, the world of whisky is steeped in mystery and allure. Every dram carries a story, every sip unfolds a journey, and every bottle promises an experience like no other. It is this intoxicating blend of curiosity and passion that inspires us to gather, share, and celebrate the magic found within each pour. At the heart of this venture lies the excitement of forging connections with kindred spirits, united by a love for the complexity and craft of whisky. At the Viking Cellar Kallare ; we reconnected with old friends Solly and Charles Kramer, and met Jason McEvoy. United by our passion for whisky, we planned several successful launches and events. We worked with brands like Diageo, Edrington, and Kavalan, and hosted international whisky experts including. Our association progressed when Solly suggested opening a “Secret Whisky Bar,” which led us to the storeroom above the Illovo shop. Upon discovering the safe door in Wynberg, the “Whisky Vault,” a private tasting room was created. This initiative, driven by passion and partially. By commercial interests, aims to include various brands and to educate and introduce people to the captivating world of whisky. We have a select group of whisky enthusiasts who enjoy exclusive events: brand launches, unicorn tastings, barrel programs, Vault private bottlings, special whisky functions, and VIP distillery visits. Despite COVID-related delays, the Vault opened in August 2022. Now, the whisky world offers limitless possibilities—expect the unexpected.
Our Story
A book club, a whisky club, two brothers, two cousins, a laughing hyena, the special releases,
the secret whisky bar, the vault door, a space is born
raconteurs, drinkers and collectors
INTRODUCTION
Introducing Andy Watts, a cherished friend and distinguished figure in the world of whisky. Acclaimed for his expertise, we are proud to have him as the inaugural Whisky Vault brand ambassador. His passion for fine spirits reflects the exceptional quality and commitment that the Whisky Vault represents.
ABOUT ANDY WATTS
Andy Watts, renowned master distiller and South African whisky pioneer, has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career. Notably, in March 2021, he was inducted as the 70th member of Whisky Magazine’s “Whisky Hall of Fame,” following his recognition as Global Icon awards winner for Master Distiller / Master. Blender in 2018 and World’s Best Whisky Ambassador in 2020. Andy has been instrumental in achieving global recognition for The James Sedgwick Distillery, Three Ships Whisky, and Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky
Both blended and single grain variants. Under his leadership, Three Ships and Bain’s have on six occasions been awarded World’s Best Whisky in their respective categories at the World Whisky Awards. With 41 years of industry experience, Andy has retired from corporate life but remains deeply passionate about whisky. As the proud owner of the Watts Whisky Company (Pty) Ltd he is now involved in other challenging projects with in the broader whisky community including recently joining Kenny Scheepers at Metanoia Distillery as their Technical consultant and whisky strategist. Additionally, Andy has embraced the exciting role of inaugural whisky ambassador for The Whisky Vault and is now in his third year in this capacity.
The Team
Andy Watts, Lars Forssman, Mark Forssman, Jason McEvoy, Solly Kramer, Charles Cramer,
Phil de Wet
Our Distillery Partners
We partner with distinct companies worldwide, from Scotland’s hills to Japan’s landscapes, to provide you with exceptional whiskies from top producers.
