135 THE NAVIGATOR | FEATURE Tasting Sets, similarly, allow for a deeper discovery of specific producers and themes in the world of spirits, whether it’s a deep-dive into Ballechin & Edradour, or the impressive American malts from Boulder. Customers can enjoy The Navigator books in digital format, and are treated to surprise personal touches, from sample drams to whisky memorabilia. The impressive portfolio of releases available on Spirits South Africa has also seen it become the only South African online spirits retailer to sell and ship spirits abroad. Along with growing the international clientele for NWW’s exclusive releases, such as the Fercullen Single Casks, this has also enabled Spirits South Africa to introduce a global audience to the depth of local distilling talent, making the likes of Mhoba single cask rum available to clients across the globe. “We have seen huge interest from spirits connoisseurs worldwide in what we have to offer, says de Ujfalussy. “We are thrilled to be able to compete on a global stage, with some of the biggest spirits retailers out there.” The interest from global customers has in fact been so strong; that when Spirits South Africa opened sales for its allocation of Hampden’s Single Cask Endemic Bird series – the sought-after ‘White Chin Thrush’ – it had to limit sales to overseas buyers to single bottle purchases to ensure local customers had a fair chance. “We could have sold the entire cask to Europe in minutes!” says de Ujfalussy. “But then what would have been the point of sending it all abroad? We are passionate about giving local spirits lovers the chance to discover unique and exclusive bottlings that they otherwise wouldn’t have access to.” A key driver of sales on Spirits South Africa – both locally and abroad – is The Collectors Corner, which lists for sale hundreds – soon to expand to thousands – of rare, vintage and collectible releases sourced largely from extensive private collections, including the founder of Navigate World Whisky. Relaunched at the start of 2024, The Collector’s Corner page has quickly become one of the most popular sections on the Spirits South Africa site, and is updated multiple times per day with new additions of rare and exclusive bottlings. “There are some real treasures in The Collector’s Corner,” enthuses de Ujfalussy. “You’ll find distilleries not available in South Africa. You’ll find curiosities like Danish and French whisky. There are specific vintages from famous distilleries. You can get lost in there for hours!” Whether you’re a committed collector, a passionate connoisseur or simply curious about where the next steps on your spirits adventure will take you, Spirits South Africa is the place to start. The digital doors are always open! VISIT The Collector’s Corner
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