There’s something quietly powerful happening in the Garden Route right now. Beyond the beaches, forests, and holiday traffic, a deeper culture of artisanal craft is taking root – one defined by patience, precision, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
The Tour My Province team experienced this recently at Die Spoorlyn Craft Spirits, who were exhibiting at the George Festival, among the historic locomotives and tracks of the George Transport Museum. In this one-of-a-kind setting, the brand offered us a compelling first-hand taste of the Garden Route’s growing craft renaissance.
Taste the Spirit of Die Spoorlyn
The tasting journey moved across their Vodka, Dry Gin, Rum, Brandy (Steen), Scotch-style whisky spirit, and their standout herbal liqueur, Jaagyster. What unifies the range is its coherence: each spirit is distinct in character, yet unmistakably shaped by the same philosophy of purity and taste.
The vodka was notably clean, soft and smooth, with no aggressive heat. The citrus gin was aromatic, lush and flavourful without being overpowering. The rum carried warmth and roundness, while the Steen brandy expressed both fruit and depth with smooth elegance. The scotch-style whisky spirit stood out for its balance – composed, confident, and completely free of harsh edges.
A key insight Nita Southwood shared with us during the tasting was Die Spoorlyn’s use of charcoal filtration, a technique that removes unwanted congeners without stripping flavour. The result is the signature purity expressed across the range – these are spirits that move smoothly across the palate, leaving clarity rather than burn.
The whole range is excellent. Still, if one product truly stood out, it was the Jaagyster. Layered, aromatic, and deeply pleasurable, it invites slow sipping and conversation. For a herbal liqueur it’s delightfully expressive without being over the top.
Well Worth the Journey
Die Spoorlyn doesn’t yet have a strong retail footprint, and that feels consistent with their ethos. These are small-batch, artisanal craft spirits that reward curiosity and direct engagement.
Set within the George Transport Museum, a space that honours movement and history, the tasting experience revealed a deeper truth: the Garden Route is evolving into more than a scenic destination. It is becoming a serious cultural and craft corridor in South Africa’s creative economy. For those who care about how things are made (and why that matters) Die Spoorlyn Craft Spirits is well worth the journey to George.
Visit their website at www.diespoorlyn.com, email info@diespoorlyn.co.za or contact +27 74 898-0437.