The Distell Group, an African producer and marketer of a selection of top-quality spirits, wines, ciders and other ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, is commemorating the 100 year legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela by releasing a limited-edition gift pack comprised of a 750-ml bottle of Van Ryn’s 27-year-old potstill brandy, and a 750-ml bottle of Bain’s 15-year-old single grain whisky. Only 2,000 of these special packs have been produced, intended as gifts for a hand-picked selection of prominent guests who attended the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture at the Wanderers Stadium in Illovo, Johannesburg. The lecture, ahead of Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, was delivered by former U.S. President, Barack Obama. “It’s an incredible honor for Distell and two of its award-winning brands to be part of this year’s centennial celebrations, paying homage to the memory of Nelson Mandela, his leadership, as well as the unbelievable milestones he achieved during his lifetime,” said Dennis Matsane, who heads up Distell’s communications department, in a statement. “We are both humbled and excited to be involved and to share two exclusive, limited-edition alcoholic beverages with some of those attending the annual lecture.” The brandy and whisky expressions were selected to symbolize connections to Mandela. “The Van Ryn’s 27-year-old brandy reflects the period of time (27 years) that Mandela spent behind bars, split between Robben Island, Pollsmoor and Victor Verster prisons,” Matsane said. “Meanwhile, the 15-year-old Bain’s whisky expresses 15 years since the launch of the 46664 HIV/AIDS awareness and social justice campaign that aims to honor Mandela’s humanitarian nature.”