The English whisky landscape is flourishing like never before, with distilleries across the country crafting world-class spirits that are capturing international acclaim. As evidence of this meteoric rise, the 3rd annual English Whisky Festival kicks off tomorrow in Birmingham, celebrating the diversity and innovation that defines this burgeoning industry.
In light of the festival and the growing prominence of English whisky, the 2024 World Whiskies Awards have highlighted some remarkable expressions. From innovative rye whiskies to single malts matured in varying casks, English distillers are proving their mettle on the global stage. This article delves into the standout winners, offering a closer look at the distilleries, the stories behind the bottles, and the unique flavors that make them must-try drams for whisky enthusiasts.
Adnams Rye Malt Whisky
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: New Make & Young Spirit
Tasting Notes: Christmas cake, marzipan, vanilla, chocolate, black peppercorns, rye bread, raisin fudge, honey, hedgerow fruit, coffee
BUY NOW: $45
Starting off with an interesting rye expression from Adnams Brewery in Southwold, Suffolk. Nestled in a small town on the east coast of England, the brewery specializes in the creation of beers, wines, and spirits.
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The earliest record of beer being brewed on the site dates back to 1345. Whisky distillation, however, is a much more modern endeavor, with The Copper House Distillery officially opened in 2010. At this time, Adnams became the first brewery in the UK legally allowed to install a distillery.
This Adnams Rye Malt Whisky is distilled from a mash bill of 25% East Anglian malted barley and 75% rye before being matured in new French oak for at least five years. English rye whisky is definitely an emerging category, with increasing numbers of distillers trying their hands.
Most of the rye grown in the UK can be found in the south and the east of England, between Dorset and East Anglia.
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Foundry Capstan Single Malt
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: New Make & Young Spirit
Tasting Notes: Cut grass, fresh hay, digestive biscuit, lime peel, vanilla, banana yoghurt, dark spices, liquorice, cappuccino, sweet pea
BUY NOW: N/A
Foundry whiskey (notice how they use the ‘e’) is produced by Canterbury Brewers & Distillers, a founder-owned and operated plant in Canterbury, Kent. Founded in 2011, Canterbury Brewers & Distillers is on the site of the historic Drury & Biggleston’s Foundry that supplied parts for southeast railway lines. The brand pays tribute to these Canterbury workers with their beers and whiskies named Foundry.
This English single malt whiskey is distilled from 100% malted barley and aged in a first-fill bourbon cask. It then undergoes a finishing period in an Imperial Stout-seasoned barrel.
Whilst this English whiskey is currently extremely elusive, according to the Canterbury Brewers & Distillers website, Foundry Capstan Single Malt is due for release again in the summer of 2025.
Foundry Streetlight Single Malt
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Single Cask Single Grain
Tasting Notes: Rich, full-bodied, deep honey, vanilla
BUY NOW: N/A
Another English whiskey from Canterbury Brewers & Distillers, Foundry Streetlight Single Malt was the inaugural launch from the company. This makes the whiskey “the first ever to be distilled within the ancient city walls of Canterbury,” according to the brand website.
The whiskey is distilled from English barley and fermented using wild yeast from the local St. Augustine’s Abbey. It is then aged in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels from Loretto, Kentucky.
Foundry Streetlight is currently unavailable at retail and on the Canterbury Brewers & Distillers website. No word yet on when it will return.
The English Distillery Sherry Cask
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Single Malt
Tasting Notes: Dark fruits, almonds, vanilla, honeycomb, citrus peel, fruit cake, digestive biscuits, honey, figs, chocolate, pepper
BUY NOW: N/A
The English Distillery in Norfolk became England’s first whisky distillery in over 100 years upon its opening in 2007. Testament to the importance of such an event, the distillery was officially opened by HRH The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III.
It was founded by James Nelstrop a farmer and previous CEO of the Nuffield Russia Trust. Born into a farming family, Nelstrop harbored a lifelong ambition to build a whisky distillery. Today, the distillery is run by his song, Andrew.
A pioneering force in the world of English whisky, The English Distillery boasts an extensive range and is unafraid of experimental maturation.
This particular whisky is a fan favorite. Distilled from 100% English malted barley, the whisky is matured in first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks resulting in a rich and full-bodied single malt.
Not only did The English Distillery Sherry Cask win gold in the English Single Malt category, it was also named Word’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards. This certainly sounds like a dram to explore.
The Lakes Single Malt Whisky The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.7
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: New Make & Young Spirit
Tasting Notes: Sandalwood, almond friands, orchard fruits, baking spice, honeyed fruits, currants, dark chocolate, spice, cocoa nibs
BUY NOW: $104
The Lakes Distillery is located in the stunning Lake District National Park in the northwest of England. Nestled in the hills overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake, The Lakes Distillery produces award-winning gins and whiskies.
This particular expression is part of The Whiskymaker’s Reserve series, which is “an artistic exploration of oak and blending; of flavour evolution and defining a house style.” Each whisky represents an area of exploration, with this particular expression aimed at defining a sherry-led signature style for the brand.
The Lakes Single Malt Whisky The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.7 was matured in a combination of Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and red wine casks, resulting in a complex and multi-layered single malt and waves of flavor.
Wire Works Whisky Over Smoke
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: Small Batch Single Malt
Tasting Notes: No official tasting notes available
BUY NOW: N/A
White Peak Distillery is located near Ambergate, just south of the Peak District National Park, on the banks of the River Derwent. Founded in 2016, White Peak is Derbyshire’s first full-scale craft distillery, and the realization of a dream for founder, Max Vaughan. The distillery is located in the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works, hence the brand name for White Peak’s single malt whisky.
Wire Works Over Smoke Whisky is a very limited release of just 1,263 bottles from four STR casks. STR stands for ‘shaved, toasted, and re-charred’, and such casks are a core part of White Peak’s wood program. Developed by the legendary Dr. Jim Swan, the use of STR casks allows casks to be refurbished and reused, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
White Peak Distillery uses two main types of STR casks: 100% American oak, and American oak staves with French oak cask heads.
The casks used in the creation of Over Smoke underwent an additional process of rec-charring over smoke. The whisky was then bottled at 52.7% ABV.
There are no official tasting notes for Over Smoke on the White Peak Distillery website, likely due to its extremely limited nature.
Wire Works Whisky Virgin Oak
Medal: Gold, Category Winner
Category: New Make & Young Spirit
Tasting Notes: Banoffee pie, fruit salad sweets, pistachio, cranberries, treacle tart, toasted nuts, sweet spice, a hint of smoke
BUY NOW: $67
Last but not least, we have another release from White Peak Distillery. This English single malt whisky was distilled from lightly peated malted barley and underwent an extended fermentation with brewer’s yeast, allowing fruity notes to develop.
Then, the whisky was matured in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels before being finished for several months in virgin American oak barrels with varying toast and char levels. The resulting whisky is a combination of sweetness and spice, with the lightly peated malt intermingling with the stunning caramel flavors that are often produced by virgin American oak.
Bottled at 50.5% ABV, only 2,769 bottles have been produced.
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