Following a teaser of what was to come for its 18th anniversary celebrations, The English Distillery has announced an exciting special release.
A single cask of whisky distilled 18 years ago at England’s first modern distillery has emerged from storage with just 60 bottles available at £3,000 each, marking a watershed moment for English whisky production.
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The English Distillery Unveils Cask 001 as Foundation Stone
The English Distillery in Norfolk has released Cask 001, the first whisky cask filled when the facility opened in 2006. The distillery became England’s first registered whisky producer in over 100 years, ending a century-long absence of commercial whisky making in the country.
Created by master distiller Iain Henderson and hand-casked under the direction of founder James Nelstrop, the cask has matured for 18 years in the distillery’s Bond 1 warehouse. The whisky was transferred once to a sherry cask before returning to its original American Standard Barrel, where it remained undisturbed.
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“There’s whisky, and then there’s Cask 001,” says Andrew Nelstrop, Chairman of The English Distillery and son of the founder. “This isn’t just a remarkable spirit, it’s a historical artifact. My father built this distillery from a dream, and this cask is where it all began.”
The English Distillery Partners with Local Craftsmen for Anniversary
Each bottle of Cask 001 comes in a hand-blown decanter created by Langham Glass, a Norfolk-based glassblowing company. The collaboration emphasizes local craftsmanship in both the whisky production and packaging.
The whisky is bottled at natural cask strength of 54.2% ABV without chill-filtration or added coloring. Official tasting notes describe initial aromas of vanilla, red fruit, and sandalwood, evolving to crème brûlée and fresh strawberries. The palate reveals rich caramel with oak and stewed apples, finishing with what the distillery describes as “a lovely long finish.”
Alongside Cask 001, The English Distillery has released the Founders’ Private Cellar 18 Year Old, priced at £395 per bottle. This rum cask expression is limited to 174 bottles globally and features official tasting notes of cinnamon, clove, vanilla, raisins, and tropical sweets.
James Nelstrop, a Norfolk farmer, established the distillery without external investors, determined to prove England could produce world-class single malt whisky. His vision materialized through years of patient maturation and careful cask selection, culminating in international recognition for English whisky.
Both releases represent the oldest whiskies in The English Distillery’s inventory and commemorate 18 years since the company’s founding. The Cask 001 release will begin on September 25, while the Founders’ Private Cellar will become available on September 11.
