Lake District distillery readies itself for production

The first distillery to be built in the UK’s Lake District in over a century will soon start production after the company received a £250,000 grant.

Artist’s impression of The Lakes Distillery – Cumbria’s first distillery in over 100 years

The Lakes Distillery, which specialises in English whisky, will use the funds to create its site, as well as build a visitors’ centre, bistro, bar and shop on a Victorian farm near Keswick.

Britain’s Energy Coast (BEC) awarded the funds through its ‘Investing in Business’ grant, enabling the distillery to unlock a further £2 million in investment. A £2.5 development figure was initially confirmed when plans for the new distillery were unveiled last year.

Anticipated to become a “key attraction” for visitors to Cumbria, The Lakes Distillery is due to start producing its liquid this summer, while its visitors’ centre, bistro, bar and shop will be open later in the year.

Paul Currie, managing director at Lakes Distillery, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this award from BEC, which has been essential to support our journey to become a renowned premium whisky producer.

“We aspire for The Lakes Distillery to become both a production operation and visitor attraction of excellence to the benefit of the local workforce and economy.”

It was announced in May 2013 that the distillery would launch a Founders’ Club to help raise funds for its planned work.

As part of the plans, consumers were given the chance to own some of The Lakes Distillery’s first bottles of whisky, as well as other special offers and discounts, for a one-off payment of £595. The first 100 casks produced each year will also be set aside exclusively for Founders’ Club members.

The distillery is being built at the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake in the National Park itself. It will contain two stills with a relatively small capacity of 3,500 litres designed to produce a lighter style whisky.

Currie, also co-founder of the Isle Arran Distillery will be joined by former Diageo whisky expert Alan Rutherford, who will oversee production.

Brands to be released by the distillery include The Lakes Gin, The Lakes Vodka and The Lakes Malt.

The Lakes Distillery bottled and released what it claimed was the first British blended whisky, called The One, which brings together a range of whiskies from the British Isles.