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New Cotswolds distillery provides boost to English whisky
A new English whisky distillery is being built in the Cotswolds, which will produce both single malt and rye whisky.
Artist’s impression of The Cotswolds Distillery
The Cotswolds Distillery, located in Stourton near Chipping Norton, is due to begin distillation this summer, with the first limited edition batch of Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky ready for release in 2017.
The first run of 5,000 bottles will be available to reserve from the end of March 2014, alongside a small number of casks, all of which will be laid down for at least five years.
As well as producing an ultra-premium single malt whisky, The Cotswolds Distillery will also make Traitor’s Ford Rye, named after the nearby ford famous for its role in the English Civil War (1642-1644).
In addition, the distillery will produce a Cotswolds Dry Gin plus a range of brandies and liqueurs made from locally grown botanicals and fruits.
US-born founder Daniel Szor has enlisted Scottish master distiller Harry Cockburn and wood and ageing consultant Jim Swan to aid in developing the distillery and its products.
Szor, who has financed the distillery himself along with funding from his family and the Cotswolds Distillery Founders Circle, said: “Behind our vision of establishing a distillery of worldwide renown, there is long-term investment and a considerable commitment of skills and resources.
“We intend all our products to be worthy ambassadors for the region and certainly aim to produce a flagship single malt that is characteristic of the region’s heritage, and every bit as good and intriguing as whisky neighbours to the north.”
There are currently five English distilleries producing or preparing to produce whisky: The English Whisky Company, Adnams, The London Distillery Company, East London Liquor Co and The Lakes Distillery.
The Cotswolds Distillery expects to produce 120,000 bottles of whisky a year.
Funding for the project comes from Daniel and his family and also the Cotswolds Distillery Founders Circle, which is offering interested investors an opportunity to take part in the project.
The Cotswolds Distillery is a separate business to The Cotswolds Brewing Co., which currently produces Cotswolds Gin and Cotswolds Vodka via Thames Distillers.