Cumbrian single malt whisky breaks records

The Lakes Distillery’s inaugural single malt has broken the record for the most expensive whisky from a new distillery after fetching £7,900 (US$10,500) at auction.

The Lakes Distillery’s first single malt has broken two world records

Bottle number one of the distillery’s first single malt – called Genesis – was sold to an unnamed buyer through Whisky Auctioneer.   

Genesis exceeded the previous world record for the most expensive whisky from a new distillery by £800. It is also the most expensive bottle of English whisky sold at auction.

In total, Cumbria-based Lakes Distillery auctioned 99 bottles of Genesis, which fetched an average of £900 each.

The whisky has been matured in oloroso hogsheads and then American and European oak. The liquid was finished in orange wine casks from the Andalucía region of Spain before being bottled at cask strength.

Genesis does not carry an age statement but is more than three years old.

“Genesis signifies an important milestone in our history, because the first spirit we laid down is now more than three years old and we can finally call it whisky,” said Nigel Mills, CEO of The Lakes Distillery.

“The auction was fascinating and it exceeded all our expectations. We are proud to have not only produced a wonderful malt whisky but to have seen such a demand for the first bottles.”

Paulo Currie, chairman of The Lakes Distillery, added: “This is a historic moment and the success of the auction and the interest in Genesis demonstrates that The Lakes single malt whisky is a credible alternative to whiskies from the world’s established distilleries.”

The Lakes Distillery is also set to launch its first full collection of English single malt whisky, which will be phased over the next four years.