WSTA launches English and Welsh whisky trail

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has launched a new trail to celebrate the growth of English and Welsh whiskies.

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association has unveiled its English and Welsh whisky trail

The WSTA’s English and Welsh whisky trail has been inspired by the London and Scotland gin trails and features a map showing the whisky makers across the region.

Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, said: “The UK spirits industry is a real success story. Britain now boasts 315 distilleries – more than double the number that were operating across the country five years ago. We can safely say the growing number of distilleries is no flash in the pan, as we have seen a wave of exciting new Welsh and English distillery projects.

“It is fantastic to see a growing number of English and Welsh distillers now creating quality, award-winning whiskies as well as gins and increasing their sales both at home and abroad.

“In addition to bringing investment and jobs to the UK’s towns and the countryside it also helps to boost tourism and promotes the British food and drink brand around the world.”

The trail features 19 distilleries across England and Wales, with each stop on the map giving details of the whisky producers and the sites that are open to the public for tours. The map also aims to encourage tourists to explore the English and Welsh countryside.

Both Scottish and English whisky production is governed by EU regulations, but distillers in England are not bound by the Scotch Whisky Regulations.

This means distillers in England and Wales have greater flexibility to experiment with different styles of stills, grains and cask types.