Anno Distillers launches Kent’s ‘first’ whisky

UK microdistillery Anno Distillers has partnered with Westerham Brewery to create what is thought to be the first whisky produced in Kent.

Anno Distiller’s whisky is available in a gift box containing a bottle of whisky and a flask of new make spirit

Former scientists and co-founders of Anno Distillers, Andy Reason and Norman Lewis, launched the brand’s first whisky on World Whisky Day (18 May).

The whisky came about following a collaboration between the distillery and Kent-based Westerham Brewery, which combined its yeast strain with English barley and water to create the whisky’s mash.

The mash was then distilled in Anno’s 300-litre copper pot still to produce new make spirit at 63.5% abv. Anno Distiller’s first whisky has been matured in a medium-charred ex-Bourbon cask that had previously held Speyside single malt Scotch whisky.

After maturing in cask, the whisky was bottled at 40% abv as Kent’s “first” single malt whisky.

Lewis said: “It’s been a wonderful experience working with Robert Wicks from Westerham Brewery. Our combined expertise has come together seamlessly and resulted in something which we’re extremely proud of.

“We hope those who are lucky enough to taste this limited edition whisky enjoy savouring it as much as we enjoyed making it.”

On the palate the new whisky is described as being “a very smooth, creamy and warming spirit”. It has flavours of caramel, pear, raisins, nuts and liquorice.

The first whisky release from Anno Distillers is available in a collectors’ box set, which includes a hand-numbered 500ml bottle of whisky and a stainless steel flask containing 50ml of new make spirit. The box set is available to buy from the distillery for £120 (US$152).