The burgeoning English whisky category is starting to attract some serious attention as liquid finally comes of age. We present 10 bottlings to celebrate St George’s Day today (23 April).

The Lakes Distillery is seeking to expand its whisky production

Scotland and Ireland have long been well known for their drams, but now England is also starting to produce top-quality liquid and securing a number of awards along the way.

From Yorkshire to Devon, the country has seen a growing number of distilleries open their doors and fire up whisky production.

To celebrate England’s patron saint, we’ve sought out some of the country’s most worthy whiskies, many of which have only just been released after maturing for three years.

Click through the following pages to see our pick of 10 English whiskies for St George’s Day. 

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky

The Cotswolds Distillery, nestled in the Cotswolds countryside, began distillation of its single malt English whisky and English rye in 2014.

The distillery’s single malt is created using locally grown barley and is matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and reconditioned red wine casks.

Earlier this year, The Cotswolds Distillery surpassed its £1 million (US$1.3m) fundraising goal, which will enable the company to expand its whisky production.

The Cotswolds Distillery will use the funds to expand its whisky range with new releases, following the launch of its “highly successful” Founder’s Choice, Peated and Lord Mayor’s Reserves expressions.

The Lakes whisky

Cumbria-based The Lakes Distillery started production in 2014 and as of the end of 2019, has made more than half-a-million litres of alcohol – equivalent to 1.5m bottles of whisky.

The English producer has sold more than 15,000 bottles of whisky since it began selling the expression when it came of age in 2018.

The distillery’s whisky portfolio includes The One blended whisky range, The Lakes Single Malt Whiskymaker’s Reserve whiskies, the Quartrefoil Whisky Collection, and Steel Bonnets, the “world’s first” blend of English and Scotch malt whiskies.

Earlier this year, The Lakes Distillery secured a £3.5 million (US$4.3m) asset-based loan to help triple its production capacity.

ELLC whisky

East London Liquor Company (ELLC), based in London’s Bow Wharf, began distilling in 2014.

In 2018, the producer launched its inaugural rye – the first London-distilled whisky available to taste in more than 100 years. Limited to 269 bottles, the expression was made with a mash bill of 42% rye and 58% extra pale malted barley, distilled in a combination of pot and column stills.

It was followed by the release of a trio of whiskies in 2019. The line-up included London Rye Whisky, East London Single Malt Whisky, and a blended whisky called EL x Sonoma.

Filey Bay

In October last year, the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery released what is thought to be the English county’s first single malt whisky. The three-year-old expression (46% ABV), called Filey Bay, was inspired by the bay within sight of the distillery in the North Yorkshire coastal village of Hunmanby.

Earlier this year, the English producer released its second batch of Filey Bay, which has been created by marrying a selection of Bourbon casks together with one Sherry cask.

The resulting liquid is described as a “light and fruity spirit with flavours of citrus, vanilla ice cream, caramel, biscuit and honey”.

Earlier this month, the distillery extended the Filey Bay range with a limited edition Sherry cask-finished variant.

The Norfolk Grain Whisky

Norfolk-based St George’s distillery released the first legal English whisky in more than a century in December 2009. Their single malt whiskies are released under The English Whisky Company, which was founded in 2006.

The producer releases its products under The English brand, a range of single malt whiskies, and The Norfolk, a collection of grain whiskies and liqueurs.

The Norfolk Farmers Single Grain also secured the impressive accolade of European Whisky of the Year (Single) in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019.

Adnams Single Malt

Suffolk-based brewer and distiller Adnams released its first whiskies in 2013 – Adnams Single Malt No. 1 and Adnams Triple Grain No. 2.

Adnams Single Malt No. 1 has been aged for three years in French oak barrels, and is described as “smooth and rich” with notes of “runny honey, vanilla and apricot”.

Adnams Triple Grain No. 2 has been produced from East Anglian barley, wheat and oats and matured in virgin American oak barrels. It’s described as being “bold, dark chocolate-scented” and with notes of “toasted oak, pepper and orange peel”.

Adnams also released a Triple Malt Whisky, a 47% abv expression distilled from wheat, barley and oats, and aged in new American oak barrels.

In addition to whisky, Adnams produces Copper House Dry Gin, Raspberry Pink Gin, Longshore Vodka and Adnams Pink Gin and Tonic Cans. 

Harvey Nichols Peated Burgundy Cask Single Barrel English Whisky

Earlier this year, British department store Harvey Nichols moved into English whisky with its first own-label bottling.

The retailer partnered with The English Whisky Company to release just 280 bottles of a peated Burgundy cask-matured expression.

The whisky has been peated to 38ppm (phenol parts per million) and fully matured for 12 years in a 250-litre, first-fill Pinot Noir cask from Burgundy.

Tasting notes include toasted nuts, sesame seeds, dried fruit, Christmas spices, dark chocolate and smoked chillies.

The First

In August last year, London-based Bimber Distillery released its inaugural single malt whisky.

The First whisky was aged in Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, which were laid down in 2016 – Bimber’s first year of production.

The five Sherry casks used to mature the single malt were all previously used in a Jerez solera for several decades, while most other distilleries use standard seasoned casks, according to Bimber.

The whisky is made from Bimber’s single farm barley, malted at Warminster Maltings and fermented for seven days in American oak washbacks.

It was followed by a second single malt whisky, matured in heavily charred oak casks.

Dartmoor Whisky

Devon-based Dartmoor Whisky Distillery was established in 2016 and recently released its first whisky.

The Dartmoor Three Year Old Bourbon Cask Whisky was aged for three years in American oak Bourbon barrels.

Master distiller Frank McHardy describes the whisky as having a vanilla aroma, while the palate brings notes of toffee, crème brulee and marshmallow.

London Distillery Company Rye Whiskey

In 2018, The London Distillery Company released a limited edition four-year-old rye whiskey.

Bottled at 54.3% ABV, The London Distillery Company Rye Whiskey LV-1767 Edition is made from 100% rye and is twice distilled. Only 251 bottles were produced.

The expression has been matured for four years in new English oak barrels, said to give aromas of chocolate and roasted coffee, with cinnamon, stewed peaches and beeswax on the palate, finishing with white pepper spice, dark cherry and a hint of macadamia.

Earlier this year, The London Distillery Company was acquired by spirits producer The British Honey Company. In addition to whisky, the distillery produces the Dodd’s Gin range.