Lancaster Spirits unveils seven-figure whisky distillery

England-based Lancaster Spirits Company has opened a new whisky distillery and will begin bottling its first single malt in 2027.

Named the Whisky Room, the Lancaster-based facility includes a purpose-built distillery and a warehouse. The site is based in the same location as its namesake brewery in Lancaster Leisure Park.

The design and construction took two years and was achieved through an undisclosed seven-figure investment.

Within the facility is a 3000-litre copper and steel pot still, as well as a range of associated distilling equipment and cask racking. Lancaster Spirits Co said the facility has been specifically designed and constructed to showcase the production, storage and tasting of whisky with a special area reserved for testing the maturing casks.

Managing director Phil Simpson said: “We’ve invested a seven-figure sum to create this new venture for the Lancaster Spirits Company. We first started planning a whisky business during the Covid shutdown and it has taken a few years to realise our dreams.

“A real Lancastrian team effort – our sister company, Lancaster Brewery, will brew a special wash, specifically for the whisky distillery. Lancaster Spirits Co then takes over with the distilling, maturing and bottling of the whisky. Milling, brewing, fermenting, distilling and maturing – all in one place.

“Earlier this year we spent months interviewing people from across the UK for roles with us and ultimately recruited some excellent locally-based whisky specialists to handle the production and commercial management of the business, individuals who will ensure our whisky is of undeniable quality and the business is expertly managed.”

New hires

Lancaster Spirits has hired Christopher Pateman to look after the distillery’s commercial side, who has 13 years of experience in the whisky industry and has held commercial roles at the likes of Annandale Distillery in Scotland and The Lakes distillery in Cumbria.

Joan Casals will join as production manager after previously working at a number of whisky distilleries, including Halewood Artisanal Spirits-owned Bankhall in Blackpool.

On the new position, Pateman said: “What drew me to the Lancaster Spirits Company was the determination to produce something truly special. Every step of the production process has been thought through to make sure that each drop of spirit produced meets our exacting standards.

“At Lancaster Spirits Co we are dedicated to our craft, drawing water from our very own aquifer hundreds of feet below ground, milling malted barley fresh each day, and using an old live brewing yeast that is unique to us, all to help facilitate our 120-plus hours fermentation. I’m genuinely excited about what we are about to do.”

Speaking on shaping the distillery’s production, Casals also added: “Since joining Lancaster Spirits Co, I have been busy commissioning our new distillery and preparing everything needed to commence production this month.

“Our beautiful, shiny new still: Constance is now up and running, after installing the necessary steam, electrics, and water connections, as well as finalising our production plans. Now I can start to focus on the most important element: ensuring that every drop of spirit coming out of our Whisky Room is superb.”

The distillery opened for production last week on Monday 8 July and will be allowed to begin whisky bottling in 2027, after the minimum three-year period is met for a spirit sitting in casks.

The Lancaster Spirits Co Cask Collective (private cask purchasers) is also now available and the Founders Reserve (exclusive bottle club) will launch in the next few weeks.

In addition, whisky distillery tours will be introduced later in the year.

The company already makes both gin and vodka.