English whisky

English whisky

Type	Distilled beverage
Country of origin	England
Introduced	Est./ Re-est. 1636 [a] 2003;22 years ago (2003) [2]
Discontinued	1905
Alcohol by volume	40% [3] – 67.9% [4]
Related products	Scotch, Irish whiskey, Welsh whisky
Website	EWG [5]

English whisky (whiskey ^[b] ) is a liquor made from cereal grains, malt and water that is produced in England. ^{[7] [8]} This includes malt whisky and grain whisky. ^{[9] [10]}

Although England is not well known for whisky production, distillers operated in London, Liverpool and Bristol until the late 19th century, after which production of English single malt whisky ceased until 2003. ^[2] By 2016, it had resurged. ^[11]

In 2024 there were 20 brands of English whisky. ^[12]

History

Origins and discontinuation

In 1636 the Worshipful Company of Distillers were granted a charter to produce spirits, including whisky, in of the City of London. ^[13]

The Distiller of London title page

In 1825, the Chancellor of the Exchequer reduced the duty on alcohol and permitted distillers to sell directly to the public. The government believed this would encourage distillers to produce higher quality spirits, eliminating the dangerous rectification process. These changes were expected to bolster distillers prosperity and generate revenue for the treasury. The reduction in alcohol duty led to a near doubling of English spirit consumption and solidified England's reputation for distilling excellence. Coupled with the introduction of cask-aged English whisky, this boosted demand for English spirits, which accounted for one-sixth of England's revenue by 1885. ^[14]

In the 1887 book The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom by Alfred Barnard, the following English distilleries were listed: ^[15]

• Lea Valley Distillery, Stratford, Essex (founded in the late 19th century) — produced both grain and malt whisky.
• Bank Hall Distillery, Liverpool — produced grain and malt whisky.
• Bristol Distillery, Bristol (founded in the 17th century) — produced grain whisky which was "sent to Scotland and Ireland to make a Blended Scotch and Irish whisky, for whisky purpose it is specially adapted, and stands in high favour".^{[ citation needed ]}
• Vauxhall Distillery in Vauxhall, Liverpool (founded in 1781) — produced grain whisky.

In 1903 Lea Valley Distillery, in Stratford owned by The Distillers Company Limited closed and moved their production to Scotland due to the expanding popularity of gin and the taking off of Scotch whisky. ^[16]

Re-establishment

In 2005, The English Whisky Co. Ltd. received permission to construct the first registered whisky distillery in England in over a century. ^[17] Its initial release of single malt whisky arrived in 2009, marking the first bottling and release of English whisky in over 100 years. In 2013, The London Distillery Company began production of the first single malt whisky in London since Lea Valley Distillery closed in 1903. Three other English distilleries, also producing whisky by 2014, were The Cotswolds Distillery, Ludlow Distillery, and The Lakes Distillery. ^[18]

Definition

A process is underway to create a statutory definition for English whisky. Currently, English whisky producers adhere to EU Regulation (2019/787), which defines whisky, as well as the guidelines of the British Standards Institute. ^{[19] [c]}

Regulation (EU) 2019-787 currently regulates English whisky

Guidance

See also: List of British Standards

On 12 September 2023, the British Standards Institute published its first guidelines for the production and packaging of English, Scotch, Welsh, and Irish whisky. These guidelines outline the following requirements:

• Color: Caramel
• Maturation: Minimum of three years in wooden casks
• Sweeteners/Additives: None permitted
• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Minimum of 40%
• Distillation: Less than 94.8% volume ^[21]

Geographical Indication (GI)

On 14 February 2022, the English Whisky Guild applied for a geographical indication in order to establish a legal definition for English whisky. ^[20] Suggested criteria include:

• All grain used in the production of English whisky must originate from the United Kingdom.
• The entire distillation process must be conducted within England.
• Maturation of the whisky must take place exclusively in casks within England. ^{[22] [23]}

The English whisky GI is due to was due to become active in 2024 . ^[24]

On 19 February 2025, the English whisky GI entered into the consultation phase of the application process which will last three months and end on the 19 February 2025, this is alongside a published copy of the detailed GI. During the consultation phase interested parties can send feedback or oppose the geographical indication. ^[25]

Attributes

Examples of the types and styles of English whisky

Types
Malt whisky	Produced using malt barley, distilled in copper pots twice and matured in wooden casks of at least 700 litres (150 imp gal; 180 US gal) for a minimum of three years. [26]
Grain whisky	Produced at least partly from grains other than barley, such as maize, wheat and rye. [27]
Rye whisky	Produced using rye grain and known to be peppery and spicy.
Cornish whisky	Produced using local produce and is distilled, matured and bottled in Cornwall. [28] There are currently 2 distilleries that produce Cornish whisky Pocketful of Stones Distiller and Hicks and Healeys [29] [30]
Styles
Single Malt	Produced using 100% single malt barley within a single distillery.
Triple Malt	Aged in three types of casks, but not blended.
Blended whisky	A combination of malt and grain whisky within a single whisky. These are often smoother and cheaper than single malt whisky.
Single Cask	Bottled from a single cask or barrel without blending the whisky.
Small Batch	Produced by mixing the contents of a relatively small number of premium selected barrels. [31]
Peated	Produced using malt barley that has been dried over a fire; this gives the whisky a smokey flavour. [32]
Cask strength	Bottled from the barrel without any additional water.

Characteristics

Flavours

English whisky has four flavours:

• sweet (vanilla, oats, raisins, peach, apricot)
• savoury (rye bread, herbs)
• spicy (cooking spices, pepper, gingerbread, citrus peel)
• smoky (oak, peat, leather) ^{[33] [34]}

Colour

English whisky has a variety of different colours including caramel and yellow. ^[35]

Distilleries

Distilleries

Main article: List of whisky distilleries in England

There are 55 distilleries in England as of 2024, ^[36] 26 of these distilleries are part of the English Whisky Guild. ^{[37] [38]}

The English whisky distilleries are all at various stages of development with the oldest, St George's Distillery, brewing whisky for nearly 20 years. ^[39] The Cotswolds distillery is the largest producer of whisky in England. ^[40]

Regions

The English whisky distilleries are spread across 9 regions: North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, West Midlands and the North West. ^[41]

Numbers of distilleries by region

Region	Number
North East	3
Yorkshire and the Humber	5
East Midlands	2
East of England	2
London	4
South East	9
South West	11
West Midlands	6
North West	7

South East

There are six whisky distilleries in the South East of England: The Oxford Artisan Distillery, Black Bottle Distillery, Isle of Wight distillery, Copper Rivet Distillers, Anno Distillers and Canterbury Brewers & Distillers. ^[42]

End Stages

Independent bottlers

Main article: List of independent English Whisky bottlers

There are 18 independent whisky bottlers in England, ^[43] including Cadenhead, That Boutique-y, North Star, Watt Whisky, Berry Bros & Rudd, The Heart Cut, The Whisky Show and Thompson Bros. ^[44]

Distributors

No	Distributor	Distillery (ies)	Start date	Area Served	Cite
1.	Sip and Savour	The Oxford Artisan Distillery	20 October 2020	UK	[45]
2.	BBC Spirits	Gullivers Whisky	1 March 2021	Europe	[46]
3.	Mangrove	The English Whisky Co	18 March 2021	UK	[47] [48]
		East London Liquor Company	1 November 2022
4.	Monarq Group	The Lakes Distillery	15 May 2023	Caribbean, Latin America, US	[49]
5.	Illva Saronno	Cotswolds Distillery	11 December 2023	UK, Benelux [e] [50]	[50]
6.	ImpEx Beverages	Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery	6 April 2022	US	[51]

Trade

Economic valuation

From March to April 2023 the English Whisky Guild conducted a survey of English distilleries. The survey found that there are currently 38,000 casks of English whisky maturing in distillery warehouses, and an estimated 50,000 casks expected to be laid down by distilleries by the end of 2024. The total value of the maturing stock estimated to exceed £1bn during this period. ^[52]

On 4 June 2024, the English Whisky Guild published its first annual report. The report found that sales of English whisky last year equated to 50,000 (9L) casks with 40% of English whisky being sold internationally as well as 250,000 people visiting English whisky distillery last year. ^[53] The total value of English whisky sold domestically and internationally is £1bn ^[54]

English whisky distilleries have created 443 jobs across England, and the product is sold internationally in 32 countries around the world, including: Japan, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Singapore and the United States. ^{[52] [55]}

International disputes

United States

On June 25, 2011, US authorities informed The English Whisky Co that it would not be able to sell English single malt whisky in the US market as it is produced using recycled oak barrels and US law requires that new oak barrels be used. ^[56] The English Whisky Co accused the US of double standards, as whisky from other nations including Scotland, Ireland, Wales and France uses recycled barrels to produce whisky. ^[57]

On January 3, 2013, after a five-year dispute, and lobbying the Foreign Office, UK trade bodies and the US embassy, The English Whisky Co was granted permission to sell English whisky in the US market. ^[58]

Achievements and events

Achievements

Auctions

On 8 September 2022, the White Peaks Distillery auctioned its Wire Works Single Malt Whisky which sold for a total of £9,900 ($11,337). ^[59]

Net zero whisky distillation

On 6 November 2023 the Cooper King Distillery released a whisky distilled using only Net zero emissions energy. ^[60]

Partnership agreements

On 1 December 2021 Gullivers & Co signed a partnership agreements with England Rugby to produce rugby themed whisky which would become the official whisky of the English Rugby Union. ^[61]

As of 2023 the partnership agreement between Gullivers and England Ruby is still active with England's No. 6 Single Malt Whisky becoming the latest English rugby themed whisky to be produced ^[62]

International awards

On 30 April 2024, the Circumstance Distillery Single Grain Estate Whisky earned a gold medal at the international spirits challenge. ^[63]

Events

Birmingham

On 18 November 2023 Birmingham hosted its second English Whisky Festival with 32 distilleries participating in the event. The event consisted of two whisky master classes, one by the Cooper King Distillery and one by The English Whisky Co as well as whisky tasting and other activities. ^[64]

London

On 28 November 2023, 16 whisky produces attended the English whisky showcase at the U.K Parliament in Westminster Hall to promote and bring awareness to the growing English whisky sector in England. ^[65]

Whisky Trails

On 28 August 2018, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association launched an English - Welsh Whisky Trail. ^[66]

English distilleries that are on the trail include:

1. Adnams Cooper House Distillery
2. Bimber Distillery
3. Chase Distillery
4. Copper King Distillery
5. Copper Rivet Distillery
6. Cotswolds Distillery
7. Dartmoor Distillery
8. Durhams Distillery
9. East London Liquor Company
10. The English Whisky Co
11. Hicks and Healey Distillery
12. Isle of Wight Distillery
13. The Lakes Distillery
14. The London Distillery Co (Closed) ^[67]

See also

• Food and drink industry in England
• New world whisky

References

Notes

1. Whisky has been made in England since at least 1636, when the Worshipful Company of Distillers was granted a charter for producing the spirit. By the 1800s, there were distilleries in Liverpool, Bristol, London and elsewhere. ^[1]
2. Hicks & Healey use the alternative spelling whiskey as well as the county name Cornish whisky ^[6]
3. A submission has been made to obtain a Geographical Indication for the term “English Whisky” ^[20]
4. This regulation primarily governs whisky production in the EU
5. Benelux is an economic union consisting of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg

Citations

1. Features, Chris Carter published in (28 August 2024). "The rebirth of English whisky: should you invest?". moneyweekuk. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
2. Cornish take on Scotch, BBC News, Thursday, 1 May 2003.
3. "The Lakes 01-year-old". Whisky Base.
4. "Bimber 2016 Spirit". Whisky Base. 7 June 2020.
5. Jeewood, Aaron (24 April 2023). "English Whisky Guild appoints CEO as industry forecast to possess over £1bn in maturing stock". Worshipful Company of Distillers .
6. "Hicks & Healey - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
7. Everglow (12 November 2024). "English Whisky: The rise of a new contender". Everglow Spirits. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
8. "Everything you need to know about English whisky". Travel. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
9. "Introduction to English Whisky". The Dram Team. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
10. "English whisky's Indie heroes". Barley. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
11. Abbott, Billy (28 July 2017). "English whisky – beating the Scots at their own game?". The Whisky Exchange. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
12. "Brands - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". www.whiskybase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
13. Features, Chris Carter published in (28 August 2024). "The rebirth of English whisky: should you invest?". moneyweekuk. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
14. Editorial, CALIBRE (13 March 2019). "The English (Whisky) Renaissance". CALIBRE. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
15. Barnard, Alfred (1969). The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Google Books: David & Charles. ISBN   9780715344712.
16. Jaume, Chris (8 May 2017). "Where English Whisky is Headed in the Next 5 Years". The Yorkshire Gent. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
17. "English whisky reborn in Norfolk". 10 December 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
18. "The English Whisky Map". Inside the Cask. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
19. "What is English whisky?". Exploring English Whisky. 6 September 2019.
20. Malczewski, Kate (25 February 2022). "Producers seek legal definition for English whisky". The Spirits Business .
21. Feilden, Eloise (12 September 2023). "First UK standards on whisky production published". The Drinks Business .
22. Whisky, Bulk (9 May 2022). "English Whisky producers fight for a GI". Bulk Wine & Spirits.
23. Dwyer, Phil (11 May 2024). "What Is Happening To English Whisky?". The Whiskey Wash. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
24. "The English Whisky Guild Annual Review". Digital Distiller. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
25. Carruthers, Nicola (19 February 2025). "English whisky nears GI status". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
26. Jeffreys, Henry (6 October 2022). "How do you define English whisky?". Master of Malt.
27. Mourby, Adrian (6 October 2021). "English Whisky". British Travel Journal. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
28. "Cornish take on Scotch". 1 May 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
29. "Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
30. "Pocketful of Stones Distillers Ltd". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
31. "English Whisky". Gauntleys of Nottingham. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
32. Robillard, Hunter. "Guide to English Whisky: 10 Best Distillers & Bottles, Styles". Vinovest. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
33. "The Definitive English Whisky Map". Exploring English Whisky. 2023.
34. Woodard, Richard (8 July 2022). "A return to English whisky". Decanter .
35. "Learn about what makes English Whisky different..." Digital Distiller. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
36. "The English Whisky Map". www.cooperkingdistillery.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
37. "English Whisky Guild Annual Review 2024 by Allies Group Ltd - Issuu". issuu.com. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
38. "issue four – World Whisky & more" (in German). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
39. De Almeida, André (30 April 2023). "The English Whisky Map 5th Edition". Inside the Cask.
40. Sheldon, Liberty (28 July 2023). "The Cotswolds Distillery named the most popular whisky distillery in UK and Ireland". The Oxfordshire Live.
41. "English Whisky Map - Updated 2024 Version". Digital Distiller. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
42. "How many whisky distilleries are in the South East of England?". thebusinessmagazine.co.uk. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
43. "Bottlers - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". www.whiskybase.com. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
44. "English whisky's Indie heroes". Barley. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
45. "The Oxford Artisan Distillery partners exclusively with Sip and Savour to scale up UK distribution | Grocery Trader". 20 October 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
46. "BBC Spirits imports several leading British brands - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers". m.drinksint.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
47. "Mangrove UK to distribute English Whisky Co. spirits". TheDrinksReport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
48. "East London Liquor Co joins Mangrove Global portfolio - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers". m.drinksint.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
49. Raizada, Ameesha (15 May 2023). "The Lakes Distillery partners with Monarq Group to expand global presence". Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
50. "The Cotswolds Distillery signs with Illva Saronno - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
51. "England's Filey Bay whiskies coming to US". TheDrinksReport.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
52. Carruthers, Nicola (25 April 2023). "English Whisky Guild hires CEO". The Spirits Business .
53. "English Whisky Guild's first annual report praises category's". www.whiskymag.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
54. "English whisky market soars to £1 billion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
55. "English Whisky to roll out the barrel in USA". Business Weekly. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
56. "English Whisky Struggles With Us Rules | British Glass". www.britglass.org.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
57. "US bias' holds English whisky over a barrel". The Scotsman . 24 June 2011.
58. Millar, Rupert (3 January 2013). "English whisky breaks into US market". The Drinks Business. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
59. Brooker, Alice (8 September 2022). "White Peak breaks record at auction". The Spirits Business .
60. Greenwood, Darren (6 December 2023). "Coopers King Distillery releases 'net zero' whisky". York Press . Retrieved 10 December 2023.
61. Malczewski, Kate (1 December 2021). "Samuel Gulliver named official English Rugby whisky". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
62. Collins, Georgie (11 September 2023). "Samuel Gulliver's celebrates England rugby". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
63. Booth, Martin (30 April 2024). "International Accolade for Bristol Whisky". Bristol-24/7.
64. Case, Charlie (26 September 2023). "An All English Whisky Festival Will Return To Birmingham This November". Secret Birmingham.
65. White, Barrie (2 December 2023). "Shropshire: Henstone Distillery promotes whisky at Parliament". Border Counties Advertiser.
66. Bellwood, Owen (28 August 2018). "WSTA launches English and Welsh whisky trail". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
67. "English and Welsh Whisky Trail" (PDF). Wine and Spirit Trade Association .

Book references

• Bruning, Ted; Wheeler, Rupert (21 November 2024). English Whisky: The Journey from Grain to Glass. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN   978-0-00-862155-1.
• Buxton, Ian; Hughes, Paul S. (2021). The science and commerce of whisky (2nd ed.). London: Royal Society of Chemistry. p. 307. ISBN   978-1-78801-710-7.
• Murray, Jim (2020). Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020. Dram Good Books Ltd. pp. 305–317. ISBN   9781838320713.
• Murray, Jim (26 November 2020). Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021. Dram Good Books Ltd. pp. 297–330. ISBN   9781838320706.
• The New Single Malt Whiskey: More Than 325 Bottles, From 197 Distilleries, in More Than 25 Countries. Simon and Schuster. 25 October 2016. pp. 191, 193–196, 199, 201 (citations throughout the book). ISBN   978-1-60433-647-4.
• Ronde, Ingvar (26 October 2017). Malt Whisky Yearbook. MagDig Media Limited. ISBN   9780957655348.
• Whisky Opus: The Definitive 21st-Century Reference to the World's Greatest Distilleries and their Whiskies. Dorling Kindersley Limited. 3 September 2012. ISBN   978-1-4093-7580-7.
• Wisniewski, Ian (2019). The Whisky Dictionary. Octopus. pp. 25–30. ISBN   9781784726393.

External links

• English Whisky Geographical Indication (GI)

Organisations

• Exploring English Whisky
• British Distillers Alliance
• Briggs of Burton