English whisky

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English whisky (whiskey)
Whisky decanter and glasses.jpeg
Type Distilled
Manufacturer55 distilleries
(20 brands) [1]
Country of origin  England
IntroducedEst./ Re-est.
1636 [a] 2003;22 years ago (2003) [3]
Discontinued1905
Alcohol by volume  40% [4] – 67.9% [5]
Proof (US) 80° - 136° [6]
Colour Pale yellow to Caramel
Flavoursweet, savours, spicy, smoky
Ingredients Malt, Grains, Water
Variants Malt, Grain, Blended
Related products Scotch, Irish, Welsh
Website EWG [7]

English whisky (English whiskey [b] ) is a liquor made from cereal grains, malt and water that is produced in England. [10] [11] This includes malt whisky and grain whisky. [12] [13]

Contents

Although England is not well known for whisky production, the industry was active until the late 19th century and was revived in 2003. [3] [14] The English Whisky Guild is the trade body for English whisky. [15]

History

Origins and discontinuation

In 1636 the Worshipful Company of Distillers was granted a charter to produce spirits, including whisky. [16]

Mayerne The Distiller of London 1639 tp.jpg
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 to 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.[ citation needed ] Coupled with the introduction of cask-aged English whisky, this boosted demand for English spirits, which accounted for one-sixth of England's revenue[ clarification needed ] by 1885. [17]

In the 1887 book The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom by Alfred Barnard, the following English distilleries were listed: [18]

In 1903 Lea Valley Distillery, owned by The Distillers Company closed and they moved production to Scotland due to the expanding popularity of gin and the taking off[ clarification needed ] of Scotch whisky. [19]

Re-establishment

In 2005, The English Whisky Co. Ltd. received permission to construct the first registered whisky distillery in England in over a century. [20] 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. [21]

Definition

A process is under way 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. [22] [c]

Front page of the English whisky GI English whisky GI (front page).jpeg
Front page of the English whisky GI

Guidance

On 12 September 2023, the British Standards Institute published its first guideline BS 8636 for the production and packaging of English, Scotch, Welsh, and Irish whisky. These guidelines outline the following requirements:

An English whisky GI is currently in progress, with a decision due on 19 May 2025. [12]

Attributes

Examples of the types and styles of English whisky English whisky styles.png
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. [25]
Grain whisky Produced at least partly from grains other than barley, such as maize, wheat and rye. [26]
Rye whiskyProduced using rye grain and known to be peppery and spicy.
Cornish whiskyProduced using local produce and is distilled, matured and bottled in Cornwall. [27] There are currently 2 distilleries that produce Cornish whisky Pocketful of Stones Distiller and Hicks and Healeys [28] [29]
Styles
Single Malt Produced using 100% single malt barley within a single distillery.
Triple MaltAged 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. [30]
Peated Produced using malt barley that has been dried over a fire; this gives the whisky a smokey flavour. [31]
Cask strengthBottled 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) [32] [33]

Colour

English whisky has a variety of different colours including caramel and yellow. [34]

Distilleries

Distilleries

There are 55 distilleries in England as of 2024, [35] 26 of these distilleries are part of the English Whisky Guild. [36] [37]

The English whisky distilleries are all at various stages of development with the oldest, St George's Distillery, brewing whisky for nearly 20 years. [38] The Cotswolds distillery is the largest producer of whisky in England. [39]

Regions

The English whisky distilleries are spread across nine regions, as follows: [40]

Whisky regions England 2024.jpg
Numbers of distilleries by region
RegionNumber
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

The whisky distilleries in the South East of England include: The Oxford Artisan Distillery, Black Bottle Distillery, Isle of Wight distillery, Copper Rivet Distillers, Anno Distillers and Canterbury Brewers & Distillers. [41]

End Stages

Independent bottlers

There are 18 independent whisky bottlers in England, [42] including Cadenhead, That Boutique-y, North Star, Watt Whisky, Berry Bros & Rudd, The Heart Cut, The Whisky Show and Thompson Bros. [43]

Distributors

NoDistributorDistillery (ies)Start dateArea ServedCite
1.Sip and SavourThe Oxford Artisan Distillery20 October 2020UK [44]
2.BBC SpiritsGullivers Whisky1 March 2021 Europe [45]
3.MangroveThe English Whisky Co18 March 2021 UK [46] [47]
East London Liquor Company1 November 2022
4.Monarq GroupThe Lakes Distillery15 May 2023 Caribbean, Latin America, US [48]
5.Illva SaronnoCotswolds Distillery11 December 2023UK, Benelux [e] [49] [49]
6.ImpEx BeveragesSpirit of Yorkshire Distillery6 April 2022US [50]

Trade

Economic valuation

From March to April 2023 the English Whisky Guild conducted a survey of English distilleries. The survey found that there were then 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 with 97% of distilleries making single malt and a quarter of distilleries making whiskies using other grain such like rye. The total value of the maturing stock was estimated to exceed £1 billion during that period. [51]

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. [52] The total value of English whisky sold domestically and internationally was £1 billion. [53]

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. [51] [54]

English whisky GWE.jpg

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. [55] 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. [56]

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. [57]

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). [58]

Net zero whisky distillation

On 6 November 2023 the Cooper King Distillery released a whisky distilled using only Net zero emissions energy. [59]

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. [60]

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 [61]

International awards

On 30 April 2024, the Circumstance Distillery Single Grain Estate Whisky earned a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. [62]

Events

English Whisky Festival

The English whisky festival is an annual whisky event that is hosted by the English Whisky Society / Explore English Whisky and takes place in Birmingham at different points in November. There have been 3 events so far which consisted of master classes, whisky tasting and other activities. [63]

The first event took place on 18 November 2023, it was hosted online by due to COVID 19, [64] and contained 30 whiskies from 14 distilleries. [65] The second event took place on 18 November 2023, it consisted of 32 distilleries and contained two whisky master classes, one by the Cooper King Distillery and one by The English Whisky Co. [66] The Third Event took place on November 23 2024, it consisted of 30 whisky distilleries and contained a selection of festival exclusive whiskies, some of the oldest English whiskies available and a free whisky tasting glass. [67]

English whisky day

English whisky day is an annual whisky event that takes place at Westminster Hall in London to promote and bring awareness of the growing English whisky sector in England.

The first event was held on 28 November 2023 and consisted of 16 whisky producers. [68] A second event was held on 14 March 2025 which was hosted by the MP for Thirsk and Malton Kevin Hollinrake which was attended by 50 MP’s and Lords and over 200 guests. [69] [70]

Whisky Trail

On 28 August 2018, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association launched an English-Welsh Whisky Trail. [71]

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) [72]

See also

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. [2]
  2. ↑
    • Hicks & Healey use the alternative spelling whiskey as well as the county name Cornish whisky [8]
    • The English whisky GI currently on its consultation phase allows two spellings for whisky made in England:
    - English whisky (traditional) - English Whiskey (alternative spelling) [9] )
  3. ↑ A submission has been made to obtain a Geographical Indication for the term “English Whisky” [23]
  4. ↑ The English whisky GI is currently in the consultation phase with a decision due on the 20 May 2025
  5. ↑ Benelux is an economic union consisting of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg

Citations

  1. ↑ "Brands - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". www.whiskybase.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ↑ Features, Chris Carter published in (28 August 2024). "The rebirth of English whisky: should you invest?". moneyweekuk. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  3. 1 2 Cornish take on Scotch, BBC News, Thursday, 1 May 2003.
  4. ↑ "The Lakes 01-year-old". Whisky Base.
  5. ↑ "Bimber 2016 Spirit". Whisky Base. 7 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "Alcohol Content Strength Conversion | WhiskyAuction.com". www.whiskyauction.com. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Jeewood, Aaron (24 April 2023). "English Whisky Guild appoints CEO as industry forecast to possess over £1bn in maturing stock". Worshipful Company of Distillers .
  8. ↑ "Hicks & Healey - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  9. ↑ Beeson2025-02-21T15:00:00+00:00, James. "English single malt whisky proposals 'very damaging', SWA says". The Grocer. Retrieved 8 March 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ Everglow (12 November 2024). "English Whisky: The rise of a new contender". Everglow Spirits. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  11. ↑ "Everything you need to know about English whisky". Travel. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Introduction to English Whisky". The Dram Team. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "English whisky's Indie heroes". Barley. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  14. ↑ Abbott, Billy (28 July 2017). "English whisky – beating the Scots at their own game?". The Whisky Exchange. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  15. ↑ "English Whisky Guild". Briggs. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  16. ↑ Features, Chris Carter published in (28 August 2024). "The rebirth of English whisky: should you invest?". moneyweekuk. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  17. ↑ Editorial, CALIBRE (13 March 2019). "The English (Whisky) Renaissance". CALIBRE. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  18. ↑ Barnard, Alfred (1969). The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Google Books: David & Charles. ISBN   9780715344712.
  19. ↑ Jaume, Chris (8 May 2017). "Where English Whisky is Headed in the Next 5 Years". The Yorkshire Gent. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  20. ↑ "English whisky reborn in Norfolk". 10 December 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  21. ↑ "The English Whisky Map". Inside the Cask. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  22. ↑ "What is English whisky?". Exploring English Whisky. 6 September 2019.
  23. ↑ Malczewski, Kate (25 February 2022). "Producers seek legal definition for English whisky". The Spirits Business .
  24. ↑ Feilden, Eloise (12 September 2023). "First UK standards on whisky production published". The Drinks Business .
  25. ↑ Jeffreys, Henry (6 October 2022). "How do you define English whisky?". Master of Malt.
  26. ↑ Mourby, Adrian (6 October 2021). "English Whisky". British Travel Journal. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  27. ↑ "Cornish take on Scotch". 1 May 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  28. ↑ "Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  29. ↑ "Pocketful of Stones Distillers Ltd". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  30. ↑ "English Whisky". Gauntleys of Nottingham. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  31. ↑ Robillard, Hunter. "Guide to English Whisky: 10 Best Distillers & Bottles, Styles". Vinovest. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  32. ↑ "The Definitive English Whisky Map". Exploring English Whisky. 2023.
  33. ↑ Woodard, Richard (8 July 2022). "A return to English whisky". Decanter .
  34. ↑ "Learn about what makes English Whisky different..." Digital Distiller. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  35. ↑ "The English Whisky Map". www.cooperkingdistillery.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  36. ↑ "English Whisky Guild Annual Review 2024 by Allies Group Ltd - Issuu". issuu.com. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  37. ↑ "issue four – World Whisky & more" (in German). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  38. ↑ De Almeida, André (30 April 2023). "The English Whisky Map 5th Edition". Inside the Cask.
  39. ↑ Sheldon, Liberty (28 July 2023). "The Cotswolds Distillery named the most popular whisky distillery in UK and Ireland". The Oxfordshire Live.
  40. ↑ "English Whisky Map - Updated 2024 Version". Digital Distiller. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  41. ↑ "How many whisky distilleries are in the South East of England?". thebusinessmagazine.co.uk. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  42. ↑ "Bottlers - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". www.whiskybase.com. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  43. ↑ "English whisky's Indie heroes". Barley. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  44. ↑ "The Oxford Artisan Distillery partners exclusively with Sip and Savour to scale up UK distribution | Grocery Trader". 20 October 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  45. ↑ "BBC Spirits imports several leading British brands - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers". m.drinksint.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  46. ↑ "Mangrove UK to distribute English Whisky Co. spirits". TheDrinksReport.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  47. ↑ "East London Liquor Co joins Mangrove Global portfolio - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers". m.drinksint.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  48. ↑ Raizada, Ameesha (15 May 2023). "The Lakes Distillery partners with Monarq Group to expand global presence". Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  49. 1 2 "The Cotswolds Distillery signs with Illva Saronno - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  50. ↑ "England's Filey Bay whiskies coming to US". TheDrinksReport.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  51. 1 2 Carruthers, Nicola (25 April 2023). "English Whisky Guild hires CEO". The Spirits Business .
  52. ↑ "English Whisky Guild's first annual report praises category's". www.whiskymag.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  53. ↑ "English whisky market soars to £1 billion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  54. ↑ "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.
  55. ↑ "English Whisky Struggles With Us Rules | British Glass". www.britglass.org.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  56. ↑ "US bias' holds English whisky over a barrel". The Scotsman . 24 June 2011.
  57. ↑ Millar, Rupert (3 January 2013). "English whisky breaks into US market". The Drinks Business. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  58. ↑ Brooker, Alice (8 September 2022). "White Peak breaks record at auction". The Spirits Business .
  59. ↑ Greenwood, Darren (6 December 2023). "Coopers King Distillery releases 'net zero' whisky". York Press . Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  60. ↑ Malczewski, Kate (1 December 2021). "Samuel Gulliver named official English Rugby whisky". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  61. ↑ Collins, Georgie (11 September 2023). "Samuel Gulliver's celebrates England rugby". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  62. ↑ Booth, Martin (30 April 2024). "International Accolade for Bristol Whisky". Bristol-24/7.
  63. ↑ "English Whisky Society officially launched as part of first festival - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  64. ↑ Case, Charlie (26 September 2023). "An All English Whisky Festival Will Return To Birmingham This November". Secret Birmingham.
  65. ↑ Schrieberg, Felipe. "This Is The First Festival Ever Dedicated To English Whisky". Forbes. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  66. ↑ Case, Charlie (26 September 2023). "An All English Whisky Festival Will Return To Birmingham This November". Secret Birmingham.
  67. ↑ Case, Charlie (7 November 2022). "The Only English Whisky Festival Will Return To Birmingham This November". Secret Birmingham. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  68. ↑ White, Barrie (2 December 2023). "Shropshire: Henstone Distillery promotes whisky at Parliament". Border Counties Advertiser.
  69. ↑ "English whisky day celebrated at Westminster as Kevin Hollinrake MP hosts event showcasing Hunmanby's Spirit of Yorkshire's whisky among others". The Scarborough News. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  70. ↑ Times, Yorkshire. "Raising A Glass To English Whisky: A Celebratory Day At Westminster". yorkshiretimes.co.uk. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  71. ↑ Bellwood, Owen (28 August 2018). "WSTA launches English and Welsh whisky trail". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  72. ↑ "English and Welsh Whisky Trail" (PDF). Wine and Spirit Trade Association .

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