English whisky explained

Type:Distilled beverage
Origin:England
English whisky
Abv:40%[1] – 67.9%[2]
Related:Scotch, Irish whiskey, Welsh whisky
Introduced:Est./ Re-est.
1636 2003
Discontinued:1905
Website:EWG[3]

English whisky (whiskey) is a liquor made from cereal grains, malt and water that is produced in England.[4] [5] This includes malt whisky and grain whisky.[6] [7]

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.[8] By 2016, it had resurged.[9]

There are currently 20 brands of English whisky including the English Co, Bimber, The Lakes and Cotswolds.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12]

In the 1887 book The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom by Alfred Barnard, the following English distilleries were listed:[13]

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.[14]

Re-establishment

In 2005, The English Whisky Co. Ltd. received permission to construct the first registered whisky distillery in England in over a century.[15] 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.[16]

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.[17]

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:

Legal changes

On 14 February 2022, the English Whisky Guild applied for a geographical indication in order to establish a legal definition for English whisky.[19] Suggested criteria include:

The English whisky GI is due to become active this year.[22]

Types, styles and characteristics

Types
Malt whiskyProduced using malt barley, distilled in copper pots twice and matured in wooden casks of at least 700 litres for a minimum of three years.[23]
Grain whiskyProduced at least partly from grains other than barley, such as maize, wheat and rye.[24]
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.[25] There are currently 2 distilleries that produce Cornish whisky Pocketful of Stones Distiller and Hicks and Healeys[26] [27]
Styles
Single MaltProduced using 100% single malt barley within a single distillery.
Triple MaltAged in three types of casks, but not blended.
Blended whiskyA combination of malt and grain whisky within a single whisky. These are often smoother and cheaper than single malt whisky.
Single CaskBottled from a single cask or barrel without blending the whisky.
Small BatchProduced by mixing the contents of a relatively small number of premium selected barrels.[28]
PeatedProduced using malt barley that has been dried over a fire; this gives the whisky a smokey flavour.[29]
Cask strengthBottled from the barrel without any additional water.

Characteristics

Flavours

English whisky has four flavours:

Colour

English whisky has a variety of different colours including caramel and yellow.[32]

Distilleries and regions

Distilleries

See main article: List of whisky distilleries in England. There are 55 distilleries in England as of 2024, [33] 26 of these distilleries are part of the English Whisky Guild.[34] [35]

The English whisky distilleries are all at various stages of development with the oldest, St George's Distillery, brewing whisky for nearly 20 years.[36] The Cotswolds distillery is the largest producer of whisky in England.[37]

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.[38]

Numbers of distilleries by region!Region!!Number
North East3
Yorkshire and the Humber5
2
East of England2
London4
South East9
South West11
West Midlands6
North West7

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.[39]

Bottling and distribution

Independent bottlers

See main article: List of independent English Whisky bottlers.

There are 18 independent whisky bottlers in England,[40] including Cadenhead, That Boutique-y, North Star, Watt Whisky, Berry Bros & Rudd, The Heart Cut, The Whisky Show and Thompson Bros.[41]

Distributors

!No!Distributor!Distillery (ies)!Start date!Area Served!Cite
1.Sip and SavourThe Oxford Artisan Distillery20 October 2020UK[42]
2.BBC SpiritsGullivers Whisky1 March 2021Europe[43]
3.MangroveThe English Whisky Co18 March 2021UK[44] [45]
East London Liquor Company1 November 2022
4.Monarq GroupThe Lakes Distillery15 May 2023Caribbean, Latin America, US[46]
5.Illva SaronnoCotswolds Distillery11 December 2023UK, Benelux [47]
6.ImpEx BeveragesSpirit of Yorkshire Distillery6 April 2022US[48]

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.[49]

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.[50] The total value of English whisky sold domestically and internationally is £1bn[51]

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]

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.[53] 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.[54]

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.[55]

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).[56]

Net zero whisky distillation

On 6 November 2023 the Cooper King Distillery released a whisky distilled using only Net zero emissions energy.[57]

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.[58]

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[59]

International awards

On 30 April 2024, the Circumstance Distillery Single Grain Estate Whisky earned a gold medal at the international spirits challenge.[60]

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.[61]

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.[62]

Whisky Trails

On 28 August 2018, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association launched an English - Welsh Whisky Trail.[63]

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)[64]

See also

References

Book references

External links

Organisations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Lakes 01-year-old . Whisky Base.
  2. Web site: Bimber 2016 Spirit. Whisky Base. 7 June 2020.
  3. Web site: Jeewood . Aaron . 24 April 2023 . English Whisky Guild appoints CEO as industry forecast to possess over £1bn in maturing stock . Worshipful Company of Distillers.
  4. Web site: Everglow . 2024-11-12 . English Whisky: The rise of a new contender . 2024-11-13 . Everglow Spirits . en-GB.
  5. Web site: 12 May 2024 . Everything you need to know about English whisky . 12 May 2024 . Travel . en.
  6. Web site: 22 July 2020 . Introduction to English Whisky . 11 December 2023 . The Dram Team . en-US.
  7. Web site: English whisky's Indie heroes . 26 February 2024 . Barley . en-GB.
  8. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/2992925.stm Cornish take on Scotch
  9. Web site: English whisky – beating the Scots at their own game?. Billy. Abbott. The Whisky Exchange. 28 July 2017. 4 May 2020.
  10. Web site: Brands - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky . 2024-05-10 . www.whiskybase.com.
  11. Web site: Features . Chris Carter published in . 2024-08-28 . The rebirth of English whisky: should you invest? . 2024-08-28 . moneyweekuk . en.
  12. Web site: Editorial . CALIBRE . 13 March 2019 . The English (Whisky) Renaissance . 7 June 2024 . CALIBRE . en-GB.
  13. Book: Barnard, Alfred . The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom . 1969 . David & Charles . 9780715344712 . Google Books.
  14. Web site: Jaume . Chris . 8 May 2017 . Where English Whisky is Headed in the Next 5 Years . 8 June 2024 . The Yorkshire Gent . en-GB.
  15. News: 2009-12-10 . English whisky reborn in Norfolk . 2024-09-28 . en-GB.
  16. Web site: 18 May 2020 . The English Whisky Map . 18 March 2024 . Inside the Cask . en-GB.
  17. Web site: 6 September 2019 . What is English whisky? . Exploring English Whisky.
  18. Web site: Feilden . Eloise . 12 September 2023 . First UK standards on whisky production published . The Drinks Business.
  19. Web site: Malczewski . Kate . 25 February 2022 . Producers seek legal definition for English whisky . The Spirits Business.
  20. Web site: Whisky . Bulk . 9 May 2022 . English Whisky producers fight for a GI . Bulk Wine & Spirits.
  21. Web site: Dwyer . Phil . 11 May 2024 . What Is Happening To English Whisky? . 14 May 2024 . The Whiskey Wash . en-US.
  22. Web site: The English Whisky Guild Annual Review . 2024-09-03 . Digital Distiller . en.
  23. Web site: Jeffreys . Henry . 6 October 2022 . How do you define English whisky? . Master of Malt.
  24. Web site: Mourby . Adrian . 6 October 2021 . English Whisky . 10 December 2023 . British Travel Journal . en-GB.
  25. News: 1 May 2003 . Cornish take on Scotch . 13 June 2024 . en-GB.
  26. Web site: Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm . 13 June 2024 . Whiskybase.com . en.
  27. Web site: Pocketful of Stones Distillers Ltd . 13 June 2024 . Whiskybase.com . en.
  28. Web site: English Whisky . 10 December 2023 . Gauntleys of Nottingham.
  29. Web site: Robillard . Hunter . Guide to English Whisky: 10 Best Distillers & Bottles, Styles . 25 March 2024 . Vinovest . en.
  30. Web site: 2023 . The Definitive English Whisky Map . Exploring English Whisky.
  31. Web site: Woodard . Richard . 8 July 2022 . A return to English whisky . Decanter.
  32. Web site: Learn about what makes English Whisky different... . 2024-08-14 . Digital Distiller . en.
  33. Web site: The English Whisky Map . 5 May 2024 . www.cooperkingdistillery.co.uk.
  34. Web site: 2024-05-30 . English Whisky Guild Annual Review 2024 by Allies Group Ltd - Issuu . 2024-09-13 . issuu.com . en.
  35. Web site: issue four – World Whisky & more . 14 April 2024 . de-DE.
  36. Web site: De Almeida . André . 30 April 2023 . The English Whisky Map 5th Edition . Inside the Cask.
  37. Web site: Sheldon . Liberty . 28 July 2023 . The Cotswolds Distillery named the most popular whisky distillery in UK and Ireland . The Oxfordshire Live.
  38. Web site: English Whisky Map - Updated 2024 Version . 2024-09-13 . Digital Distiller . en.
  39. Web site: How many whisky distilleries are in the South East of England? . 2 June 2024 . thebusinessmagazine.co.uk . 11 May 2022 . en-GB.
  40. Web site: Bottlers - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky . 2024-09-13 . www.whiskybase.com.
  41. Web site: English whisky’s Indie heroes . 2024-09-13 . Barley . en-GB.
  42. Web site: 20 October 2020 . The Oxford Artisan Distillery partners exclusively with Sip and Savour to scale up UK distribution Grocery Trader . 2 May 2024 . en-US.
  43. Web site: BBC Spirits imports several leading British brands - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers . 2 May 2024 . m.drinksint.com . en-US.
  44. Web site: Mangrove UK to distribute English Whisky Co. spirits . 2 May 2024 . TheDrinksReport.com . en.
  45. Web site: East London Liquor Co joins Mangrove Global portfolio - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers . 2 May 2024 . m.drinksint.com . en-US.
  46. Web site: Raizada . Ameesha . 15 May 2023 . The Lakes Distillery partners with Monarq Group to expand global presence . 2 May 2024 . Moodie Davitt Report . en-US.
  47. Web site: The Cotswolds Distillery signs with Illva Saronno - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News . 2 May 2024 . harpers.co.uk . en.
  48. Web site: England's Filey Bay whiskies coming to US . 2024-08-07 . TheDrinksReport.com . en.
  49. Web site: Carruthers . Nicola . 25 April 2023 . English Whisky Guild hires CEO . The Spirits Business.
  50. Web site: English Whisky Guild's first annual report praises category's . 7 June 2024 . www.whiskymag.com.
  51. Web site: English whisky market soars to £1 billion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News . 26 June 2024 . harpers.co.uk . en.
  52. Web site: 12 December 2012 . English Whisky to roll out the barrel in USA . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240125142919/https://www.businessweekly.co.uk/export/americas/14904-english-whisky-roll-out-barrel-usa . 25 January 2024 . 25 January 2024 . Business Weekly.
  53. Web site: English Whisky Struggles With Us Rules British Glass . 2024-08-04 . www.britglass.org.uk.
  54. News: June 24, 2011 . US bias' holds English whisky over a barrel . The Scotsman.
  55. Web site: Millar . Rupert . 2013-01-03 . English whisky breaks into US market . 2024-08-04 . The Drinks Business . en-GB.
  56. Web site: Brooker . Alice . 8 September 2022 . White Peak breaks record at auction . The Spirits Business.
  57. Web site: Greenwood . Darren . 6 December 2023 . Coopers King Distillery releases 'net zero' whisky . 10 December 2023 . . en.
  58. Web site: Malczewski . Kate . 1 December 2021 . Samuel Gulliver named official English Rugby whisky . 17 May 2024 . The Spirits Business . en-US.
  59. Web site: Collins . Georgie . 11 September 2023 . Samuel Gulliver's celebrates England rugby . 17 May 2024 . The Spirits Business . en-US.
  60. Web site: Booth . Martin . 30 April 2024 . International Accolade for Bristol Whisky . Bristol-24/7.
  61. Web site: Case . Charlie . 26 September 2023 . An All English Whisky Festival Will Return To Birmingham This November . Secret Birmingham.
  62. Web site: White . Barrie . 2 December 2023 . Shropshire: Henstone Distillery promotes whisky at Parliament . Border Counties Advertiser.
  63. Web site: Bellwood . Owen . 28 August 2018 . WSTA launches English and Welsh whisky trail . 6 May 2024 . The Spirits Business . en-US.
  64. Web site: English and Welsh Whisky Trail . Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

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