English whisky: Difference between revisions
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|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooker |first=Alice |date=September 8, 2022 |title=White Peak breaks record at auction |url=https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2022/09/white-peak-breaks-record-at-auction/ |website=[[The Spirits Business]]}}</ref> |
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brooker |first=Alice |date=September 8, 2022 |title=White Peak breaks record at auction |url=https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2022/09/white-peak-breaks-record-at-auction/ |website=[[The Spirits Business]]}}</ref> |
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=== Oldest whisky in England === |
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On 30 November 2023 the English Whisky Co released their 16 year old port cask whisky, the oldest whisky in England.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wales |first=Bethany |date=November 30, 2023 |title=The English Distillery releases country's oldest whisky |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23954399.english-distillery-releases-countrys-oldest-whisky/ |website=[[Eastern Daily Press]]}}</ref> |
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=== Net zero whisky distillation === |
=== Net zero whisky distillation === |
Revision as of 01:02, 12 June 2024
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Type | Distilled beverage |
---|---|
Country of origin | England |
Introduced | First introduced/ Reintroduced (Active: 21 years, 8 months, 1 week and 2 days) |
Discontinued | C19th |
Alcohol by volume | 40%[2] - 67.9%[3] (46% avg alc vol %) |
Colour | • Caramel • Yellow |
Flavour | • sweet • savoury • spicy • smoky[4] |
Ingredients | Malt, Cereal Grains, Water |
Variants | Single Malt, Triple Malt, Blended Whisky, Single Cask, Small Batch |
Related products | |
Website | English Whisky Guild[5] |
English whisky (whiskey[a]) is a liquor made from cereal grains, malt and water.[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.[11] By 2016, it had resurged.[12]
History
Origins and discontinuation
In 1825 the Chancellor of the Exchequer reduced the duty on alcohol and allowed distillers to sell directly to the public believing this would lead to distillers producing higher quality spirits, remove the rectification process which used dangerous chemicals, allow distillers to prosper and produce profit for the treasury. The reduction alcohol duty lead to the consumption of English spirits near doubling and the establishment of England’s reputation for distilling excellence, this alongside the introduction of the casks aged English whisky lead to an increase in demand of English spirits which accounted for a sixth of Englands revenue by 1885. [13]
In the 1887 book The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom by Alfred Barnard, the following English distilleries were listed:[14]
- 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 (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".
- Vauxhall Distillery in Liverpool (founded in 1781) — produced grain whisky.
In 1903 Lea Valley Distillery, in Stratford, London 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.[15]
Re-establishment
In 2005, The English Whisky Co. Ltd got permission to build the first registered whisky distillery in England for over a century. Its first release of single malt was in 2009. This was the only English Whisky to have been bottled and released for 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
There is a process underway on creating a statutory definition. English whisky producers currently follow EU Regulation (2019/787) that define whisky alongside the British Standards institutes whisky guidelines.[17][b]
Guidance
On 12 September 2023 the British Standards Institute published its first guidelines on how English, Scotch Welsh and Irish whisky should be produced and packaged. These guidelines state that whisky must:
- be caramel in colour
- be matured for at least three years in wooden caskets
- not be sweetened or have additives
- ABV should be a minimum of 40%
- distillation should be conducted at less than 94.8% volume.[19]
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.[18] Suggested criteria include:
- whisky is washed in England
- whisky is distilled in England
- whisky casks are matured in England
- grain is from United Kingdom[20][21]
Distilleries
There are currently 55 English distilleries across 9 regions in England,[22][23] 26 independent distilleries and 24 distilleries that are members of the English Whisky Guild.[24]
The English whisky distilleries are all at various stages of development with the oldest St George’s Distillery brewing whisky for nearly 20 years [25] and the Cotswolds distillery is the largest producer of whisky in England.[26]
Distributors
No | Distillery | Distributor | Start date | Area Served | Cite |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | The Oxford Artisan Distillery | Sip and Savour | October 20, 2020 | UK | [27] |
2. | Gullivers Whisky | BBC Spirits | March 1, 2021 | Europe | [28] |
3. | The English Whisky Co | Mangrove | March 18, 2021 | UK | [29][30] |
East London Liquor Comoany | November 1, 2022 | ||||
4. | The Lakes Distillery | Monarq Group | May 15, 2023 | Caribbean, Latin America, US | [31] |
5. | Cotswolds Distillery | Illva Saronno | December 11, 2023 | UK, Benelux [c][32] | [33] |
Brands
As of 2024 there are currently 20 brands of whisky in England.
Bimber, The Lakes and Cotswolds are the biggest brands of whisky in England by production.[34]
Regions
England has 55 distilleries across 9 regions.[35]
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.[36]
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.[37]
On June 4th, 2024 the English Whisky Guild published its first annual report. The report found that sales of English whisky last year equated to 5000 (9L) casks with 40% of English whisky being sold internationally as well as 250,000 people visiting English whisky distillery last year.[38]
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.[37][39]
Types and styles
Types | |
---|---|
Malt whisky | Produced using malt barley, distilled in copper pots twice and matured in wooden casks of at least 700 litres for a minimum of three years.[40] |
Grain whisky | Produced at least partly from grains other than barley, such as maize, wheat and rye.[41] |
Rye whisky | Produced using rye grain and known to be peppery and spicy. |
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.[42] |
Peated | Produced using malt barley that has been dried over a fire; this gives the whisky a smokey flavour.[43] |
Cask strength | Bottled from the barrel without any additional water. |
Cornish
Cornish whisky exists.[44]
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)[45]
Achievements
Auctions
Name of distillery | Name of whisky | Date | Total | Cite |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lakes Distillery [d] | Genesis Single Malt Whisky | July 12, 2018 | £7,900 | [46] |
White Peaks Distillery | Wire Works Single Malt Whisky | September 8, 2022 | £9,900 ($11,337) |
[47] |
Net zero whisky distillation
On 6 November 2023 the Cooper King Distillery released a whisky distilled using only net zero energy.[48]
Partnership agreements
On 01 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.[49]
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[50]
Stores
Gauntleys Whiskies
On April 4, 2020 Gauntleys Whiskies began selling English whiskies from a range of distilleries including from the English Whisky Co, Filey Bay and Henstone Distillery. [51]
Digital Distiller
On November 23, 2023 Digital Distiller launched a specialist online English whisky and gin subscription service. The service list over 50 different English whiskies bottles as well as selection of English Whisky casks which are obtained through direct partnerships with distilleries.[52][53]
International awards
On April 30, 2024 the Circumstance Distillery Single Grain Estate Whisky earned a gold medal at the international spirits challenge. [54]
Events
Birmingham
On November 18, 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.[55]
London
On November 28, 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.[56]
Whisky Trails
On August 28, 2018 the Wine and Spirit Trade Association launched an English - Welsh Whisky Trail.[57]
English distilleries that are on the trail include:
- Adnams Cooper House Distillery
- Bimber Distillery
- Chase Distillery
- Copper King Distillery
- Copper Rivet Distillery
- Cotswolds Distillery
- Dartmoor Distillery
- Durhams Distillery
- East London Liquor Company
- The English Whisky Co
- Hicks and Healey Distillery
- Isle of Wight Distillery
- The Lakes Distillery
- The London Distillery Co (Closed)[58]
Bibliography
Name of Book | Author | Year | ISBNs | Cite |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2020/2021 | Jim Murray | 2020
2021 |
ISBN 9781838320713, 1838320717 ISBN 9781838320706, 1838320709 |
[59][60] |
The Whisky Dictionary | Ian Wisniewski | 2019 | ISBN 9781784726393, 1784726397 | [61] |
The Science and Commerce of Whisky | Ian Buxton, Paul S Hughes | 2020 | ISBN 1788017102, 9781788017107 | [62] |
The New Single Malt Whiskey | Carlo DeVito | 2016 | ISBN 9781604336474, 1604336471 | [63] |
English Whisky
The Journey from Grain to Glass |
Ted Bruning
Rupert Wheeler |
2024 | ISBN 9780008621551, 0008621551 | [64] |
See also
Economic
Liquors
Whisky
Wine
External links
Organisations
References
- ^ "St. George's Distillery". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ^ "The Lakes 01-year-old". Whisky Base.
- ^ "Bimber 2016 Spirit". Whisky Base. 7 June 2020.
- ^ Woodard, Richard (July 8, 2022). "A return to English whisky". Decanter.
- ^ Jeewood, Aaron (April 24, 2023). "English Whisky Guild appoints CEO as industry forecast to possess over £1bn in maturing stock". Worshipful Company of Distillers.
- ^ "Hicks & Healey - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ "Exploring English Whisky: The Taste of Innovation". Whisky 300. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ "Everything you need to know about English whisky". Travel. 2024-05-12. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ "Introduction to English Whisky". The Dram Team. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ "English whisky's Indie heroes". Barley. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ [dead link] Cornish take on Scotch, BBC News, Thursday, 1 May 2003.
- ^ Abbott, Billy (28 July 2017). "English whisky – beating the Scots at their own game?". The Whisky Exchange. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ^ Editorial, CALIBRE (2019-03-13). "The English (Whisky) Renaissance". CALIBRE. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ Barnard, Alfred (1969). The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Google Books: David & Charles. ISBN 9780715344712.
- ^ Jaume, Chris (2017-05-08). "Where English Whisky is Headed in the Next 5 Years". The Yorkshire Gent. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ^ "The English Whisky Map". Inside the Cask. 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "What is English whisky?". Exploring English Whisky. September 6, 2019.
- ^ a b Malczewski, Kate (February 25, 2022). "Producers seek legal definition for English whisky". The Spirits Business.
- ^ Feilden, Eloise (September 12, 2023). "First UK standards on whisky production published". The Drinks Business.
- ^ Whisky, Bulk (May 9, 2022). "English Whisky producers fight for a GI". Bulk Wine & Spirits.
- ^ Dwyer, Phil (2024-05-11). "What Is Happening To English Whisky?". The Whiskey Wash. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ^ "Distillery Directory - Location: England". Distillery Trail.
- ^ "The English Whisky Map - 6th Edition". Inside the Cask. 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ "issue four – World Whisky & more" (in German). Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ De Almeida, André (April 30, 2023). "The English Whisky Map 5th Edition". Inside the Cask.
- ^ Sheldon, Liberty (July 28, 2023). "The Cotswolds Distillery named the most popular whisky distillery in UK and Ireland". The Oxfordshire Live.
- ^ "The Oxford Artisan Distillery partners exclusively with Sip and Savour to scale up UK distribution | Grocery Trader". 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "BBC Spirits imports several leading British brands - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers". m.drinksint.com. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Mangrove UK to distribute English Whisky Co. spirits". TheDrinksReport.com. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "East London Liquor Co joins Mangrove Global portfolio - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers". m.drinksint.com. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Raizada, Ameesha (2023-05-15). "The Lakes Distillery partners with Monarq Group to expand global presence". Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "The Cotswolds Distillery signs with Illva Saronno - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "The Cotswolds Distillery signs with Illva Saronno - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Brands - Whiskybase - Ratings and reviews for whisky". www.whiskybase.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "The English Whisky Map". www.cooperkingdistillery.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ "How many whisky distilleries are in the South East of England?". thebusinessmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ a b Carruthers, Nicola (April 25, 2023). "English Whisky Guild hires CEO". The Spirits Business.
- ^ "English Whisky Guild's first annual report praises category's". www.whiskymag.com. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "English Whisky to roll out the barrel in USA". Business Weekly. December 12, 2012.
- ^ Jeffreys, Henry (October 6, 2022). "How do you define English whisky?". Master of Malt.
- ^ Mourby, Adrian (2021-10-06). "English Whisky". British Travel Journal. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ "English Whisky". Gauntleys of Nottingham. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ Robillard, Hunter. "Guide to English Whisky: 10 Best Distillers & Bottles, Styles". Vinovest. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
- ^ "Hicks & Healey Cornish Whiskey - Ratings and reviews - Whiskybase". Whiskybase.com. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ "The Definitive English Whisky Map". Exploring English Whisky. 2023.
- ^ Evans, Matt (July 12, 2018). "First Lakes single malt sold for £7,900". Scotch Whisky.com.
- ^ Brooker, Alice (September 8, 2022). "White Peak breaks record at auction". The Spirits Business.
- ^ Greenwood, Darren (2023-12-06). "Coopers King Distillery releases 'net zero' whisky". York Press. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
- ^ Malczewski, Kate (2021-12-01). "Samuel Gulliver named official English Rugby whisky". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ Collins, Georgie (2023-09-11). "Samuel Gulliver's celebrates England rugby". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ "By George! – English Whisky at Gauntleys". www.theexchange.uk.net. April 4, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "English Cask Whisky - Adnams and Digital Distiller". www.adnams.co.uk. June 10, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ "Digital Distiller launches specialist English Whisky and Gin Subscription Services". ResponseSource Press Release Wire. 2023-11-23. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ Booth, Martin (April 30, 2024). "International Accolade for Bristol Whisky". Bristol-24/7.
- ^ Case, Charlie (September 26, 2023). "An All English Whisky Festival Will Return To Birmingham This November". Secret Birmingham.
- ^ White, Barrie (December 2, 2023). "Shropshire: Henstone Distillery promotes whisky at Parliament". Border Counties Advertiser.
- ^ Bellwood, Owen (2018-08-28). "WSTA launches English and Welsh whisky trail". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ "English and Welsh Whisky Trail" (PDF). Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
- ^ Murray, Jim (2020). Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2020. Dram Good Books Ltd. pp. 305–317. ISBN 9781838320713.
- ^ Murry, Jim (26 November 2020). Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021. Dram Good Books Ltd. pp. 297–330. ISBN 9781838320706.
- ^ Wisniewski, Ian (2019). The Whisky Dictionary. Octopus. pp. 25–30. ISBN 9781784726393.
- ^ 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.
- ^ The New Single Malt Whiskey: More Than 325 Bottles, From 197 Distilleries, in More Than 25 Countries. Simon and Schuster. 2016-10-25. pp. 191, 193–196, 199, 201 (citations throughout the book). ISBN 978-1-60433-647-4.
- ^ Bruning, Ted; Wheeler, Rupert (2024-11-21). English Whisky: The Journey from Grain to Glass. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0-00-862155-1.
Castle, Ian (16 May 2014). "". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
Rowley, Tom (9 February 2014). "English distillers race to profit from the £4bn whisky boom". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
Footnotes
- ^ Hicks & Healey use the alternative spelling whiskey as well as the county name Cornish whisky[6]
- ^ A submission has been made to obtain a Geographical Indication for the term “English Whisky” [18]
- ^ Benelux is an economic union consisting of Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg
- ^ The Lakes Distillery Genesis Single Malt Whisky was the first to be sold at auction setting a record for English whisky