Description

Cotswolds English Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 46%           Age: No Age Statement           Country: England

The Whisky

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is the award winning inaugural release from the first full scale distillery in the heart of the English countryside. Bottled at 46% ABV, this expression is a masterclass in transparency and traditional craftsmanship. The spirit is produced using 100% locally grown, floor malted barley from the Cotswolds, which is then fermented for an unusually long period of 90 hours to develop its signature fruity complexity.

The real secret to its rich character lies in the maturation: a meticulous marriage of first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and unique STR (Shaved, Toasted, and Re-charred) ex-Red Wine casks. This specific cask treatment, pioneered by the late Dr. Jim Swan, allows the spirit to extract deep spice and dark fruit notes rapidly without losing the delicate, honeyed profile of the local grain. Non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, this whisky delivers a depth and maturity that punches far above its years.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Fresh and floral, like an English summer garden. Initial aromas of honey, butterscotch, and apricot are lifted by a touch of orange blossom. As the glass warms, deeper notes of red fruits and a hint of dark chocolate from the STR casks emerge, followed by a dusting of cinnamon.

Palate: The mouthfeel is incredibly rich and syrupy. You’ll find layers of cereal maltiness and Seville orange marmalade, followed by a spicy kick of black pepper and ginger. The red wine influence brings a savoury depth of dried red currants and toasted oak, perfectly balancing the sweeter vanilla notes from the bourbon wood.

Finish: Medium to long and elegantly drying. The finish lingers with treacle toffee and dark red berries, leaving a final, clean note of resinous oak and a lingering malted sweetness.

The Distillery

The Cotswolds Distillery, founded in 2014 by Daniel Szor, is located in an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” in Stourton, England. It is one of the few distilleries in the world to insist on traditional floor malting for every batch of its single malt. A unique factual detail: the distillery uses “Mule” and “Odyssey” barley varieties grown exclusively on nearby farms, ensuring the whisky is a true expression of the local terroir. Their copper pot stills, named Mary and Janis, are designed to maximise reflux, creating a light, ester rich spirit that has led the Cotswolds to become the most visited distillery in England.

Overall Review

The Cotswolds Single Malt is widely considered the “Gold Standard” of English whisky, praised by critics for its incredibly rich mouthfeel and sophisticated fruit profile. It is a must have for those seeking a high quality alternative to traditional Scotch Highland malts.