Cotswolds Distillery Introduces New Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky Expression

Adding to their award-winning collection of single malt whiskies, The Cotswolds Distillery is delighted to announce the launch of Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky, the latest addition to the English whisky distillery’s Cask Collection, launching in time for the festive season and a perfect gift for the whisky connoisseur at Christmas.

Located in the Cotswolds, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Cotswolds Distillery is committed to sourcing local ingredients and their award-winning distillery Visitor Centre and their shops in Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water are now stocking the whisky, as well as it being available online. www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

Cotswolds Distillery Founder, Dan Szor, says, “We always planned to launch a Bourbon Cask Single Malt ever since 2014 when we founded the distillery. It’s been a while in the making but it’s definitely been worth the wait. Our house style is to produce spirits with big flavours and by using first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, which arrive at the distillery with their staves soaked in Bourbon whisky, we ensure a full and rich flavour for this wonderful cask strength expression.”

Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky is made with 100% locally grown Cotswold barley and created from select first-fill ex-Bourbon casks in which their rich and fruity single malt spirit has been patiently matured. This sweet and malty cask strength expression is a whisky for purists with classic Bourbon-matured notes of vanilla and honey. It joins the rest of the Cask Collection, which encompasses Cotswolds Founder’s Choice, Cotswolds Peated Cask and Cotswolds Sherry Cask.

The Cotswolds Bourbon Cask expression begins with their new make spirit, which is already smooth, rich and fruity thanks to the pair of yeasts they use, the long 90-hour fermentation and the tight heart cut on the spirit still. They dilute it to 63.5% ABV before filling premium American oak ex-Bourbon casks from Kentucky for full term maturation, allowing the key maturation processes of flavour extraction, oxidation and evaporation to work their magic on the already smooth spirit.

Over the last seven years, the Cotswolds Distillery team have been combining these Bourbon barrels with STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine casks to produce their flagship Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky; yet this is their first whisky bottling to be exclusively Bourbon-matured.

Bottled non-chill filtered at cask strength for maximum flavour and without added colouring.

Ingredients:

Malt: 100% locally grown, traditionally floor malted barley from the Cotswolds.

Yeast: Two complementary varieties – Anchor and Fermentis – to ensure good yields and excellent fruity flavours.

Water: Village water supply – filtered, softened and demineralised before use.

Wood: Premium first-fill ex-Bourbon casks from Kentucky, made from American white oak (Quercus alba).

Tasting notes:

Nose: Decadent vanilla custard with a hint of malt.

Palate: Raisins and caramelised figs, delicate vanilla.

Finish: Subtly earthy with a hint of honey.

RRP: £64.95 | ABV: 59.1%

Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky is available to purchase exclusively from the Cotswolds Distillery shops and online.

www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

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Whisky Cocktails For The Summer From Cotswolds Distillery

 Whisky isn’t only for winter nights; it is the perfect base for summer cocktail creations. Oliver Morris, Head of Mixology at Cotswolds Distillery has created these delicious cocktails which are easy to create at home:

Cotswolds Whisky and Thyme Spritz – gorgeous aromatics from the fresh thyme, introducing eucalyptus notes to a beautiful balance of honeyed sweetness and lemony citrus

Ingredients: 150ml Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky | 25ml Lemon Juice | 15ml honey syrup (2 honey:1 water) | Top up with soda | Sprig of thyme | Garnish with lemon and thyme

 Method:  Muddle thyme in base of shaker, add all other ingredients (except the soda), add ice, shake, fine strain into an ice filled wine glass, top up with soda, stir and serve

Cotswolds Fly Away – sweet nutty coconut, with honeyed malt sweetness made deliciously refreshing with ginger ale

Ingredients: 45ml Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky | 25ml Coconut Water | 5ml Lime Juice | Top up Ginger Ale | 2 dashes of Orange Bitters | Garnish with a wedge of lime

 Method: Place all ingredients into an ice filled shaker (except ginger ale), shake, and strain into an ice filled hi-ball and top up with ginger ale

Cotswolds Peach Tea – A perfect match of flavours to complement the rich and fruity single malt whisky

Ingredients: 30ml Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky | 15ml Cotswolds Triple Sec | 15ml Peach Schnapps | 50ml Black Tea | Garnish – peach slice which can be seared, charred or grilled

 Method: Place all the ingredients into an ice filled shaker. Shake and strain over ice

We hope these have inspired you to get creative with Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky and enjoy a whisky cocktail this summer.

RRP: £39 for 700 ml. ABV 46%.

Available from: Sainsbury’s, tesco.com, waitrose.com, majestic.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.com, Harrods, Laithwaites and cotswoldsdistillery.com

FATHER’S DAY: Celebrate with Whiskies from Cotswolds Distillery

Press Release

FATHER’S DAY: Celebrate with whiskies from Cotswolds Distillery

Why not spoil your Dad this Father’s Day with an English whisky. Cotswolds Distillery, situated in the glorious English countryside, produces stunning single malt whiskies, which would make a very spoiling gift for your Dad.

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky

The award-winning Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky was launched in 2017 and is the first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswolds. The distillery uses 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley and matures the whisky in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels and reconditioned red wine casks. Rich and fruity, Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is sippable with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits. 

Available in a beautiful gift box, it is the perfect gift for a whisky lover and is versatile. Delicious neat, mixed with ginger ale for a longer serve or as an excellent base for cocktail creation. You could spoil your Dad to the Cotswolds Boulevardier cocktail: a rich and warming variation on the Negroni. A delicious marriage of honeyed malt, rich aromatics and bittersweet marmalade.

Ingredients: 45ml Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky | 30ml Sweet Vermouth | 30ml Campari 

Method: Place all the ingredients into an ice filled cocktail jar. Stir and strain into an ice filled rocks glass and garnish with an orange wedge or dehydrated orange wheel 

RRP: £39 for 700 ml. ABV 46%. Available from: selected Sainsbury’s stores,  waitrose.com, ocado.com,  majestic.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.com, Harrods, Laithwaites and cotswoldsdistillery.com

Cotswolds Hearts and Crafts Pineau des Charentes

Cotswolds Distillery have just launched the limited-edition Hearts and Crafts Pineau des Charentes Cask Single Malt Whisky. They have selected a small parcel of premium French oak ex-red wine casks seasoned with white Pineau des Charentes, a wonderful blend of fresh grape juice and cognac.

Each bottle of Cotswolds Hearts and Crafts Pineau des Charentes Cask Single Malt Whisky comes with a limited-edition William Morris design presentation tube. It is a wonderfully indulgent whisky, and the sweet notes from the golden aperitif wine are balanced by the French oak tannins. Perfect for PX sherry fans who are looking for something different and with only 1,600 bottles this is the ultimate gift for a whisky lover or aficionado.

RRP: £74.95 ABV: 55.2% for a 700ml bottle.

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Available to buy exclusively from Cotswolds Distillery.

www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

Miniature Cotswolds Whisky Gift Set

This gorgeous gift set contains three 50ml bottles of the distillery’s signature whiskies: Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky, Cotswolds Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky and Cotswolds Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky and is a great way to explore some of the amazing whiskies the distillery produces.

RRP: £22.95 ABV: Cotswolds Single Malt 46%, Cotswolds Founder’s Choice 60.5% and Cotswolds Peated Cask 59.3%

Available to buy exclusively from www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

Virtual Whisky Tasting Experience

Cotswolds Distillery are hosting monthly live virtual whisky tastings. The tasting costs £24.95 per person and the kit includes a 30ml sample of: White Pheasant New Make Spirit; Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky; Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky; Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky and Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky.

Each virtual tasting takes 60 minutes and is a great way to sample each of the distillery’s expressions from the comfort of your own home.

Available to purchase from: cotswoldsdistillery.com

What better way to spoil your Dad this Father’s Day than with a gift from Cotswolds Distillery.

WORLD WHISKY DAY: Celebrate with These Four Whiskies from Around the Globe

Press Release:

Don’t forget to celebrate World Whisky Day on the 15^th May with these four delicious whiskies and start your tasting journey around the world.

England – Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky

English whiskies are growing in popularity and a great whisky to sample is the award-winning Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky. Launched in 2017 it is the first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswolds. Rich and fruity, Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is sippable with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits. The perfect gift for a whisky lover.

RRP: £39 for 700 ml. ABV 46%. Available from: selected Sainsbury’s stores,  waitrose.com, majestic.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.com, Harrods, Laithwaites and cotswoldsdistillery.com

India – Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky

Rampur Double Cask Single Malt is a hand-crafted single malt whisky matured in hand-selected American Bourbon barrels as well as European Oak Sherry casks chosen by Master Distiller, Anup Barik.

Distilled in traditional copper pot stills, the malt matures for two-thirds of its life in handpicked American Bourbon Barrels and a third in European Oak Sherry Casks at India’s largest distillery and is then non-chill-filtered and bottled at 45%. The combination of Rampur’s unique distilling and the double cask maturation process, sees this luxury Single Malt taking traditional Indian heritage and rooting it in contemporary culture.

Delicate balsamic vanilla notes from the American white oak compliment the full-bodied aroma of tropical fruits, smooth malty tones and oaky notes whilst rich caramel, dried dark fruits and spiced tonality from the European oak add to the depth of flavour.

RRP: £60 for a 70cl bottle ABV:  45%. Available from: amazon.co.uk and  www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Ireland – Shanky’s Whip

A brand-new Irish whiskey-based liqueur, Shanky’s Whip was launched in the UK last month. It is based on a combination of Irish spirits and aged pot still whiskey, blended in with the natural flavour of vanilla infused with caramel.

If you are looking for something a bit different to celebrate the ‘water of life’, Shanky’s Whip won’t disappoint. A smooth, black spirit with a rich and whippy flavour dominated by spicy Irish notes and can be enjoyed in a variety of cocktails such as an Irish Old Fashioned, Cold Whip or The Long and the Short of It or just On the Rocks.

RRP £24.  ABV: 33%. www.shankyswhip.com Instagram: @shankyswhip

Available from Amazon and Master of Malt

Scotland – J&B Rare

One of Europe’s favourite blended whiskies J&B Rare.  This approachable and accessible Scotch appeals to whisky connoisseurs and ‘new world’ drinkers alike. The consistent high quality of the blend, which is light in colour with a smooth and elegant taste, makes it the perfect whisky to be enjoyed as a dram or for an at home cocktail this World Whisky Day.

J&B Rare Whisky is distilled, blended and bottled in Scotland. A blend of 42 malt and grain whiskies, the heart of J&B Rare is formed from the finest Speyside single malts: Knockando, Auchroisk, Strathmill and Glen Spey and is expertly blended to create an approachable, rich and complex flavour. The round, fruity, unique and distinctive taste of the fine malt whiskies is delicately balanced by carefully chosen grain whiskies which gives J&B Rare its distinctive character.
RRP: £22.50, ABV: 40%J&B Rare is available from: Waitrose stores, amazon.co.uk, thewhiskyexchange.commasterofmalt.com and Justerini & Brooks

Mexico – Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila

If you are looking to try something totally different this World Whisky Day Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila would be a great alternative.

Storywood, a tequila with the heart of Mexico and the soul of Scotland, was created by founder Michael Ballantyne who was born in Scotland and raised in Texas.  After an unexpected meeting with Master Distiller Luis Trejo at La Cofradia Distillery in Mexico, Michael began the journey of this delicious tequila by expertly ageing 100% agave liquid in single malt whisky casks from Speyside and creating the world’s first sipping tequilas.

The whisky-like characteristics drawn from the wood mean that Storywood Tequilas can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Award-winning Storywood Tequila Speyside 14 Añejo is smooth and hiding in every deep amber sip are notes of toasted oak, roasted nuts and treacle toffee.

Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila: RRP £47.45 for 700ml. ABV: 40%

Available from: amazon.co.uk, masterofmalt.com, thewhiskyexchange.com and storywoodtequila.com With this excellent selection of whiskies celebrating World Whisky Day will be a great way to travel around the world!

COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY LAUNCH: Hearts and Crafts Pineau De Charentes Cask Single Malt Whisky

Press Release

In celebration of St George’s Day Cotswolds Distillery is releasing today its second Heart and Crafts expression, which is a single malt whisky aged in Pineau de Charentes casks.

Pineau de Charentes is a little-known regional specialty of the Charentes Maritime region of France, sitting north of Bordeaux and encompasses the Cognac-producing region. It is made from fresh grape juice, which is blended with Cognac and left to age in oak barrels for a number of years. The sweetness of the grape juice tempers the bite of the Cognac, which combined with dry nutty notes from European oak casks makes it a great aperitif.

Cotswolds Hearts and Crafts Pineau de Charentes Cask has been aged in the white grape Pineau casks and the French oak imparts a slightly more bitter and tannic note than the American oak used by the distillery for aging their whisky. 

‘I first started drinking Pineau on a trip to the beautiful Atlantic island of Isle de Ré, just off the cost of La Rochelle, in 1994 and I’ve always had a soft spot for it’, says Daniel Szor, Cotswolds Distillery Founder ‘hence the excitement at the idea of aging our Cotswolds single malt spirit in these casks.’

The whisky has been matured for its full term in the casks, and the techniques of rejuvenation and seasoning under pressure allows the distillery to get the best out of the wine and the wood. As the woodgrain is not tight, more tannins come into the spirit.

Inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement this second expression continues with a William Morris design, which is both classic and contemporary. This prolific and innovative designer was one of the leaders of the Arts and Crafts Movement, which was created in the late 19^th century and stood for the importance of traditional craftsmanship, the same values upon which the beautiful rural distillery was built.  William Morris spent much of his time in the summer in his Cotswolds home, Kelmscott Manor and the verdant green leaves featured on the label and luxury gift box are perfect for the lushness and vitality of spring and celebrate St George’s Day which is a highlight of spring festivities.

Tasting Notes:

Cotswolds Hearts and Crafts Pineau de Charentes Cask is wonderfully indulgent. The sweet notes of this golden aperitif wine are balanced by the French oak tannins. Perfect for PX sherry fans who are looking for something different.

Nose: wonderfully rich, tonka bean, marzipan and caramelised peaches

Palate: raisins, brazil nuts, toffee, fudge and dried orange peel 

Finish: warm and long finish, hints of white pepper and almonds

RRP: £74.95 ABV: 55.2% for a 700ml bottle.

Instagram @cotswoldsdistillery, Twitter @Cotswoldistill

Available to buy exclusively from Cotswolds Distillery. There are 1,600 bottles available.