Cotswolds Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky
A tale of passion
Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Cotswolds countryside, the Cotswolds Distillery was born from a dream to produce delicious spirits in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.
From hedgefunds to HEDGEROWS
It all started back in 2014, when our founder Dan, a native New Yorker and whisky connoisseur, had moved to the Cotswolds after working in finance in London for many years. Seeking to leave behind that world and spend more time in the picturesque countryside of the Cotswolds with his family, it eventually dawned on him that he could combine his love of whisky with his desire to start a new business. A dedicated whisky fan, Dan saw the fields of golden barley around his house in the Cotswolds and had a brainwave ‘I suddenly thought, there’s barley all over the Cotswolds and nobody’s distilling it, let’s be the first!’ Having found a derelict site near his house, he set about building a distillery and a team to run it, and the doors of the Cotswolds Distillery opened in July 2014.
Launching our WHISKY
After three years of eager anticipation, in October 2017 we released our Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky, the first whisky ever to be distilled in the Cotswolds and the one which remains at the heart of our DNA. In the years since its launch, we have expanded our range of single malt whiskies to include our Cask Collection comprising four unique cask expressions, a yearly limited edition Hearts & Crafts series drawing inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement, and hand-picked single cask releases.
Our Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is a marriage of carefully selected and blended sherry casks and features in our Cask Expressions Collection. Each yearly batch is unique, drawn from the finest American and Spanish oak hogsheads and butts, some of which have been seasoned with dry Oloroso sherry and others with sweet Pedro Ximénez. All have been sherry-aged through their full maturation for a deeper and more flavourful whisky. Full of dried fruits, chocolate and a touch of spice.
Part of our Cask Expressions Collection, our Cask Strength Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky is aged exclusively in our founder Dan's favorite casks: STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine barriques. These highly active casks were created by our mentor and renowned whisky consultant, the late Dr. Jim Swan, and give a rich and intense maturation to our fruity new make spirit, offering strong notes of toffee, chocolate and red fruits, as well as a beautiful, deep color.
CAREFULLY SOURCED 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 flavors.
Water: Village water supply - filtered, softened and demineralized before use.
Wood: STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) American oak ex-red wine casks, designed by the late Dr Jim Swan.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Dry hay and cut wood, with dark chocolate and dried figs, and plums in sweet syrup.
PALATE: Warming cereal and toast notes, with lots of fresh red fruits and butterscotch.
FINISH: Hints of spicy oak, lots of dried fruit and a lingering nutty, dry note.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Best enjoyed on it’s own, but we don’t believe in rules when it comes to drinking whisky – sip this neat, over ice, in a cocktail – however you like!
