Sampling The Lakes Distillery “Whiskymaker’s Editions Reflections” – Easy To Enjoy – Very Quick To Disappear!

The Whiskymaker’s Editions Reflections is a single malt whisky, designed in collaboration by The Lakes Distillery and Simon Rogan

In collaboration with Simon Rogan, owner of Lake District restaurants including three Michelin starred L’Enclume, Rogan & Co and Henrock, along with destinations in London and Hong Kong, The Lakes Distillery has designed a limited-edition single malt whisky to celebrate 20 years of the group’s past accomplishments, present triumphs, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

A limited-edition whisky created to mark Simon Rogan’s 20th anniversary as a chef/patron

Reflecting an evolutionary journey from the opening of Simon’s first restaurant L’Enclume, to the creation of his Cartmel Valley farm ‘Our Farm’ a few years later, to what is now his eight-strong restaurant portfolio across two continents, The Whiskymaker’s Editions Reflections is a modern interpretation of a classic, inspired by a moment of contemplation amid the natural beauty of the Lake District.

Grounded by earthly connections, a sense of place, and a desire to develop a harmonious relationship between the whisky’s flavours and the sustainable ethos and experience that keeps Rogan at the pinnacle of modern British dining, Reflections is a restrained, elegant and light whisky, but also incredibly vibrant.

Working with The Lakes Distillery on this special collaboration has been an absolute pleasure, especially since we have created something that celebrates our beautiful home in the Lake District.

Reflections is not only an embodiment of The Lakes but also a moment of gratitude and reflection on what has been achieved over the past two decades alongside everything that we have to look forward to.
– Simon Rogan

Suggestive of the autumnal Lake District in character, on tasting Reflections, spiced pumpkin and fragrant wood spice evolve into apple compote, warming cinnamon, and a long, reflective finish.

Bottled at 54% ABV, every bottle is non-chill filtered, natural in colour, and available to enjoy in Simon Rogan’s restaurants, at LakesDistillery.com and as part of November’s Home by Simon Rogan menu.

The Lakes Distillery have kindly sent me a sample of their new dram to try (Thanks Lakes Distillery!)

So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – Lakes Distillery ‘Whiskymaker’s Editions Reflections’ single malt whisky (54%)

Nose: Toffee apple, creamy cane sugar with a little lemon citrus and biscuit.

Palate: Dry, cane sugar sweetness with rich dark toffee.

Finish: Spicy and warming with an astringent grapefruit finish.

Overall: An easy going whisky with some great signature Lakes Distillery flavours. Easy to enjoy – very quick to disappear!

Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are also available to buy from:-

THE LAKES DISTILLERY

On the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick, in The English Lake District, The Lakes Distillery design an exceptional collection of spirits and attracts over 30,000 visitors to their whisky distillery each year.

Twice named “one of eight distilleries to visit before you die” by the World Whisky Day campaign, their bistro and distillery tour experience has held Visit England’s Gold accolade since 2018 and was voted the Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019 by Whisky magazine.

In September 2019, the brand unveiled The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1, their first widely available single malt whisky in what has become an internationally award-winning series showcasing their sherry-led signature style.

Named by The London Stock Exchange Group as one of the ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2020’, The Lakes’ portfolio of spirits includes single malt whisky, blended whisky, gin, and vodka.

Recently, The Lakes Distillery received the following prestigious awards:

2022: World’s Best Single Malt Whisky, World Whiskies Awards: The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4
Outstanding Gold (98/100), International Wine & Spirits Competition: The Lakes Pink Grapefruit Gin.

2021: Best English Blended Whisky, World Whiskies Awards: The One Sherry Cask Finished

2020: Best English Single Malt Whisky, World Whiskies Awards: The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
Gold Award, International Spirit’s Challenge: The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
Spirit Gold Award (95/100), International Wine & Spirit Competition: The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1

2019: World’s Best Vodka, World Vodka Awards: The Lakes Vodka
World’s Best Chocolate Liqueur, World Vodka Awards: The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur

SIMON ROGAN

Simon Rogan is an internationally renowned, award-winning chef, recognised as one of the pioneers of the farm-to-table movement.

In 2002, Simon opened his debut restaurant L’Enclume in The Lake District village of Cartmel, with a focus on hyperlocal and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant currently holds three Michelin stars, the top spot in the Good Food Guide and five AA Rosettes.

In 2017, Simon was recognised as the AA chef of the year and is currently president of the Bocuse d’Or UK team. Simon opened Rogan & Co, his second venture in Cartmel in 2008 which won its first Michelin star in 2018 and currently holds three AA Rosettes. In 2011, Simon established Our Farm in The Lakes, which provides the restaurant group with high-quality, sustainable produce. In 2016, Simon launched Aulis Cartmel, a six-seater chef’s table experience. A London outpost of Aulis arrived in October 2017 as a stand-alone dining destination, an eight-seater chef’s table experience in central Soho.

Simon expanded his restaurant portfolio to Hong Kong, opening Aulis in January 2019 and Roganic in February 2019. In 2002 he opened The Baker & The Bottleman, a bakery and natural wine bar. Roganic Hong Kong was awarded its first Michelin star in December 2019. Simon opened Henrock in October 2019, an informally elegant restaurant set within Linthwaite House, a contemporary country house hotel in the heart of the Lake District. In 2020, in response to the global pandemic, the group launched Home by Simon Rogan, Simon’s delivery offering, providing regularly changing three-course ‘at home’ dining experiences created in The Lakes.