English whiskymaker The Lakes Distillery has announced the release of their latest single malt whisky, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4!
An evolution in the journey to define their sherry-led house style, the new whisky is an artistic exploration of maturation and blending. Supremely balanced and complex, it is a single malt whisky matured in the finest, meticulously sourced Oloroso, PX and red wine casks, comprising Spanish, American and French oak.
At 52% ABV and bottled at natural colour, it possesses the same sherry-led, wood-forward and flavour-packed characteristics of previous releases, with a more restrained, sophisticated, and almost Moorish influence.
From the American and Spanish oak casks, big notes of Manuka honey, sun-dried dates, and roasted cashew nuts lead to layers of dried fruit, nuts and spice, with an indulgent velvet-cream finish.
One of our most complex yet approachable whiskies in the series to date, this is a well-balanced and contemplative whisky, ideal to enjoy after dinner or with good friends.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes Distillery’s whiskymaker
Available now from LakesDistillery.com – the RRP is £65 for a 70cl bottle.
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 – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4 Single Malt Whisky (52%)
Nose: Sherry in abundance! Vanilla, creamy fudge, toffee which is countered by sharp blackcurrant, rich dark chocolate and blood oranges.
Palate: Punchy with sweet sherried fruits, dark chocolate, hints of blackcurrant and orange. Finish: All the flavours above continue along very nicely with the finish ending in dry spiciness. Overall: Morish the Press Release says? Yes I say! A very satisfying blending with some nice sweet, tangy, spicy flavours. More Please! |
Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are available to buy from:-
About Lakes Distillery
On the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick, in The English Lake District, The Lakes Distillery creates an exceptional collection of whiskies, gins and vodkas and attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.
Twice named ‘one of eight distilleries to visit before you die’ by the World Whisky Day campaign, the visitor centre, bistro and tour has held Visit England’s Gold accolade for the last three years and was voted the Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019 by Whisky magazine.
On 7 September 2019, The Lakes Distillery unveiled the first in a series of widely available single malt whisky releases that will showcase their house style, defined by whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi.
The Lakes’ Story
The Lake District has long been a crucible for creativity, a place in which the imagination can flourish, and it’s no different for The Lakes Distillery. Taking inspiration from the UNESCO World Heritage Site where our state-of-the-art distillery has been built meticulously within a 160-year-old farmstead on the banks of the River Derwent, the idea of distilling being distinct individual elements is not how we look at the art. Rather it is part of a continuum, a net of possibilities where everything is interlinked. Change one element and the effect will change everything else.
Only by understanding how flavours are created throughout the spirit’s journey through the distillery can our whiskymaker fully comprehend the possibilities. That is why, unusually, Dhavall Gandhi is actively involved at every stage. It is holistic whisky-making, to ensure every flavour possibility is achieved.
Find out more about our whisky story at www.LakesDistillery.com
Recent Awards
Named by The London Stock Exchange Group as one of the ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2020’ and 19th fastest growing brand in Alantra’s 2019 Food and Beverage Fast 50, The Lakes’ portfolio of award-winning spirits includes single malt whisky, blended malt whisky, blended whisky, gin and vodka. Recently, they received the following prestigious World Drinks awards:
2020:
World’s Best English Single Malt Whisky, No Age Statement (Gold Award) – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
International Spirit’s Challenge (ISC), World Single Malt Whisky (Gold Award) – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2
International Wine And Spirit Competition (IWSC), Spirit Gold Award – The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1
2019:
World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky, No Age Statement (Best in English Category) – Steel Bonnets
World’s Best Blended Limited Release Whisky, No Age Statement (Best in English Category) – The ONE Sherry Expression
World’s Best Gin (Gold Award) – The Lakes Gin
World’s Best Gin Liqueur (Gold Award) – The Lakes Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur
World’s Best Vodka (World’s Best) – The Lakes Vodka
World’s Best Chocolate Liqueur (World’s Best) – The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur
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