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Introducing & Sampling The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Colheita” From The Lakes Distillery!

September 1, 2020 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Whiskymaker’s Editions, Colheita

A diversion from their sherry-led house style, The Whiskymaker’s Editions Colheita is the first in a series of special-edition single malt whiskies from The Lakes Distillery which showcase whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi’s sense of adventure in maturation and blending.

Each unique bottling is an expression of creative freedom, the product of a playground where instinct, experience and inspiration roam free, coming together to realise one intrinsic objective: the creation of outstanding flavours.

Each of the 5,400 bottles of The Whiskymaker’s Editions Colheita is non-chill filtered, bottled at the natural colour

In exploring an alternative side of The Lakes Single Malt, the inaugural release brings Colheita Port’s influence into the frame.

In Portuguese, Colheita means “harvest” and in this case, is a supreme and exceptionally rare expression of aged Tawny Port made exclusively of grapes from a single vintage.

Smooth and refined, maturation in the finest, meticulously sourced Colheita Port casks has been complemented by a very small proportion of Bourbon barrels to enhance and contrast certain flavour characteristics.

The Whiskymaker’s Editions is an intentional deviation from our house style, created to showcase a different personality of The Lakes Single Malt.

This particular expression has been designed to be a little more fun, fruity and easy to drink and, as a limited-edition, is perfect for anyone who appreciates The Lakes’ house style but wants to experience and explore the other side of The Lakes Single Malt.

My role as a whiskymaker is to unlock the infinite variables and never-ending flavour possibilities throughout the liquid’s journey through the distillery and, in the future, more Editions will follow.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes whiskymaker

At 52% ABV and with a recommended retail price of £65, each of the 5,400 bottles of The Whiskymaker’s Editions Colheita is non-chill filtered, bottled at the natural colour and available from LakesDistillery.com

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

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

Tasting Notes – The Whiskymaker’s Editions “Colheita” Single Malt Whisky (52%)


Colour: Light sherry with a dash of porty redness in there!

Nose: Immediate porty flavours with some apple & orange. The port becomes sweeter with time and there’s hints of wood polish.

Palate: Creamy, stewed fruits with an almost Christmasy feel to it with some light port flavours.

Finish: Warming finish that’s punchy and spicy but not too brutal – very smooth indeed!

Overall: A lovely, smooth dram that belies it’s 52% strength. It’s not overpowering so can be easily drunk neat.

I still think that there are strong hints of their familiar sherry-led house style but it’s not a criticism – I like their sherry-led house style!

In Portuguese, Colheita means “harvest”

Many thanks to Lakes Distillery (@LakesWhisky) for sending me such a fantastic sample!

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

  • LakesDistillery.com
  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange

Filed Under: English, Lakes Distillery, Sampling, Whisky tasting

Sampling The Lakes Distillery ‘One Collection’ – Four Drams – ‘One’ Standard Of Excellence!

August 19, 2020 by Gary Leave a Comment

Four samples – So what did I think?

In an earlier post I gave details of The Lakes Distilleries addition of two new whiskies to their One collection – The One Orange Wine Cask Finished Whisky and The One Sherry Cask Finished Whisky.

The One Orange Wine Cask

With The Lakes Single Malt at its heart – blended with select Scotch grain and malt whiskies from the Highlands, Speyside and Islay – The One collection is a showcase of maturation expertise, with each singular release demonstrating the different flavours that can be derived from the finest oak casks.

They are Non-chill filtered and bottled at the natural colour and the latest addition to the expressions have been finished in Andalusian Orange Wine casks and Sherry casks. They join The One and the Port Cask releases.

The Lakes Distillery have kindly sent me samples of the four drams in their One collection to try (thanks!) So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – The One (46.6%)


Nose: Hints of wood and fresh citrus with vanilla and fresh apples.

Palate: Sweet, with stewed sultanas, a hint of liquorice and melon. Slight smokiness.

Finish: Spicy and peppery with a dry oak finish. A little liquorice. Quite short and little tanin feel on the tongue.

Overall: An excellent blended whisky. Warming, moreish and easily drinkable!

£39.00

Tasting Notes – The One Orange Wine Cask Finished Whisky (46.6%)


Nose: A slow burner this one with faint tangerine, banofee pie and biscuit sprinkled with a little vanilla.

Palate: Sweet, with intense and creamy vanilla plus additional pleasant hints of orange.

Finish: Very smooth with a little pepper but the sweetness maintains throughout. The spiciness increases with more sampling though!

Overall: A subtle dram but it grows on you (much like the spiciness!)

£48.00

The One Sherry Cask

Tasting Notes – The One Sherry Cask Finished Whisky (46.6%)


Nose: Lovely rich and fruity with aromas of furniture polish and hints of chocolate.

Palate: Plump fruity Xmas cake with creamy, fudgy vanilla. A joy!

Finish: Some cheeky spice compliments well with the Seasonal flavours.

Overall: This is really very yummy indeed! Cracking full flavours that made me wish for roaring fires and decorated trees!

£48.00

Tasting Notes – The One Port Cask Finished Whisky (46.6%)


Nose: Light port with sweet vanilla.

Palate: Sweet, fruity port flavours with spicy vanilla.

Finish: Un-mistakeable spiciness – always there with a Lakes dram!

Overall: A tasty dram but not as rich in flavour when compared with the Sherry Cask.

£48.00

The One Collection

Many thanks to Lakes Distillery (@LakesWhisky) for sending me such fantastic samples!

I think of the four – The One Sherry Cask Finished Whisky is my favourite!

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

  • LakesDistillery.com
  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange

Filed Under: English, Lakes Distillery, Sampling, The One, Whisky tasting

The Lakes Distillery’s ‘One Whisky’ Collection Adds Orange & Sherry To It’s Range!

July 2, 2020 by Gary 1 Comment

The One Collection

The Lakes Distillery has unveiled two new whiskies as part of The One collection; The One Orange Wine Cask Finished Whisky and The One Sherry Cask Finished Whisky.

With The Lakes Single Malt at its heart – blended with select Scotch grain and malt whiskies from the Highlands, Speyside and Islay – The One collection is a showcase of maturation expertise, with each singular release demonstrating the different flavours that can be derived from the finest oak casks.

Non-chill filtered and bottled at the natural colour, to add a new dimension to the whisky’s flavour profile, the latest expressions have been finished in Andalusian Orange Wine casks and sherry casks.

THE ONE ORANGE WINE CASK FINISHED WHISKY

The One Orange Wine Cask Finished Whisky

Rather than opting for traditional orange drinking wine casks, The One whisky has been finished in first-fill American oak casks, seasoned with exceptionally rare ‘Vino de Naranja’.

Made solely in Huelva, Andalusia, on the southern coast of Spain, this is an aromatised wine produced in small quantities, usually for personal consumption. Seville orange peel is macerated into a grape-based spirit and gently aged in oak casks, creating a very elegant ‘Naranja Wine’ with texture, flavour, and nuances of orange peel.

Limited to only 2,994 bottles, the resulting whisky boasts fresh lychee, marmalade and hints of tobacco on the nose, with flavours of gentle peat, tropical fruits and candied orange peel leading to a clean and smooth finish.

THE ONE SHERRY CASK FINISHED WHISKY

The One Sherry Cask Finished Whisky

Bottled at the natural colour, The One Sherry has been finished in PX and Oloroso casks and is heavily influenced by Spanish oak characters. It enjoys a deep, rich and more intense flavour.

With 4,512 bottles in the UK, an enticing aroma of Medjool dates, sun-dried raisins, sultanas and polished wood leads to Macadamia nuts, dark chocolate and gentle smoke on the palate, with a long, warming and rich finish.

To appreciate the art of whiskymaking you must first understand that flavour is created throughout the whiskymaking process. For The Lakes Whisky, it is the art of blending and the interaction between the spirit, air and oak which creates the layers of complexity and character.

The oak type and the liquid used to season that oak add their personalities as they integrate with the whisky. Working in combination they produce a myriad of flavour combinations, which is precisely what The One collection seeks to reveal.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes whiskymaker

Earlier releases in The One collection include The One Port Cask Finished Whisky, finished in first-fill Tawny Port Casks from Portugal, and The One Signature Whisky, which blends complementary and contrasting flavours from an array of The Lakes’ bespoke oak casks to create a whisky with depth, roundness and harmony.

Bottled at 46.6% ABV, The One Orange Wine Cask Finished Whisky and The One Sherry Cask Finished Whisky both have a recommended retail price of £48 and are available from LakesDistillery.com

Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are available to buy from these Merchants:-

  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange

Filed Under: English, Lakes Distillery, News

Sampling ‘The Whiskymakers Reserve No.3’ From Lakes Distillery!

July 1, 2020 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Whiskymakers Reserve No.3!

Sampling The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 single malt whisky!

Released mid-June, the third expression in The Lakes Distillery’s Whiskymaker’s Reserve series has been unveiled as a new and aromatic single malt whisky, matured in the finest, meticulously sourced PX, Oloroso, Cream Sherry, and red wine casks.

Appealing to those who appreciate the complexity of a multi-layered approach to flavour creation, it is an artistic exploration of whisky maturation and blending; an evolution in the journey to define a sherry-led house style for The Lakes Single Malt.

Subtly distinct and unique, it follows two sold-out releases, the first a vibrant, robust and cask strength introduction to The Lakes Single Malt, with number two offering a much more elegant and refined character.

At 54% ABV, as with all Lakes whisky, each of the 9,700 bottles is non-chill filtered and bottled at natural colour.

Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 has a recommended retail price of £65

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 has a recommended retail price of £65 and is available from LakesDistillery.com, where you can also discover more about The Lakes’ holistic approach to whiskymaking.

The Lakes Distillery kindly sent me a sample to try (thanks!) So, what did I think? Here are my tasting notes …

Tasting Notes – The Whiskymakers Reserve No.3 (54%)


Nose: Apples, pears, caramel fudge and rich sherry – rich dark chocolate combined with vanilla comes after residing in the glass awhile.

Palate: Rich fruits, red wine and creamy fudge laced with sweet sherry – very nice indeed!

Finish: Strong, warming spicy finish which has quite a punch! A few drops of water seems to bring out even more fire!

Overall: I think this is my favourite of the three! The sherry and sweetness coupled with the fiery spice is a winning combination for me.

Many thanks to Lakes Distillery (@LakesWhisky) for sending me such a tasty sample!

Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are available to buy from these Merchants:-

  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange

Filed Under: English, Lakes Distillery, Sampling, Whisky tasting

Lakes Distillery Releases ‘The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3’ Malt Whisky!

June 15, 2020 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 single malt whisky!

Introducing The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 single malt whisky!

Released today, 15th June, the third expression in The Lakes Distillery’s Whiskymaker’s Reserve series has been unveiled as a new and aromatic single malt whisky, matured in the finest, meticulously sourced PX, Oloroso, Cream Sherry, and red wine casks.

Appealing to those who appreciate the complexity of a multi-layered approach to flavour creation, it is an artistic exploration of whisky maturation and blending; an evolution in the journey to define a sherry-led house style for The Lakes Single Malt.

Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 has a recommended retail price of £65

Subtly distinct and unique, it follows two sold-out releases, the first a vibrant, robust and cask strength introduction to The Lakes Single Malt, with number two offering a much more elegant and refined character.

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 is different again. Boasting an aromatic and seductive influence, the nose is rich and fragrant, scented with incense, spiced chocolate and toffee. With accompanying flavours of honey, figs, and wood spice on the palate, it leaves a long, warm and lingering finish.

At 54% ABV, as with all Lakes whisky, each of the 9,700 bottles is non-chill filtered and bottled at natural colour.

To create our sherry-led house style we use a variety of sherry casks, with a significant proportion being first-fill. The spectrum of flavours achieved through the use of these casks is layered through blending to create the depth and complexity associated with The Whiskymaker’s Reserve.

Each expression is then married over twelve months, allowing the flavours to gently integrate and develop.

In the case of Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3, I have used Oloroso, Cream and PX casks in combination with a small number of red wine casks, to contrast some of the dried-fruit characters and create the aromatic top-note and seductive texture.

Whiskymaking is an additive process. You add, create, and control the flavours at every small step, and, at The Lakes, I am fortunate to have a complete overview of the end-to-end whiskymaking process. From start to finish, my approach is much more holistic, meaning I can nurture and develop the flavours that are created in the early stages until the very end. This is what sets our whisky apart.
– Dhavall Gandhi: Lakes Distillery Whiskymaker

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.3 has a recommended retail price of £65 and is available from LakesDistillery.com, where you can also discover more about The Lakes’ holistic approach to whiskymaking.

Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies (& Gins) are available to buy from these Merchants:-

  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange

Filed Under: English, Lakes Distillery, News

World Whisky Day: A Virtual Celebration!

May 15, 2020 by Gary Leave a Comment

World Whisky Day – a virtual celebration!

With many World Whisky Day (this Saturday 16th. May 2020) gatherings on hold, master distillers from around the globe will come together for a free online experience celebrating the diversity of whiskymaking!

In keeping with the spirit of the day, the inclusive event will be streamed live on Facebook at 5pm (BST) and, while encouraging people to try something new, it will explore the influence of location on whisky maturation.

Special guest Dhavall Gandhi, whiskymaker at The Lakes Distillery (England), will be joined in conversation by Tomer Goren, master distiller at Milk & Honey (Israel), and Michael D’Souza, master distiller at Paul John Distilleries (India) to delve deep into the different ethos, methods and techniques that mean great whisky can be made anywhere in the world.

Dhavall Gandhi, whiskymaker at The Lakes Distillery

Inspired by the majestic beauty of their home in The Lake District National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Lakes see the art of whiskymaking as part of a continuum, a net of possibilities where everything is interlinked. Respecting tradition and being sensitive to how the climate affects the conversation between oak and air and spirit, they flow new ideas around this frame and innovate at every stage to make their whisky more flavourful.

Tomer Goren, master distiller at Milk & Honey

Inspired by the city of Tel Aviv, Israel’s first whisky distillery benefits from an average of 300 sunny days each year and the Mediterranean climate means whisky ages quickly and gracefully. Taking on a specific terroir which yields unique flavours that differ from their old-world counterparts, their methods, technique, and equipment carry on centuries-old knowledge and keep to the tradition of a minimum three years of ageing.

Whiskymakers Tomer Goren, Dhavall Gandhi, Micheal DSouza

Michael D’Souza, master distiller at Paul John Distilleries

Established in 1992, Paul John’s Single Malt whiskies hail from the sultry Indian coast of Goa and are made from carefully chosen indigenous ingredients – barley, water and yeast – that together create a radiance of a different kind. The combination of a tropical climate and an additional climate-controlled underground warehouse ensure the whisky develops a distinctive composition of flavours, giving a unique configuration on the palate.

All distilleries have a creation story, that moment of inspiration, some might say madness, when someone decides that they need to make whisky.

Often allied to that is the choice of location and, if you strip it back to basics, what you need to make whisky is the right to use lots of cold, clean water, space for storing casks, and access to the market. If these requirements are met you can make great whisky anywhere, but great whisky cannot be made by just anyone.

World Whisky Day is about educating as many people as possible about whisky and making it fun and enjoyable, and that is precisely what this virtual event is centred around.
– Dhavall Gandhi: Whiskymaker at The Lakes Distillery

Free to join on the @thelakesdistillery Facebook page, sit back, relax, pour a whisky and join master blenders from England, Israel and India in conversation from the comfort of your own home.

Filed Under: Events, Lakes Distillery, News

Sampling The Lakes Distillery ‘Whiskymakers Reserve No.1’ – A Cracking Dram Created By A Whisky Extraordinaire!

October 18, 2019 by Gary Leave a Comment

The Whiskymakers Reserve No.1

Well the Lakes Distillery ‘Whiskymakers Reserve No.1’ has now sold out at their Distilleries Shop (and a lot of other stores as well!) which kind of took me by surprise really as I was just about to blog about my sampling of it!

Dhavall Gandhi

Never mind, I still think think it’s worth sharing my tasting notes as the No.1 is still available elsewhere (see below) and it’s a cracking dram!

You’ll find a description of The Whiskymakers Reserve No.1 here.

I think what stands out to me is The Lakes Distillery whisky blender extraordinaire Dhavall Gandhi. He is a Gent that likes to experiment and do things a little differently – as proved by a visit I was lucky enough to make last year.

At one point a group of us were sampling the various stages their whisky goes through before arriving at a saleable product. We were all very surprised when he just up and took us into their warehouse to sample other various whiskies straight from the barrel to demonstrate different flavour profiles!

Never would any other whiskymaker else do that – what a star!

Dhavall Gandhi takes to some barrel climbing!

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

Lakes Distillery – ‘The Whiskymakers Reserve No.1’ (60.6%)


Nose: Crisp green apples, creamy vanilla and caramel. Sweet oranges, raisins and a little chocolate. Give it time though – some of these aromas take a little time to develop. Well worth the wait though!

Palate: Orange, apples and smooth vanilla but watch out for that alcohol!

Finish: Powerful, punchy spice with a long fruity, oaky finish which has some welcome sweetness to it.

Overall: 60.6% shows it’s muscle here and it’s quite intense!
Adding a little water retains that alcohol hit (if that’s what you want) but it does release more of it’s flavours. This lessens the punch to give a pleasanter spice and bringing out a creamier finish. In fact, for the first time, I added more water than my usual few drops and No.1 held it’s own nicely – lovely and creamy!

All-in-all a lovely dram. Lakes Distillery drams just keep on getting better and better!


Currently, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1. can be bought online from:-
□ @house_of_malt

□ @HarveyNichols

And is available for collection from:-
□ @TheWhiskyShop

I don’t doubt this will change fast though!

Many thanks to Lakes Distillery (@LakesWhisky) for sending me the sample and I’ll try to be a bit quicker off the mark next time!

Other Lakes Distillery Whiskies & Gins are available to buy from these Merchants:-

  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange

Filed Under: English, Lakes Distillery, Sampling, Whisky tasting

The Lakes Distillery “Whiskymaker’s Reserve” – SOLD OUT – Now Time For No.2!

October 17, 2019 by Gary 1 Comment

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2

Following the sale of all 5,992 individually numbered bottles of their first widely available single malt whisky in just five weeks, The Lakes Distillery has unveiled the second release in The Whiskymaker’s Reserve series.

Available NOW for £65 from LakesDistillery.com!

An artistic exploration of maturation and blending; of flavour evolution and defining a sherry-led house style for The Lakes Single Malt, the architecture of The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2 has evolved in keeping with The Lakes’ increasing sherry-cask influence.

Without an age statement, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2 is a new, intense and robust single malt, bottled at cask strength – 60.9% ABV – and matured in the finest, meticulously sourced PX, red wine and bourbon casks.

With only 4,788 bottles available in the UK, the nose is rich and complex with dry fruits and treacle, creamy layers of wood spice, comforting vanilla on the palate, and a long and luxurious finish.

Non-chill filtered for a richer mouthfeel and fuller flavour, each bottle uses only the natural colours derived from the oak casks.

We are delighted to have received such a positive reaction to The Lakes Single Malt. The response has been fantastic and although you can no longer buy direct from the distillery, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1 will continue to be available in a variety of specialist whisky stores and retailers, whilst their stocks last.

At The Lakes, we understand how flavours are created throughout the entire whisky-making process. The result is a rich and varied artist’s palate, and The Whiskymaker’s Reserve is a series of artistic interpretations, each a different variation on a theme, brought together to create something new and unique.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes Distillery whiskymaker

Released on the 17th October, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.2 has a suggested retail price of £65 and can be bought from LakesDistillery.com where you can also discover more about The Lakes’ holistic approach to whisky-making.

The Lakes Distillery

Situated on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick, in The English Lake District, the site attracts over 100,000 visitors a year.

The distillery has twice been named ‘one of eight distilleries to visit before you die’ by the World Whisky Day campaign. The visitor centre, bistro and tour holds Visit England’s Gold accolade and was voted the Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019 by Whisky magazine.

The portfolio of award-winning spirits includes single malt whisky, blended malt whisky, blended whisky, gin and vodka; and 2019 has been another successful year with The Lakes receiving eight prestigious World Liqueur Awards:

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 Gin Liqueur (Silver Award) – The Lakes Damson 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
World’s Best Coffee Liqueur (Gold Award) – The Lakes Espresso Vodka Liqueur

Filed Under: Lakes Distillery, News

The Lakes Distillery “Whiskymaker’s Reserve” – Inspired By Nature!

September 7, 2019 by Gary 1 Comment

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve

The Lakes Distillery has unveiled the first in a series of widely available single malt whisky releases that will showcase the house style defined by their whiskymaker, Dhavall Gandhi.

“Creating a new whisky requires a framework of sorts, but there must be room within it to play, to follow gut feeling and instinct.”

Inspired by nature, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1 is an artistic exploration of maturation and blending; of flavour evolution and defining a sherry-led house style.

With 5,922 individually numbered bottles at a cask strength of 60.6% ABV, it is a full-bodied expression, matured in the finest, meticulously sourced PX and red wine casks, comprising American, Spanish and French oak.

Non-chill filtered and bottled at the natural colour, the nose is rich and vibrant with vanilla, chocolate and wood spice, layers of dry fruits, ginger and orange on the palate and a long, warming finish.

Joining The Lakes Distillery for the opportunity to define the house style of the new distillery, whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi is an expert in flavour creation, maturation – particularly in sherry-casks – and blending.

Creating a new whisky requires a framework of sorts, but there must be room within it to play, to follow gut feeling and instinct.

At The Lakes, we respect the conventions of Scotch whisky heritage but are open to a world of other influences, interpreting what we believe is right to make The Lakes Single Malt one of the finest whiskies in the world.

We don’t believe in taking the easy option if there’s another way to add a new dimension of flavour. For The Lakes, that means not only creating flavour in the new-make-spirit but also opening up more flavour possibilities throughout the journey through the entire whisky-making process.
– Dhavall Gandhi: The Lakes Distillery whiskymaker

The standard type of ex-sherry cask used in the whisky industry is a 500-litre ‘butt’ made from European oak, seasoned with Oloroso. This large size makes it ideal for longer-term maturation and gives the spirit notes of dried fruit, clove and a firm tannic grip. The Lakes, on the other hand, has widened the net.

As well as this type of sherry cask, they are also maturing their single malt in PX, Cream and the drier Fino. Furthermore, these casks are made from Spanish, American and French oak in 500-litre ‘butts’ and 205-litre ‘hogsheads’.

The idea of distilling being distinct individual elements is not how we look at the art. We see whisky-making as part of a continuum, a net of possibilities where everything is interlinked. Change one element and the effect will change everything else.

That is why, unusually, Dhavall is actively involved at every stage of the process. From the choice of barley to the intricacy of bespoke cask production and selection, and knowing each cask intimately as it matures. It’s holistic whisky-making.
– Nigel Mills: co-founder of The Lakes Distillery

A series of bottlings will follow, with the architecture of each release evolving in keeping with The Lakes increasing sherry-cask influence.

Launched on the 7th September, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.1 retails at £65 and can be bought from www.LakesDistillery.com where you can also discover more about The Lakes’ philosophy and holistic approach to whisky-making.

The Lakes Distillery

Situated on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick, in The English Lake District, the site attracts over 100,000 visitors a year.

The distillery has twice been named ‘one of eight distilleries to visit before you die’ by the World Whisky Day campaign. The visitor centre, bistro and tour holds Visit England’s Gold accolade and was voted the Icons of Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year 2019 by Whisky magazine.

The portfolio of award-winning spirits includes single malt whisky, blended malt whisky, blended whisky, gin and vodka; and 2019 has been another successful year with The Lakes receiving eight prestigious World Liqueur Awards:

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 Gin Liqueur (Silver Award) – The Lakes Damson 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
World’s Best Coffee Liqueur (Gold Award) – The Lakes Espresso Vodka Liqueur

Filed Under: Lakes Distillery, News

Sampling “Steel Bonnets” From Lakes Distillery – Much More Than Just A Blend!

September 11, 2018 by Gary Leave a Comment

Steel Bonnets retails for around £64.95

Steel Bonnets, The Lakes Distillery’s blend of English and Scotch malt whisky, has recently been awarded a Gold Medal in the World Whisky Ultra-Premium category (whiskies priced over £51) by the prestigious Spirits Business Awards. More info. here.

The Lakes Distillery kindly sent me a sample to try (thanks very much!) so I thought I’d put my taste-buds to the grindstone and get down to the task of sampling whisky!

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

“I’m sure the tastes would have developed even more with time but it didn’t last that long in the glass!”

Steel Bonnets (46.6%)


Nose: Crunchy red apples, vanilla and smooth caramel fudge abound. There’s also some oak wood and a little citrusy lemon.

Palate: Vanilla, caramel and crisp apples.

Finish: Quite long finish with some nice peppery spice countered with sweet vanilla. End notes of tobacco dryness and also (surprisingly!) a little salt.

Overall: Much more than just a simple, one-dimensional blend. Steel Bonnets is a smooth, sweet sensation with some added spice kick at the end.
I’m sure the tastes would have developed even more with time but it didn’t last that long in the glass!

Steel Bonnets retails for around £64.95

For more information, please visit: www.lakesdistillery.com

Lakes Distillery is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange
  • Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
  • Abbey Whisky
  • The Whisky Barrel
  • The Green Welly Stop
  • Whisky Online

Filed Under: Lakes Distillery, Sampling, Whisky tasting

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