English Whisky (whisky spelled without an ‘e’ like the Scots) is categorized as a “new world” spirit produced from malt, grains and water. It has become known for its many styles of single malt and blended choices. Brands include Cotswolds, The Lakes, Bimber and The English Distillery. They make whiskies with unique mash bills, regional ingredients and cask finishes, offering sweeter, spicier or smoky profiles that separate them from their Scottish counterparts because there are less regulations surrounding production. English Whisky may include fruit, spices or herbs that are not allowed in Scotch Whisky.
English whisky saw a revival starting in the early 2000s, with many new distilleries opening across England, gaining international recognition. In 2022, the English Whisky Guild was established to protect and promote English whisky. As of last year, there were 24 English Whisky brands.
The English are working to develop a statutory definition for English whisky, including a requirement where the grains and water must be locally sourced. Currently, English whisky producers adhere to European Union Regulation that established the criteria for whisky and specifies that whisky must be matured in wooden casks for three years, contain no additives or sweeteners except for E150a, be matured to a minimum alcohol by volume (ABV) of 40% with a maximum less than 94.8% ABV. English single malt must also be made using malt barley from England and distilled in copper pots at a single distillery in England.
Types of English Whisky include:
Malt Whisky – Produced with malt barley, distilled in copper pots twice and matured in wooden casks for a minimum of three years.
Grain Whisky – Produced at least partly from grains other than barley, such as maize, wheat or rye.
Rye Whisky – Produced using rye grain.
Cornish Whisky – Produced using local produce and is distilled, matured and bottled in Cornwall.
Bourbon – Produced to the same specifications as the USA but with ingredients sourced from the United Kingdom.
Styles include:
Single Malt – Produced using 100% single malt barley within a single distillery.
Triple Malt – Aged in three types of casks but not blended.
Blended Whisky – A combination of malt and grain whisky within a single whisky.
Single Cask – Bottled from a single cask or barrel without blending the whisky.
Small Batch – Produced by mixing the contents of a relatively small number of premium selected barrels.
Peated – Produced using malt barley that has been dried over a fire; this gives the whisky a smoky flavour.
Cask Strength – Bottled from the barrel without any additional water.
The flavour profiles of English Whisky range from sweet and fruity to spicy and smoky.
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A Layman's Wine Musings 