This is also my fourth in an occasional series about newer distilleries, this entry is about the Lakes Distillery.
Location
The Lakes Distillery is located near Bassenthwaite in Cumbria.
History
Building work at the distillery started in April 2013 renovating an old dairy farm which had stood empty for 20 years It was founded by Paul Currie who along with his father set up the Arran Distillery.
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| The farm before renovation began |
The distillery opened in November 2014, with spirit flowing on the 16th December.
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| Beautiful gates at the distillery as it looks now |
Production Process
The distillery takes water from the River Derwent on it's journey from Borrowdale to the Irish Sea. They try to use local barley from the Scottish Borders which is malted in Yorkshire.
The twin stills (5,000 litre wash and 3,500 litre spirit) came from Archibald McMillan just outside of Edinburgh and their mashtun and washbacks from Musk in Burton upon Trent.
They plan to lay down around 700 casks per year.
They plan to lay down around 700 casks per year.
Whiskies
The first malt whisky is due to reach 3 years of maturity in December 2017, in the mean time the distillery has been making Gin and Vodka as well as a range of blends using whiskies from around the UK which they are calling the One Blend.
Chris brought three for us to try whilst bringing us up to date on news from the distillery.
Chris brought three for us to try whilst bringing us up to date on news from the distillery.
I didn't try any of these on the night, busy preparing for my Wolfburn presentation which was coming next, so have used the distilleries own tasting notes.
Whisky : The One (NAS)
Characteristics : 700ml, 40% ABV.
Price : £30
Colour : Pale Gold
Nose : Fresh fruits, treacle, light spice and gentle peat-smoke.
Palate : Honey-roasted nuts, spice, and hints of dried fruits and wood smoke
Whisky : The One PX (NAS) limited edition 5,252 bottles
Characteristics : 700ml, 40% ABV.
Price : £40
Colour : Pale Gold
Nose : Dried fruits with hints of fresh ginger, toffee, nutmeg and gentle smoke.
Palate : Smooth and creamy with notes of vanilla, sun-dried raisins, nutmeg and wood smoke.
Whisky : The One Tawny Port Finish (NAS) limited edition 3,740 bottles
Characteristics : 700ml, 40% ABV.
Price : £40
Colour : Amber
Notes : Golden syrup, sweet, nutty, hints of spice, fruit compote, slightly smoky
As a surprise Chris also brought a bottle of freshly drawn bourbon cash matured 2½ year old spirit which still had bits of a cask charring in it - this one I did try!
When left for a few minutes, to allow the spirit to settle, small samples were poured to try.
I can't wait for Lakes to release their first whisky - probably towards the end of this year or early next year. That may be slightly too young, but if they can match what Wolfburn have done it will be good. Early signs are, as I've said, promising and as a well known Irish drinks company say "Good things come to those who wait!"
Back to the #GBMM2017 introduction!
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