Cotswolds Distillery - Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky, 70cl - Whisky - Digital Distiller
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl World Whiskies Awards Category Winner 2019
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky, 70cl
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl IWSC Gold Medal - Digital Distiller
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky, 70cl
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl San Francisco Spirits Competition Gold Medal Award
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl Great Taste Award 3 stars - Digital Distiller
Cotswolds Distillery - Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky, 70cl - Whisky - Digital Distiller
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl World Whiskies Awards Category Winner 2019
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky, 70cl
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl IWSC Gold Medal - Digital Distiller
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky, 70cl
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl San Francisco Spirits Competition Gold Medal Award
Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt English Whisky, 70cl Great Taste Award 3 stars - Digital Distiller

Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky, 70cl

Save £-62.99
/

Cotswolds Distillery Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky has matured in American oak red wine (STR) casks that were Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred: a process created by the late Dr. Jim Swan. After ageing, this deeply coloured whisky has been bottled at cask strength, 60.5% alc., bringing out all those toffee, toasty oak, malt and red fruit flavours.

The Cotswolds Distillery was founded in 2013 in Stourton in the heart of the Cotswolds. The distillery started out by making gin, while the whisky range (to which this example belongs) was ageing.
Size: 70cl   Alc: 60.5%
  • Free returns

There's more!

Delivery

Currently we only deliver within the UK. Costs as follows:

£75 or over

  • Standard UK Delivery
  • 3-5 working days
  • Free

Under £75

  • Standard UK Delivery
  • 3-4 working days
  • £4.99

£200 or over

  • Express UK Delivery
  • 1-2 working days
  • Free

Under £200

  • Express UK Delivery
  • 1-2 working days
  • £6.99

Monthly Whisky Subscription

  • FREE STANDARD UK DELIVERY

We do not deliver to the Channel Islands, or to PO Boxes. Deliveries containing alcohol will require proof of age at the time of delivery and may require a signature.

See Shipping and Delivery Page

Returns

We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.

See our Refund and Returns page for more details.
  • Alc: 60.5%
  • Volume: 70cl
  • Vegetarian:
  • Vegan:
  • Suitable for Coeliacs: Yes

Cotswolds Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky: Award-Winning Excellence

Best English Single Malt 2019 | Cask Strength STR Maturation | 100% Cotswolds Barley | 59% ABV | Non-chill filtered

Key Product Information

Distillery: Cotswolds, Stourton

Region: Cotswolds, England

Type: English Single Malt Whisky

ABV: 59% (118 proof) - Cask Strength

Volume: 70cl (700ml)

Casks: STR Red Wine Barriques

Barley: 100% locally-grown Cotswolds

Filtration: Non-chill filtered

Natural colour: Yes

Awards: Best English Single Malt 2019

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dry hay and cut wood with rich dark chocolate. Dried figs and plums in sweet syrup create depth and complexity.

Palate

Warming cereal and toast notes with abundant fresh red fruits. Butterscotch, toffee, and chocolate deliver indulgent richness at cask strength.

Finish

Long and fruity with hints of spicy oak. Abundant dried fruit with lingering nutty, dry notes and warming cloves.

What Makes Cotswolds Founder's Choice Special

  • Founder's Vision: Dan Szor's personal selection showcasing his favourite STR casks from the Cotswolds' first whisky venture
  • Dr. Jim Swan's Innovation: Uses STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred) process pioneered by the legendary consultant who guided the distillery
  • Cotswolds Terroir: Made with 100% locally-grown, floor-malted barley from Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • Cask Strength Power: First cask strength release from Cotswolds, bottled at natural 59% ABV for maximum flavour impact
  • Global Recognition: World Whiskies Awards "Best English Single Malt" winner demonstrating world-class quality

Perfect For

Whisky Enthusiasts Who Enjoy:

  • Cask strength expressions
  • Red wine cask influences
  • Award-winning English whisky
  • Rich, chocolate and fruit flavours

Occasions:

  • Special celebrations and milestones
  • Collector's premium selections
  • Evening contemplative sipping
  • Cotswolds countryside experiences

How to Enjoy Cotswolds Founder's Choice

Neat

Best approached with care at 59% ABV. Serve in a Glencairn glass and allow time to open up, revealing complex layers.

With Water

A generous splash of spring water is recommended to unlock the full flavour profile whilst taming the cask strength intensity.

Cocktails

Excellent in an Old Fashioned where the high proof and rich flavours stand up beautifully to dilution and complementary ingredients.

What Our Customers Say

Customer Rating: 4.5/5 stars (based on 4 verified reviews)

"Great service. Will shop here again. Thanks"

Customers consistently rate this premium expression highly whilst praising Digital Distiller's exceptional service experience.

About Cotswolds Distillery

Founded in 2014 by Dan Szor in the picturesque village of Stourton, Cotswolds Distillery was born from an American expat's dream to create exceptional spirits in one of England's most beautiful regions. Located within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the distillery became the first full-scale operation in this protected landscape. Dan's vision was simple: barley was growing everywhere in the Cotswolds, yet no one was distilling it. Under guidance from the legendary Dr. Jim Swan, Cotswolds has rapidly established itself as a leader in English whisky, producing the region's first single malt and earning global recognition for quality and innovation.

Understanding Cotswolds' Innovation

Cotswolds Distillery represents the perfect marriage of traditional craftsmanship and innovative techniques. Their use of locally-sourced ingredients reflects a true grain-to-glass philosophy, whilst their adoption of STR cask treatment showcases cutting-edge maturation science. The Founder's Choice expression demonstrates how English distilleries can compete with established whisky regions through innovation, terroir expression, and uncompromising quality. At cask strength, this whisky showcases the full potential of English single malt, proving that age is less important than craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and intelligent cask management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes Founder's Choice different from regular Cotswolds whisky?

A: Founder's Choice is matured exclusively in STR red wine barriques (rather than a mix of bourbon and wine casks), bottled at cask strength (59% vs 46%), and represents Dan Szor's personal selection of his favourite barrels.

Q: Is this suitable for whisky beginners?

A: At 59% ABV, this is better suited for experienced whisky drinkers. However, with proper dilution using spring water, it becomes very approachable whilst maintaining its complex character.

Q: What does STR cask treatment involve?

A: STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred) removes the old wine residue, toasts the wood to caramelise sugars, then re-chars for maximum interaction. This creates intense flavour extraction whilst balancing tannins.

Q: How does this compare to Scottish cask strength whiskies?

A: Cotswolds offers a distinctly English character - brighter, more fruit-forward, with the STR wine casks providing chocolate and red fruit notes that differentiate it from traditional Scottish expressions.

Absolutely. You can send a gift message with your order via either SMS or Email:

  • immediately on placing your order
  • at a day and time you choose
  • when the order has just been delivered

Use the 'Add a Gift Message' button on the Cart Page.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Recently viewed
More from Cotswolds Distillery