Award-Winning English Whisky
The English whiskies that judges and drinkers keep coming back to, with the medals to prove it
| Whisky & Distillery | Strength & Style | Cask & Award | Tasting Experience | Perfect For... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Filey Bay Flagship
Spirit of Yorkshire, farm to bottle in Filey
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46% Alc. 70cl bottle Fruity single malt |
Ex-Bourbon Casks 100% Yorkshire Barley Non-Chill Filtered Gold, IWSC 2025 100% locally grown barley, matured in bourbon casks, natural colour. |
Nose: Honeycomb, vanilla and peachy orchard fruit Palate: Creamy and light with soft fruit Finish: Floral, with gingerbread and citrus peel |
Newcomers to English whisky and anyone who likes a fruitier, easy-going malt |
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Wire Works Caduro
White Peak, Derbyshire
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46.8% Alc. 70cl bottle Lightly peated single malt |
Ex-Bourbon & STR Casks Lightly Peated Non-Chill Filtered Multiple Golds Signature Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred wine casks add fruit depth; distilled at a former wire works by the River Derwent. |
Nose: Green apple, banana and candy cane Palate: Citrus zest, cereal and tobacco Finish: Warm and spicy with a wisp of smoke |
Drinkers who want gentle smoke and something a little different from the norm |
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Cotswolds Signature
Cotswolds Distillery, the first single malt distilled in the Cotswolds
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46% Alc. 70cl bottle Rich single malt |
Ex-Bourbon & Red Wine Casks Locally Grown Barley Gold, World Whisky Masters Barley grown locally in the Cotswolds, distilled in copper pot stills, matured in a mix of ex-bourbon and red wine casks. |
Nose: Honey, butterscotch and stone orchard fruit Palate: Marzipan, treacle and spiced marmalade Finish: Rich and warming |
Those who like a fuller, riper, red-wine-cask style of malt |
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Adnams Rye Malt
Adnams, rye grown on the family farm in Reydon, Suffolk
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47% Alc. 70cl bottle Rye-led English whisky |
New French Oak 75% Rye / 25% Barley 5+ Years Gold & Best English Rye, World Whiskies Awards Rye grown on the Adnams family farm, matured at least five years in new French oak. |
Nose: Candied fruit, marzipan, vanilla and black peppercorns Palate: Spicy rye bread, raisin fudge and honey Finish: Long, with pepper, coffee and honeyed sweetness |
Drinkers who enjoy a spicier profile, and cocktail makers |
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Henstone Ex-Bourbon Cask
Henstone, Shropshire, distilled in a still named Hilda
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43.8% Alc. 70cl bottle Single-cask single malt |
Ex-Bourbon Casks Single Cask Non-Chill Filtered Gold, World Whisky Masters 2022 A single-cask release, mashed, distilled, matured and bottled on site; natural colour, around 300 to 350 bottles. |
Nose: Ripe red fruit, creamy malt, chocolate and nuts Palate: Smooth and balanced with orchard fruit and hazelnuts Finish: Long and buttery |
Drinkers who like an easy-going bourbon-cask malt and single-cask rarity |
Alex's Selection Guide: If you are new to English whisky, Filey Bay Flagship is where I would start; it is fruity, gentle and hard to fault for the price. For a bit more character, Wire Works Caduro brings light smoke and clever cask work. Cotswolds Signature is the richer, red-wine-cask option, while Adnams Rye Malt is the one to reach for if you like spice or want a whisky that stands up in a cocktail. Henstone Ex-Bourbon Cask is the single-cask treat for anyone who likes a smooth, easy-drinking malt.What "award-winning" actually means for English whisky
Whisky awards are judged blind by panels of experts, so a gold medal tells you the liquid impressed on its own terms, without the label to sway the verdict. The competitions that carry the most weight in this category are the World Whiskies Awards, the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), the World Whisky Masters and the International Spirits Challenge. A gold from any of these puts a bottle in strong company.
Why English whisky keeps winning
English distillers are not bound by the regional traditions that shape Scotch, which gives them room to experiment: rye mash bills, unusual cask finishes, altitude and coastal maturation, and new takes on peat. That freedom, combined with genuine attention to barley and cask selection, is showing up on the results sheets. English single malts and ryes now regularly beat far older, better-known names.
How to choose an award-winning English whisky
If you are new to the category
Filey Bay Flagship and Cotswolds Signature are both approachable, fruit-led malts that make an easy first step. Neither will overwhelm you, and both have the medals to back up the quality.
If you want something with more character
Wire Works Caduro brings a light peat smoke and inventive cask work, while Adnams Rye Malt leans into spice thanks to its rye-heavy mash bill. Both reward a little time in the glass.
If you want a single-cask rarity
Henstone Ex-Bourbon Cask is a single-cask malt, mashed and bottled on site, with just a few hundred bottles per release. It is smooth and easy-going, with red fruit, malt and a buttery finish. If you like the idea of owning one of a limited run, it is well worth seeking out. You can also browse the wider award-winning range, our affordable English whisky selection, or step up to fine and rare English whisky.
