Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky: The First Whisky from the Cotswolds
Award-Winning Flagship Expression | 100% locally grown floor-malted barley | STR red wine cask dominant | 46% ABV | Natural colour, non-chill filtered
Key Product Information
- Distillery: Cotswolds Distillery, Stourton
- Region: Cotswolds, England
- Type: English Single Malt Whisky
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Volume: 70cl (700ml)
- Primary Casks: STR ex-red wine barriques (70%)
- Secondary Casks: First-fill ex-bourbon (30%)
- Barley: 100% local Cotswold grown
- Malting: Traditional floor malting
- Filtration: Non-chill filtered
- Natural colour: Yes
- Heritage: First whisky ever made in the Cotswolds
Tasting Notes
Nose
Honey and red fruits with a hint of treacle. Creamy butterscotch and ripe red apples, orange peel, and marzipan. Fresh and inviting with spicy cereal notes and floral elements.
Palate
Rich vanilla and marmalade on toast with beautiful creamy texture. Dark chocolate and cherry, honey sweetness, black pepper spice, and clove. Complex interplay of fruit and spice.
Finish
Long and fruity with toasted oak dominant. Vanilla custard with aromatic freshness that invites another sip. Warming spices linger pleasantly with sweet citrus notes.
What Makes Cotswolds Signature Special
- Historic Pioneer: The very first single malt whisky ever produced in the Cotswolds, breaking new ground in English whisky
- Complete Provenance: 100% locally grown Cotswold barley, traditionally floor-malted for maximum flavour development
- Innovative Cask Programme: STR red wine barriques (70%) create rich fruit character, balanced with bourbon cask sweetness (30%)
- Outstanding Natural Beauty: Distilled in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, reflecting the Cotswolds' pristine environment
- Traditional Craftsmanship: Floor malting, copper pot still distillation, and careful maturation showcase artisan methods
- Award Recognition: Multiple international awards prove exceptional quality and innovation
Perfect For
Whisky Enthusiasts Who Enjoy:
- Rich, fruit-forward single malts
- Wine cask influenced whiskies
- English whisky pioneers
- Award-winning expressions
- Local provenance stories
Occasions:
- Cotswolds heritage celebrations
- English whisky education
- Premium gift presentations
- Historic milestone toasts
- Social sharing with friends
How to Enjoy Cotswolds Signature
Neat
Best served at room temperature in a Glencairn glass to appreciate the rich fruit and spice complexity from the dominant red wine cask influence.
In Cocktails
The bold, rich character makes Cotswolds Signature excellent in premium whisky cocktails—try in an Old Fashioned or Whisky Sour to showcase the fruit notes.
Food Pairing
Perfect with dark chocolate desserts, slow-cooked beef, aged hard cheeses, or fruit tarts. The wine cask influence complements rich, complex flavours beautifully.
About Cotswolds Distillery
Founded in 2014 by Daniel Szor in the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cotswolds Distillery opened as the first full-scale distillery in this historic region. Located near Stourton, the distillery emphasises quality and flavour above all else, using only locally grown barley that's traditionally floor-malted at Warminster maltings. The 90+ hour fermentation process with dual yeast strains creates an estery, fruity wash that's double distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Every bottle reflects the distillery's commitment to Outstanding Natural Spirits and the beautiful landscape that surrounds them.
Understanding English Whisky Pioneers
Cotswolds Signature represents the pioneering spirit driving English whisky's renaissance. With over 60 distilleries now active across England, Cotswolds was among the early leaders establishing quality and innovation standards. Their focus on local ingredients, innovative cask programmes, and challenging age preconceptions has influenced the entire English whisky movement, proving that exceptional whisky can be created outside traditional regions using creative approaches to maturation and flavour development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes Cotswolds Signature different from Scottish whisky?
A: Cotswolds Signature uses innovative STR red wine barriques as the dominant cask type (70%), creating distinctive fruit character impossible in traditional Scottish regions. The Cotswolds' warmer climate also accelerates maturation.
Q: Is Cotswolds Signature suitable for beginners to whisky?
A: Yes, Cotswolds Signature's rich fruit character and balanced 46% ABV make it very approachable. The honey and vanilla notes provide familiar flavours, while the complexity keeps experienced drinkers engaged.
Q: Why is the red wine cask influence so prominent?
A: The 70/30 split favouring STR red wine barriques is intentional, creating Cotswolds' signature fruit-forward character. This innovative approach maximises flavour extraction from the highly active STR casks.
Q: What is traditional floor malting?
A: Floor malting involves spreading barley on stone floors in a kiln, turning it twice daily with wooden tools over several days. This artisanal process develops more complex flavours than modern industrial malting methods.
Q: How does Cotswolds Signature work in cocktails?
A: The bold, sweet character makes Cotswolds Signature excellent for premium cocktails. The fruit notes shine in whisky sours, while the richness supports complex cocktails like Old Fashioneds or Boulevardiers.
English whisky, Cotswolds whisky, single malt whisky, Cotswolds Signature, Cotswolds Distillery, English single malt, red wine cask whisky, STR cask whisky, award winning whisky, British whisky, UK whisky, craft whisky, premium spirits, whisky gift, English distillery, Cotswolds spirits, heritage whisky, non-chill filtered whisky, natural colour whisky, first Cotswolds whisky, floor malted whisky, local barley whisky, fruit forward whisky, artisan whisky, British craft spirits, outstanding natural beauty whisky
