Cotswolds Distillery Range

As part of our look at English whisky distilleries, we’re today venturing down south, to the stunning Cotswolds to visit the Cotswolds Distillery and see what they’re doing with their whisky.

The distillery is located in the quaint, quintessentially English village of Stourton, and was founded back in 2014 by Daniel Szor. They specialise in both English gin, and whisky, and have received a great deal of praise over the years for the drams they’ve released.

In particular, their Signature, Founder’s, Bourbon Cask, and Reserve have proved incredibly popular with whisky connoisseurs from all over the globe. No prizes for guessing which four Cotswolds Distillery drams I’m going to be reviewing today.

So, without further dilly dallying, let’s get started.

Cotswolds Signature Single Malt

It’s a bit of a special one, this. Not just because it tastes amazing, although that certainly does help, but because it is also a trend-setter. Not only is this the first single malt whisky that the Cotswolds Distillery ever produced, it’s also the very first single malt whisky that has ever been produced in the stunning Cotswolds themselves.

The whisky is produced using locally grown barley that is floor malted in the traditional way. It was then matured in a combination of premium first fill ex-Bourbon barrels, along with their STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-Charred) red wine casks to provide a complex body and a deep burnt toffee colour.

Non-chill filtered, and bottled at an ABV of 46%, it’s a dram that favours the rich and the bold. It’s very punchy, with wonderful mouthfeel.

On the nose you get those spicy, fruity, red wine notes from the red wine casks. There’s also a subtle smokiness thanks to the charring of the wood itself. These then give way to citrus fruits in the form of orange and lime zest, coupled with creamy porridge oats, golden syrup flapjack aromas, and summer meadows.

On the palate you get more notes from the bourbon. There’s the sweet, vanilla, toffee and maple syrup notes synonymous with bourbon. Wait a second and you’ll pick up orange blossom honey, treacle tart and custard, sweet malt, and ripe summer berry compote.

The finish is lengthier than I was expecting. There are more red fruity flavours here, coupled with vanilla ice cream, bread and butter pudding, and aromatic spices. A bit of a spicy kick too, not too dissimilar from a fine rye.

Cotswolds Founder’s Choice

Up next, we have this decadent dram from the Cotswold’s Cask Expressions Collection.

This cask strength whisky will knock your socks off, coming in at a fiery 60.5% ABV, yet despite this, it isn’t overpowering.

The whisky was aged in those STR red wine barriques that founded Daniel was so fond of. The casks, which were the brainchild of the late, great, Dr Jim Swan, himself a mentor of the team at the distillery, provide an intense fruity finish and a deep crimson hue to the copper-coloured whisky.

On the nose the red wine cask does its job, delivering punchy notes of red grape and berries. There are also tropical fruit aromas to be discovered, namely in the form of mango and pineapple. Lingering in the shadows you’ll find a very light scent of a premium quality drinking chocolate too.

On the palate, notes of chocolate covered coffee beans, toffee, fudge, and crystalised ginger all jump out. These flavours are soon joined by strawberries and cream, cinnamon sugared churros, and sticky apricot jam.

The finish is fiery as you’d expect, without becoming too overpowering. More malty notes, along with a touch more tropical fruit try to punch through.

Cotswolds Bourbon Cask

While it’s clear that those STR red wine barriques are very popular with the team down at Cotswolds, that’s certainly not the only cask that they’ll make use of.

Another release from their Cask Expressions Collection is this Bourbon Cask Single Malt whisky, matured in first fill American oak ex-Bourbon barrels. Non-chill filtered, and featuring a natural deep straw colour, it’s a cask strength and comes in at a toasty 59.1% ABV.

On the nose, those tell-tale Bourbon barrel aromas are there straight away. There’s honey, vanilla, maple syrup, and a touch of charred oak. These scents and aromas are then joined by those of crisp orchard apples and malty Horlicks.

On the palate there’s more vanilla oak, this time joined by salted caramel, freshly baked shortbread, apples, raisins, and sultanas, nutmeg, cinnamon, and heather honey.

The finish is smooth, creamy, and lengthy. There’re more buttery shortbread notes, chocolate orange pieces, peanut brittle, and spicy gingerbread.

Cotswolds Reserve

Last, but by no means least, we have the Cotswolds Reserve Single Malt Whisky.

This whisky is 50% ABV, a wonderful amber colour, and comes to you as part of their Distilleries Classics Collection and is produced using a combination of first fill ex-Bourbon-aged whisky and a touch of whisky from the STR red wine barriques they’re known for. The result is exceptional.

On the nose you get strong notes of honey, vanilla, dates, and sultanas from the get-go. These are paired beautifully with sweet, nutty aromas and a hint of candied peel.

On the palate, a strong taste of butterscotch shines through, met with mixed summer berries, toasted oats, cornflake tart, and cherry ice cream.

The finish is fairly brisk, yet provides amazing complexity. There’s more honey, figs, roasted oak, and a whisper of citrus peel right at the end.

If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.

With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.

Tags: Cotswolds Distillery Range

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.