Cotswolds Founder’s Choice Single Malt English Whisky

let’s begin

Cotswolds Distillery founder Dan Szor has learned from the best, so it stands to reason that his Founder’s Choice would be an exceptional English whisky.

A Very English Whisky

Despite its somewhat multicultural background (founder Dan Szor is from New York and trained in Scotland), the Cotswolds malt made at the Cotswolds Distillery, is a very English whisky. The Warwickshire based distillery uses locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality.

Szor, who has lived and worked in New York, Paris and London, was inspired to create the whisky when he saw the fields and fields of golden barley that is grown all across the Cotswolds. The area itself is a major tourist attraction for it’s stunning countryside, so Szor made the inspired decision to revive whisky distilling there.

Whisky distilling used to be a big industry in England but unfortunately it didn’t last as long as the Scotch industry. Cotswolds, and now a whole wealth of other distilleries, are leading the charge in bringing in back.

Founder’s Choice

This cask strength release is a first for the distillery. While they have a whole host of single malts and a few liqueurs, Founders Choice is the first time they have released a cask strength malt. We sure are glad they did because the flavour profile is excellent. In fact, it was recognised as Best English Single Malt at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards.

This malt has been matured in re-charred American oak red wine barriques, giving it a wonderfully sweet flavour, with a slightly darker edge.

Tasting notes for Cotswolds Distillery Founder’s Choice Single Malt Cask Strength English Whisky

Bottle cost: £64.95

The nose begins with notes of dried fruits, oak wood and caramel. It is rich and elegant, with a lovely warming aroma. There is a slightly earthy quality of fresh cut grass and hay.

The palate is full of malted grain notes, apple crumble and dark cherries. There are lots of red fruit flavours alongside oak wood and vanilla. The red wine from the casks gives it a lovely sharpness.

The finish lingers on spices and dried fruits.

Founder’s Choice is a brilliant malt. It is full of character and captures the mellow English malt with the elegance of the red wine perfectly.

Do you enjoy Cotswolds Distillery’s malts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Tags: CotswoldsEnglish WhiskyFounder’s ChoiceSingle Malt

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.