About Time: You Tried English WhiskyBy Angelica Malin

The Lowdown: Fielden, an Old English word meaning ‘of the field’, is bringing England’s fields back to life with heritage grains grown on regenerative farms, using traditional farming techniques which revitalise the land, without chemical inputs. With wildlife able to thrive above and below ground, Fielden believes whisky can change farming for the better, field by field, harvest by harvest.

What to Drink: Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky is the first edition in a new annual series celebrating Fielden’s grain harvest which expresses the distinct and differing characteristics of its heritage grains. The vintage indicates the year in which the grains were grown and harvested, and so reflects the weather patterns and their influence on the grain in the given year. Fielden plants a mix of heritage varieties, with tiny genetic differences, which grow tall and strong, and can adapt naturally to the soil and weather, creating diverse flavour profiles in the grain.

The Lowdown: Filey Bay is the first single malt whisky made in, and of, Yorkshire, at Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery. A true “field to bottle” whisky, it is founded by Tom Mellor and Dave Thompson, and uses the barley from the Mellor family’s working arable farm, a stone’s throw away from the distillery itself.

What to Drink: Light, fruity and creamy, Filey Bay Flagship single malt is made from field to bottle with 100% homegrown barley. The brand’s ethos is all about respecting tradition but doing things their way – the style, taste and creation of Flagship truly brings this to life. Whether you’re new to whisky, or an experienced collector with a well-honed palate, you’ll notice the nuanced and subtle flavours of our ex-Bourbon matured Flagship single malt whisky. Approachable and welcoming, this is a whisky for everyone.

The Lowdown: The Lakes Distillery is an independent distillery in the Lake District National Park that produces single malt whisky, gin, and vodka. The distillery was founded in 2011 by Paul Currie, who also co-founded the Isle of Arran Distillery. It’s located in a 160-year-old farmstead on the banks of the River Derwent and uses two custom-designed McMillan stills for whisky distillation. The distillery’s ethos is to make whisky that expresses the Lakes through flavour, and their creative approach to whisky-making intersects science, art, and nature.

What to Drink: The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.7 has matured in the finest Oloroso, PX and red wine casks. Elegant sweetness on the nose, rich and creamy honeyed fruits and a hint of dark chocolate lead to fragrant notes, warming spices and cocoa nibs.

The Lowdown: Cotswolds Whisky is a premium English whisky produced by the Cotswolds Distillery, located in the Cotswolds region of England, known for its scenic beauty and traditional charm. Established in 2014, the distillery focuses on crafting high-quality, small-batch spirits using locally sourced barley and traditional methods.

What to Drink: Their flagship product, Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky, is known for its rich, fruity, and robust flavour profile, with notes of honey, vanilla, and dried fruit. The whisky is non-chill filtered and natural in colour, reflecting the distillery’s commitment to quality and authenticity.

The Lowdown: Masthouse Whisky is a brand of English whisky produced by the Copper Rivet Distillery, located in Kent, England. The distillery, which opened in 2016, is known for its focus on innovation, craftsmanship, and the use of locally sourced ingredients. The name “Masthouse” is derived from the historic naval buildings at Chatham Dockyard, where the distillery is situated.

What to Drink: The Masthouse Single Malt is known for its rich and complex flavour profile, featuring notes of fruit, spice, and oak, with a smooth, well-rounded finish. The spirit champions the distillery’s focus on quality and craftsmanship, making it a standout expression in the emerging English whisky scene.