Ludlow Distillery has come a long way since we first sampled their whisky (on the first online English Whisky tasting back in 2020). And when we say long way, technically they’ve come 10 miles down the road. Originally on a vineyard in the Ludlow hills (owned by Mike Hardingham, below right), the distillery passed into the ownership of Ludlow Gin founder Shaun Ward (below, left) and is now located at the Ludlow Farm Shop site.
All releases to date have been liquid produced by Mike on their signature 200 litre, wood-fired, direct-heated still. This is the only wood-fired still being used to make whisky in England and sets the distillery apart from their peers. However, Shaun started making spirit whilst the still was… well, still up in ‘them there hills’. That liquid has now come of age, meaning Sean is now a whisky maker in his own right – due for release November 2024. We went to visit him recently to sample this and see the still in its new home.
The new location is a great spot, as any trip to the distillery can now also include a visit to Ludlow Farm Shop and their new ‘gift shop’ located right next door. There’s ample parking, great dining options and even a hotel should you not wish to stumble too far to bed after your visit. But the main attraction is, of course, Ludlow Distillery. On entering the distillery shop you’re met with a wonderland of whisky & spirits from their wide range of delicious drinks, but beyond the displays lies the beating heart behind all these creations.
Shaun first took me up to the mezzanine to look down upon the new distillery floor. The first thing you notice is an abundance of wood, as the fire to heat the still is a hungry beast. But then you take in the still in all it’s glory alongside it’s new (very expensive and shiny) exhaust pipe that stands almost like a column still beside it. The fermentation tanks adorn the left-hand wall and to the right are casks and the general tools and containers required for distillery life.
We headed down to the distillery to get an up-close look at the still and – lo-and-behold – Shaun’s social media guru Peter popped up wanting to document the visit (had I known I was going to be papped I’d have done my make-up!). So a few photos later and I now had a glass in my hand, so it would be rude not to fill it with something delicious. First we tried some new make fresh off the still and it was oozing creamy, stone-fruit notes that we like in a new make spirit.
Next, Shaun pulled a sample from a 3 year old Oloroso cask, one of the first he filled himself and due to be released shortly. Oloroso accentuates the lightly-peated new make, but the smoke is still subtle. What struck me most was a nutty aroma, mixed with dried fruits that follow-through on the palate before a warming, peppery finish. This is going to be an excellent addition to the existing range and we can’t wait for its release.
Finally, we had to sample our cask. Originally matured for 18 months in ex-bourbon, we commissioned Shaun to transfer the spirit to a freshly emptied cider brandy cask he’d produced for a Herefordshire cider producer. With the Cider brandy filled at 85% to assist in a short maturation this meant oodles of flavour imbued into our liquid as soon as it entered the barrel.
After 13 months in this barrel (this one bottles in February via Still In Cask) the liquid is absolutely divine, with crisp apple, dark toffee and a wafting of bonfire cinders in the background. If only it were bottling sooner it would make the perfect bonfire night dram, or to accompany a thanksgiving dinner… or a suitably spooky halloween sipper. In fact, this might be the perfect all-rounder as it would equally be at home in a hip flask on a ramble through the summer countryside.
Sated with sampling we headed up to see the tasting lounge back upstairs. Replete with grand piano and organ (Shaun is handy on the keys as well as the cuts), the bar hosts tasting events, music nights and gin workshops (and soon to be whisky blending ones too) and is the perfect spot to enjoy Ludlow’s efforts overlooking their small but mighty distillery in all it’s glory.
Ludlow may be famous as a centre for food excellence, but it won’t be long before the world appreciates it for the hand-made spirits flowing from this still too. We’ll raise our glass to that & ask you to do the same in celebrating the amazing achievements of Shaun, his team and this tiny still that churns out mighty Ludlow whisky.
Cheers.
BUY A SHARE IN OUR LUDLOW “CIDER BRANDY” CASK HERE
