Last weekend, I had the pleasure of embarking on a journey to the Cotswolds Distillery, a day filled with laughter, insights into the world of whisky-making and of course a very tasty dram (or seven!).
My journey to the distillery was an adventure in itself. Despite encountering multiple cancelled and delayed trains and a memorable taxi jaunt, I finally arrived at the beautiful Cotswolds Distillery, only half an hour fashionably late.
Setting foot on the distillery grounds was a world away from the bustling cityscape of London that I’m used to. I walked along a path adorned with fragrant lavender, leading me into the cosy café and visitor centre – full of locals enjoying picturesque surroundings over a cup of coffee and brunch.
Our tour guide, Ollie, led us through the distillery with infectious enthusiasm. Witnessing the distillery’s remarkable progress over a relatively short period was inspiring, and their selection of exceptional spirits showcases the dedication that the whole team have in driving their growth. In their new distillery building, we got to try their new make spirit, a fruity and delightful precursor to the ageing process. However, the highlight of the tour for me was the visit to the bonded warehouse where we could check out their impressive array of barrels, including the first cask ever filled, Cask #1, as well as their private casks and Cognac barrels.
We then returned to the visitor centre for the best part of the day: the tasting session. The session was hosted by the lovely Katie, the UK brand ambassador who I know from one too many nights at Milroy’s of Soho. Katie took us through a range of Cotswolds whiskies, each dram representing a unique style achieved through creative cask usage. My favourite was definitely the secret dram of Spanish Oak which completely captured my heart, leaving me hoping for its official release.
Following a delicious lunch of sourdough pizzas and salads, a visit to the distillery shop awaited. While some of my companions chose to fill their own bottles with a limited edition port cask finish, I’m operating a strict one-in-one-out policy in my apartment when it comes to whisky so instead, I opted for a bottle of their Cotswolds Vermouth, which I cannot wait to mix into a Negroni.
Overall, it was the passionate staff members and fellow whisky lovers that made the experience truly memorable. It’s always fun to connect with others who indulge in your passion and enjoy sharing tasting notes and thoughts over a tasty tipple. And for anyone seeking a unique and easy day trip from London, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring the Cotswolds Distillery.
Contributed Summer 2023
