The Lakes Distillery
 | |
| Location | Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria |
|---|---|
| Owner | Nyetimber[1][2] |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Paul Currie |
| Status | Operational |
| Water source | River Derwent |
| Capacity | 375,000 litres |
| Website | lakesdistillery |
| Lakes | |
| Type | Gin, Vodka, Whisky |
The Lakes Distillery is an English whisky, gin and vodka distillery in the Lake District, located near to Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria.
History
[edit]The Lakes Distillery was established in 2014 by Paul Carrie on the site of a renovated 1850s farm. Currie had previously co-founded Lochranza distillery on the Isle of Arran, Scotland.[3] A total of £9 million was invested in building the distillery.[4]
On 7 January 2022 The Lakes Distillery announced plans to expand its distillery by installing 8 new washbacks.[5]
In March 2024 James Pennefather was appointed chief executive.[6] The following month, the English wine company Nyetimber made a bid to acquire the distillery for £71 million. [7] The acquisition was finalised that June.[8]
Products
[edit]The distillery produce both single malt and blended whisky.[9][dead link] The distillery's inaugural single malt release, called Genesis, was auctioned via the website Whisky Auctioneer in 2018. The first bottle was sold for £7900.[10] Only 99 bottles were made.[11] The first core range whisky, Signature, was released in March 2025.[12]
In 2018 the Lakes Distillery created an combined English-Scottish blended whisky.[13][14][user-generated source] Other whisky bottlings from the distillery include Infinity, Iris, and the Reserve series.[15][promotional source?]
The distillery's gins include a London Dry Gin and Pink Grapefruit Gin [9][dead link] They have also released gin crackers and an elderflower gin liqueur.[16][promotional source?]
Reception and awards
[edit]In 2022 the distillery's Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4 was named the world’s best single malt at the World Whisky Awards.[17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Carruthers, Nicola (2024-06-25). "Nyetimber finalises Lakes Distillery purchase". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ↑ "The Lakes Distillery sold to winemaker Nyetimber in £71m deal". BBC News. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ↑ Smith, Gavin (30 January 2015). "The Lakes Distillery: Cumbria's Sprinkling Tarn". Whisky Magazine.
- ↑ "Lakes Distillery". The Gin Guild. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ↑ Hopkins, Amy (2019-01-07). "Lakes Distillery to expand whisky production". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ↑ "Why distillery's new chief executive is in high spirits". News and Star. 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ↑ Evison, James (2024-04-03). "Nyetimber set to acquire The Lakes Distillery". The Drinks Business. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ↑ "Cumbrian distillery sold to winemaker in £71m deal". News and Star. 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- 1 2 "The Lakes lays out growth plans as new funding round launches". TheDrinksReport.com. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ↑ Evans, Matt (July 12, 2018). "First Lakes single malt sold for £7,900". Scotch Whisky.com.
- ↑ Evans, Matt (12 July 2018). "First Lakes single malt sold for £7,900". Scotchwhisky.com.
- ↑ Collins, Georgie (2025-03-27). "Lakes Distillery unveils first permanent single malt". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ↑ "'World's first' Anglo-Scots whisky created | Scotch Whisky". scotchwhisky.com. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ↑ "Steel Bonnets Blended Malt Whisky - Ratings and reviews - Whiskybase". Whiskybase.com. 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ↑ "Our Top 5 Lakes Distillery Whiskey - True Winners Of 2024". www.5-top.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ↑ "Our Top 5 Lakes Gin Set - True Winners Of 2024". www.5-top.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ↑ "Cumbrian distillery awarded in prestigious competition". The Westmorland Gazette. 2022-03-31. Retrieved 2024-04-17.