Beckett’s Single Malt English Whisky comes from the small independent Kingston Distillers. They are based in the London Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. Beckett’s is most commonly known for producing gin. This whisky is created as a result of resting single malt spirit in American oak casks that had previously held their classic Beckett’s sloe gin.
Kingston Distillers was started in 2013 by founder Neil Beckett, launching a classic style London dry gin. Beckett’s now produces a small-batch London dry gin, a high strength spirited gin, a sloe gin and a barrel-aged sloe gin alongside this whisky. The London dry gin is made with English juniper picked from nearby Box Hill. It also uses mint locally grown in Kingston-upon-Thames, amongst other botanicals.
Box Hill is a well-loved National Trust park on a summit of the North Downs in Surrey, approximately 30 km south-west of central London. The juniper is collected by special permission from the National Trust. In return, Beckett’s are undertaking a long-term conservation project to save juniper from local extinction in England. This is in conjunction with the National Trust and Forestry Commission. They are working to create a new sustainable population of juniper on Juniper Top, one of the peaks in Box Hill. Read more about their conservation efforts at beckettsgin.co.uk/conservation.
The sloe gin is made by steeping their London dry with sloe berries to create a rich fruity, almost sweet, style of gin. They rest the sloe gin in 200 litre ex-bourbon American oak casks for a year or two to create a unique style of barrel-aged sloe sin. It is these casks that then meets with the single malt spirit to create this whisky.
My favourite whiskies tend to be those that are sherry or Port cask. When anyone asks me what our sloe gin tastes like, I say it’s a bit like a sherry or a Port. So the idea came to me to add some malt spirit to our casks after we’ve removed the sloe gin from them in the hope that it will create a lovely smooth, sweet and fruity whisky in a similar style to a sherry cask. I’m very pleased with the result as it seems to have worked.
Neil Beckett – Founder of Kingston Distillers
We are tasting Cask No.1, their first ever release of Single Malt English Whisky which launched in winter 2024. They are aiming to release a new batch every year to be bottled by the cask. The release of Cask No. 1 comprises of just 324 bottles and is released at 46.8% ABV. It is available to purchase for £80 directly from beckettsgin.co.uk or from selected stockists.
Our Tasting Notes
Vibrantly burgundy in colour, this whisky is bright and uplifting on the nose with sweet, fruity, and floral notes. Strawberry marshmallows, and hints of cream soda, meets raspberry and plum jam. There is also a note of vanilla pods. Then comes bittersweet herbal notes that remind us of fresh garden herbs, like dill or tarragon.
On the palate there is a sweet yet peppery initial impact. The sweetness is delicate and akin to a dusting of icing sugar alongside some fresh summer meadow honey. Next comes a burst of fruitiness, both in form of fresh red fruit, like strawberries. There is also a deeper character of a fresh and juicy stone fruit from the plum or damson family. Orange zest, fresh leafy bitter-style herbs and a hint of pine build and stay with the flavours onto the finish.
The peppery note, like white pepper, flows through the palate providing structure and contrast to the delicate sweetness. The finish on this whisky is a touch short and here the sensation of juniper is at its strongest. That shortness is forgiven as the overall impression is of delicacy and freshness.
What’s The Verdict?
This single malt is very expressive, juicy and bright with an almost unusual delicacy. We would be completely surprised if anyone guessed, without being prompted, to recognise this as coming from a sloe gin cask. But once you are aware the hints of the fruity gin come through. It has taken us by surprise just how enjoyable this whisky is as a first release. This is one of those whiskies that comes along and you cannot help but fall for it. Grab a bottle while you can.
