Review | London Distillery Company Ten Times Around The Sun

The latest limited edition from The London Distillery Company, which is the first ever 10 Years Old single malt to be distilled in the UK capital.

Review | London Distillery Company Ten Times Around The Sun

This new whisky is the first ever 10-year-old single malt to be released from the UK capital. The London Distillery Co’s Ten Times Around The Sun has been taken from a single ex-bourbon cask, which was just the seventh cask ever filled by the company. The whisky was made using Quench spring barley in October 2015. The release features artwork inspired by the single malt’s decade of maturation, capturing 10 complete orbits of the sun.

The London Distillery Co. Ten Times Around The Sun bottle and packaging.

The London Distillery Company was established in 2011 as London’s first new whisky distillery for over a century. The distillery was housed in a renovated warehouse in Battersea, close to the banks of the River Thames. It was granted the first license to distil whisky in London for over 100 years. The most recent distillery prior to this (Lea Valley located in Stratford, east London) closed in 1903.

However, the company entering administration in 2020 and was acquired by Gleann Mòr Spirits in 2023. Matt McKay was appointed as Managing Director & Whisky Maker to lead the revitalisation of TLDC in January 2025.

The London Distillery Company was a small batch distiller with just one malt spirit still named Matilda. It was part copper pot still, as used in traditional single malt production, and part column still, used more in the distillation of single grain whiskies. The distillery was also home to a smaller spirit still, named Christina, which produced gin. Malt spirit production only occurred on two days each week, resulting in two hogshead casks worth of new make spirit.

The TLDC Ten Times Around The Sun is limited to just 220 bottles and is bottled at 51.4% ABV. It is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The whisky will be available to purchase on February 27 via the TLDC website until sold out. Each bottle will cost £89.95.


Our Tasting Notes

The colour is bright gold and the nose is immediately uplifting and fresh. Aromas of vanilla paste, freshly sawn oak and fresh ginger fill the glass initially. These are quickly followed by a distinct and slightly earthy maltiness, milk chocolate and something sweet, fruity and tropical. This is most reminiscent of lychee in sugar syrup. A pinch of warm baking spice lingers underneath.

On the palate this whisky is equally as uplifting and fresh. The freshly sawn oak is to the fore and is accompanied by a hint of orange marmalade and bitter orange oil. The lychee note is also prominent and joined by other stone and tropical fruits – think of peach, pineapple and papaya especially. Everything is supported by a further note of creamy vanilla custard.

The distinct maltiness from the nose underpins everything. This has a biscuity character with a touch of damp earthiness. Milk chocolate and cocoa powder also come through later, as does a hint of lemon infused sugar syrup. The spices build as the oak returns to dominate towards the end. This has a distinct vibe of gingerbread and suggestions of cassia bark, clove and mace.

The finish is long and increasingly dry, woody and warm. The sweeter and fruity elements fade slowly and this allows the oak to shine even more. The slightly bitter tannins gives a chocolatey feel and an instant drying quality. A peppery heat also builts nicely and makes the whisky effortlessly mouthwatering.

The London Distillery Company Ten Times Around The Sun bottle.

What’s The Verdict?

English whisky is having something of a moment in the sun right now, so to have whisky from the capital feels important. What TLDC have done here is equally as important. They have the oldest stocks of anyone making whisky in London, so to release one of their earliest casks is a statement. And what a statement – this whisky is delicious and packed with character and flavour. Hats off to Gleann Mòr Spirits for bringing the brand back from the dead. Grab a bottle if you can.