Situated in Shropshire, England on the border between Wales and England, Ludlow Distillery was established in 2018. Its initial focus, and remaining core focus, is to make high quality gin using only natural botanicals. They have since branched out to other spirits including single malt whiskies. All their single malts released to date have been small batch. Ludlow Distiller’s Cut lies at the heart of the collection. A range of small batch cask finishes are released at a rate of approximately one every six months.
Quite uniquely, Ludlow uses both English un-peated malt and Scottish peated malt in the mash bill for production of their single malt. This grain then sees a long fermentation delivering a more complex fruity wash. They distil in small batches using a comparatively tiny 200-litre German hybrid column still. The still is set with four copper plates which allow Ludlow to, in their words, ‘gently quadruple-distil the spirit’.
All of Ludlow’s spirit is matured in second-fill American oak ex-bourbon barrels that have been used to mature whisky in Speyside. A second, and occasionally third, maturation is common across their range. This finishing maturation in ex-fortified wine casks, and other casks previously holding spirits, will usually be after three years. Finally they non-chill filter, then proof the aged spirit with purified water from the Welsh Marches to a house strength of 42% ABV. The exceptions are those whiskies released as cask strength.
In 2023, the distillery moved to a new location at the Ludlow Farmshop and opened a visitor centre, complete with café, bar, tours and gin school. They are located in the heart of the vibrant food and drinks scene that Ludlow has slowly built a reputation for over the last decade.
Ludlow sits at the historical heart of the Welsh Marches, the borderlands between Wales and England. This region has been my home for the last 20 years; it’s an incredible place, from the rugged landscape of Shropshire to the rolling hills of Herefordshire.
Shaun Ward – Master Distiller, Ludlow Distillery
Our Tasting Notes
No. 1 Distiller’s Cut
Matured exclusively in the second-fill American oak casks, this whisky is bottled at 42% ABV. You can pick up a bottle for £65.
It is a pale yellow colour with an intensely fragrant and tropical fruity nose. Both pineapple and coconut are immediately noted, alongside fresh Granny Smith apples and sweet maltiness. Fragrances of honeysuckle, and heather honey, are floral and sweet in equal measures. A dash of icing sugar and white pepper bring spicy sweetness. There are soft medicinal herbal notes too – imagine you are standing in a leafy green herb patch. Next to this is a gently smokiness, like the sense of a bonfire long ago extinguished.
On the palate the smokiness steps up and becomes a key flavour. It is a dusty ashy smoke. The sweetness from the nose also becomes more pronounced and richer, like fudge and butterscotch. The tropical florals are just as intense, and richer – like dried pineapple, papaya and mango – with just a hint of orange zest and caramelised apples. Finally this is all balanced by eucalypt-like menthol herbal flavours.
The finish becomes drier and the ashy smoke lingers for a significant time. The menthol flavour takes on a woody character, compared to the more green leafy version which was initially experienced. Plus add in some oak wood character. Finally the bittersweet orange zest stays with you providing freshness and zing.
Oloroso Cask
This small batch cask finish is in ex-Oloroso sherry. We are trying Cask Edition #2 – the second batch release. It is 42% ABV and retails at £75.
A deeper ruby colour sets into this whisky. The nose has layers of fruity sultanas, red apple and red currant, wood spice, sweet maltiness, roasted chestnuts, and tobacco leaf. Candied lemon and lime bring zestiness. Underlying all of this is a dusty earthiness that could be smoke but yet doesn’t present as a smoky note.
On the palate however there is sweetness and smokiness – a prominent earthy ashy smoke. There is also a defined sweet maltiness. The sweetness comes across as caramelised red apples, marshmallow, and yeast. It gives this whisky a gentle nature. Finally spices of woody cinnamon and cloves. On the finish the sweetness fades, the smokiness remains, and citrus and herbal notes kick in.
Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask
Finished in ex-Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks, bottled at 42% ABV and retailing for £75. We are trying Cask Edition #5 – the fifth batch release.
The nose is filled with fruity green apple, dried raisins and freeze dried raspberries. There is milk chocolate, vanilla and butterscotch sweetness, plus a creamy nuttiness like blanched almonds. All wrapped in a savoury earthy soft oak.
This whisky leans towards savoury on the palate, with earthiness and malt. Creamy toffee and butterscotch add sweetness. Fruits of the forest berries lean into red currants. Zesty bitter orange and baking spice add depth. The peat adds subtle gentle earthy ashy smoke that sit underneath all other flavours and ties them together. On the finish the smoke and a zesty citrus merge with earthy malt. The finish lingers with rounded luscious warmth.
Limited Edition Ruby Port Cask Strength
Following the trend for small batch releases this limited edition is the latest (from early 2025). It is bottled at a cask strength of 57% ABV. Following the initial ‘Distiller’s Cut’ maturation this bottle is finished in ex-Ruby Port casks. Available directly from Ludlow, each whisky will be hand bottled and labelled to order. Priced at £99.99.
This expression offers caramel sweetness and deep fruitiness – dried raisins and orchard fruits such as red apple and brown pears. Dry wood spices and damp oak impart a depth of oakiness alongside pine or eucalypt. Finally fresher notes are hinting towards alpine herbs, plus lemon and lime zest.
Initially drying on the palate with lots of wood spice. The more obvious woodiness accentuates the smoke. This delivers a peppery heat. This is complimented by red apples, figs and red currants making this whisky luscious. The finish is much the same with additional notes of eucalypt and earthiness. Marshmallow sugary sweetness is underlying providing balance. The higher ABV strength exaggerates all the flavours – pronounced smoke, bold spice, and earthiness.
Islay Peated Cask
Finished in a quarter cask previously holding peated single malt Scotch whisky from Islay. It is bottled at 42% ABV and retailing for £75. We are trying Cask Edition #3 – the third batch release.
This whisky is pale yellow in colour. Instantly on the nose there a coastal seaside-like minerality. The smokiness is immediate and while still ashy is taking on a hint of hot bitumen. There are green apples, blanched almonds and fresh lemon providing fruitiness and freshness. This is the least sweet of all the Ludlow range. It takes on an element of fresh cotton sheets and savoury ozone.
Sweetness however comes forward on the palate. There is icing sugar, butterscotch, and white chocolate. Fresh apple juice gives fruity freshness and lemon juice adds zing. Vanilla and cocoa powder create earthy spice characters. The finish is full of dusty drying smoke with bursts of sugary sweetness and fresh lemon zest. This whisky would drink very well with seafood.
What’s The Verdict?
The range of Ludlow whiskies are luscious for relatively young whiskies. The inclusion of gentle smoke transforms with each cask complimenting nicely. It sometimes steps up and other times lingers softly in the background. The whole range is remarkably easily drinkable at this young age. Extra years of maturation as the brand itself gets older will only develop that slightly smoky distinctive distillery character. It is great to see an English distillery creating a clear style for itself and doing so with such quality and panache.
