The Lakes Distillery, situated in the picturesque English Lakes District, launches Signature, its first permanent style of single malt whisky. This sherry-led style of whisky is bottled at 47% ABV without any added colours and is non-chill filtration.
Whiskymaker Sarah Burgess has created Signature using The Lakes Distillery’s technique of élevage – traditionally associated with fine wines and Cognacs. This involves making intentional changes throughout the spirit’s maturation to generate desired characteristics. She does this by altering the location and climate of maturing casks, moving the whisky between cask types, and combining whisky from different casks. Sarah joined The Lakes in January 2023 after working in the Scottish whisky industry for nearly 20 years.
The art of élevage and sherry cask ageing have allowed us to create a remarkable whisky that is rich with exceptional layers of flavour. Our first permanent style, Signature is a proud milestone for us all.
Sarah Burgess – The Lakes’ Whiskymaker
The Lakes distillery is located near Bassenthwaite Lake in the north English county of Cumbria. It was founded in 2011 by Paul Currie and a consortium of private investors, just five years after the first England distillery. Production began in 2014. The first small batch whisky of only 100 bottles, named Genesis, was released in 2018. At the time it set the world record for the highest price paid at auction for a whisky coming from a new distillery. That value was an impressive £8,000.
They have two copper pot whisky stills with a current capacity is 375,000 litres of spirit per year. Alongside is a third still for the production of gin. The distillery also has an award-winning visitor centre and has become one of the leading attractions in the Lake District National Park. This distillery has since been acquired by Nyetimber in 2024.
The Lakes Distillery Signature Single Malt Whisky has a Recommended Retail Price of £85 for a 70cl bottle. Available from: lakesdistillery.com, The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt and House of Malt.
Our Tasting Notes
This clear rich ruby coloured whisky is bold and distinguished. Aromas burst of raisins, glacé cherries and rich dark chocolate. Soft woody notes along with walnuts, cinnamon, and nutmeg add sweet spiciness. Background hints of coconut and heather honey provide angles of sweetness. Additional fruity notes come in the form of juicy blood orange.
The palate is thick and viscous and begins with deeply sweet flavours of glacé fruits, both cherry and citrus, and blood orange. The dark chocolate on the nose translates boldly onto the palate. Walnuts and brazil nuts add an almost umami touch. Additional sweetness comes across like honeyed almonds. Finally a hint of bitter orange oil breaks up the woodiness and sweetness adding freshness.
The finish is woody and drying but still filled with the dominant dark chocolate and cherry characters. Finally a hint of fresh lemon juice creeps in to add some lightness and freshness.
What’s The Verdict?
The Lakes Signature is without doubt a luxurious and deliciously rich whisky. It has all the hallmarks of becoming a classic bottle for sherried whisky lovers to have in their collection. The downside is the price. At £85 it is not priced to be an every day dram. As the only permanent whisky released so far that comparatively high price may be off-putting to many people. It is a shame as this is a whisky that we would be pleased for many more people to try. It shows how complex and intriguing English whisky can be when it is produced with care.
