Whilst on holiday in Cumbria and enjoying the wonderful scenery and hospitality that the Lake District has to offer it seemed only right to make a visit to The Lakes Distillery, which opened for business in December 2014 but will be officially opened next week by HRH The Princess Royal.
From the same people that started the Arran Distillery, The Lakes has taken five years to get from idea to filling the first cask and it is an impressive set-up.
The renovation of the former Victorian farm buildings have been done with great care and attention to detail. The commissioned artwork that adorns the site adds to the experience and you are left in no doubt that the team behind it are committed for the long term.
The tour itself started with an audio visual treat in the shape of a video shot from a helicopter following the source of The Lakes' water supply down the hills, into the Derwent and out to sea on the west coast. There was also a rather odd video of a Yorkshireman in period dress playing the part of a local distiller from 200 years ago. The point being that distilling in the Lake District is not a new concept.
The distillery was very shiny and new. One mash tun, six wash backs, wash still and spirit still. Plus a smaller dedicated still for the batch production of gin and vodka.
A great deal of the casks in the warehouse are small sherry casks and the hope is that the non-age statement trend continues and that a 3, 5, 7 year old will appeal to consumers.
Light on details and not sure whether the final single malt will be peated or unpeated, our guide was otherwise charming and enthusiastic about the spirits being produced. Perhaps the most interesting detail was the aspiration to mature spirit in different types of wood. I thought this had been done in the past without great success but maybe it's time someone tried again.
Without a whisky product of their own (even a liqueur which I thought was a prerequisite for new distilleries?) The Lakes has instead produced a blend called The One. This is apparently the only blend that features whiskies from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It didn't do much for me but it has won awards so what do I know?
The gin, on the other hand, was very acceptable and a bottle accompanied me out of the door as I left.
A great visitor experience, probably not yet ready for the whisky aficionados who might be disappointed by the lack of detail and 'new make' available but worth a visit if only to support one of the few independent distilleries we have.
