Although England is not well known for whisky production, distillers operated in London, Liverpool and Bristol until the late 19th century, after which production of English single malt whisky ceased until 2003.[11] By 2016, it had resurged.[12]
In 1825 the Chancellor of the Exchequer reduced the duty on alcohol and allowed distillers to sell directly to the public believing this would lead to distillers producing higher quality spirits, remove the rectification process which used dangerous chemicals, allow distillers to prosper and produce profit for the treasury. The reduction alcohol duty lead to the consumption of English spirits near doubling and the establishment of England's reputation for distilling excellence, this alongside the introduction of the casks aged English whisky lead to an increase in demand of English spirits which accounted for a sixth of Englands revenue by 1885.[13]
Lea Valley Distillery, Stratford, Essex (founded in the late 19th century) — produced both grain and malt whisky.
Bank Hall Distillery (Liverpool) — produced grain and malt whisky.
Bristol Distillery (founded in the 17th century) — produced grain whisky which was "sent to Scotland and Ireland to make a Blended Scotch and Irish whisky, for whisky purpose it is specially adapted, and stands in high favour".
Vauxhall Distillery in Liverpool (founded in 1781) — produced grain whisky.
In 1903 Lea Valley Distillery, in Stratford, London owned by The Distillers Company Limited closed and moved their production to Scotland due to the expanding popularity of gin and the taking off of Scotch whisky.[15]
In 2005, The English Whisky Co. Ltd got permission to build the first registered whisky distillery in England for over a century. Its first release of single malt was in 2009. This was the only English Whisky to have been bottled and released for over 100 years. In 2013 The London Distillery Company began production of the first single malt whisky in London since Lea Valley Distillery closed in 1903. Three other English distilleries, also producing whisky by 2014, were The Cotswolds Distillery, Ludlow Distillery and The Lakes Distillery.[16]
There is a process underway on creating a statutory definition. English whisky producers currently follow EU Regulation (2019/787) that define whisky alongside the British Standards institutes whisky guidelines.[17][b]
On 12 September 2023 the British Standards Institute published its first guidelines on how English, ScotchWelsh and Irish whisky should be produced and packaged. These guidelines state that whisky must:
be caramel in colour
be matured for at least three years in wooden caskets
not be sweetened or have additives
ABV should be a minimum of 40%
distillation should be conducted at less than 94.8% volume.[19]
On 14 February 2022, the English Whisky Guild applied for a geographical indication in order to establish a legal definition for English whisky.[18] Suggested criteria include:
There are currently 55 English distilleries across 9 regions in England,[22][23] 26 independent distilleries and 24 distilleries that are members of the English Whisky Guild.[24]
The English whisky distilleries are all at various stages of development with the oldest St George's Distillery brewing whisky for nearly 20 years [25] and the Cotswolds distillery is the largest producer of whisky in England.[26]
There are six whisky distilleries in the South East of England: The Oxford Artisan Distillery, Black Bottle Distillery, Isle of Wight distillery, Copper Rivet Distillers, Anno Distillers and Canterbury Brewers & Distillers.[35]
From March to April 2023 the English Whisky Guild conducted a survey of English distilleries. The survey found that there are currently 38,000 casks of English whisky maturing in distillery warehouses, and an estimated 50,000 casks expected to be laid down by distilleries by the end of 2024. The total value of the maturing stock estimated to exceed £1bn during this period.[36]
On 4 June 2024, the English Whisky Guild published its first annual report. The report found that sales of English whisky last year equated to 50,000 (9L) casks with 40% of English whisky being sold internationally as well as 250,000 people visiting English whisky distillery last year.[37] The total value of English whisky sold domestically and internationally is £1bn[38]
Produced at least partly from grains other than barley, such as maize, wheat and rye.[41]
Rye whisky
Produced using rye grain and known to be peppery and spicy.
Cornish whisky
Produced using local produce and is distilled, matured and bottled in Cornwall.[42] There are currently 2 distilleries that produce Cornish whisky Pocketful of Stones Distiller and Hicks and Healeys[43][44]
On 1 December 2021 Gullivers & Co signed a partnership agreements with England Rugby to produce rugby themed whisky which would become the official whisky of the English Rugby Union.[50]
As of 2023 the partnership agreement between Gullivers and England Ruby is still active with England's No. 6 Single Malt Whisky becoming the latest English rugby themed whisky to be produced[51]
On 4 April 2020, Gauntleys Whiskies began selling English whiskies from a range of distilleries including from the English Whisky Co, Filey Bay and Henstone Distillery.[52]
On 23 November 2023, Digital Distiller launched a specialist online English whisky and gin subscription service. The service list over 50 different English whiskies bottles as well as selection of English Whisky casks which are obtained through direct partnerships with distilleries.[53][54]
On 18 November 2023 Birmingham hosted its second English Whisky Festival with 32 distilleries participating in the event. The event consisted of two whisky master classes, one by the Cooper King Distillery and one by The English Whisky Co as well as whisky tasting and other activities.[56]
On 28 November 2023, 16 whisky produces attended the English whisky showcase at the U.K ParliamentinWestminster Hall to promote and bring awareness to the growing English whisky sector in England.[57]
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