The Lakes Distillery

History

The Lakes Distillery is located in the Lake District in Cumbria, close to Bassenthwaite Lake, and stands as the home of The Lakes Single Malt Whisky. The distillery is housed in a renovated Victorian-model farm and is described as a distillery that combines nature, science and art in whisky making. According to the pages, the project opened as a rethinking of an old farm, and the distillery became known as the home of a design-led whisky making style. Since the first release of The Lakes Single Malt in 2019, the company has grown to include the The Whiskymaker’s Reserve and The Whiskymaker’s Editions series as well as The One portfolio (The One Fine Blended Whisky and related finishes). The distillery has received international recognition, including an accolade as World’s Best Single Malt Whisky 2022 for No.4 in The Whiskymaker’s Reserve and continued mention as the home of award-winning spirits. In addition to whisky, The Lakes produces The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka. Their approach is to be a design-led whisky maker, focusing on development through élevage, maturation and complex cask regimes – in a context where nature, the environment and the local community play a central role.

Production and Distillation

The Lakes uses a Whisky Studio as the core of their approach to both new make spirit as well as maturation and blending. They use thirty different yeasts in a long fermentation phase (up to 96 hours) to build multiple layers of aroma and texture before distillation. Distillation takes place slowly in copper wash stills and wash stills, contributing to a fruity and robust spirit. The new make spirit is refined through élevage – a proactive aging process that selects specific casks and moves the spirit between casks to steer development of flavor and color.
Oak and the casks account for more than 80% of the flavor and almost all of the color in maturation, and therefore the signature is the wood’s influence through masterful selection of casks from American, Spanish and French oak, often seasoned with sherry (Oloroso and PX) as well as ex-Bourbon, red wine and Port. Many of the releases are not chill-filtered and have natural color, with ABV variants depending on the release (for example No.1 60.6% and No.2 60.9% in early releases; later releases around 52% ABV). Since the Whiskymaker’s Reserve series was launched, there has been an emphasis on sherry-led, wood-driven drops and a long finish that reflects a deeper élevage philosophy.

Products and whisky series

The Lakes Single Malt (Signature)

• Signature style and main product: The Lakes Single Malt (signature: The Lakes Single Malt) in combination with The Whiskymaker’s Reserve. The series is characterized by a design-led approach to whisky making and has received significant attention for its wood-driven character.

The Whiskymaker’s Reserve (No.1–No.7)

• A seven-part series of wood-forward, sherry-led single malts. Each release shares DNA but has individual personalities and varies in the use of casks (American, Spanish Oak; Oloroso; PX; Red Wine; and other seasoned cask types) and in élevage execution. Nos. 1 and 2 were released at cask strength (60.6% and 60.9%), while later bottlings are adjusted to lower ABV (typically around 52%). No.4 was crowned World’s Best Single Malt in 2022, and No.7 concludes the series with a sophisticated, sweeter profile. The series clearly focuses on staged layering and complexity through an active elevage philosophy.

The Whiskymaker’s Editions

• A collection of single malts that break the house’s traditional style and experiment with different oak casks and blending strategies. The releases can include Equinox, Iris, Milky Way, Mor Mosaic, Solano, Infinity, Bal Masque, Liberty, Recuerdo, Reflections, Revelation, Rivëa and others – each with its own interpretation of maturation and flavor, often at 46–56% ABV, non-chill-filtered and natural color. Editions are used as an experimental space to express emotions through flavor development.

The One Whisky Collection (The One Fine Blended Whisky, The One Sherry Colheita, The One Manzanilla, The One Colheita, etc.)

• A series of blended whiskies where The Lakes Single Malt forms the heart in a cascade of finishes in different Colheita, sherry and Manzanilla casks. The One Fine Blended Whisky is a non-chill-filtered blend with The Lakes Single Malt at the heart and ABV around 46.6%, non-chill-filtered and natural color.

• Other One products include Colheita and sherry variants, all with natural color and full-bodied finish.

The Lakes Gin and The Lakes Vodka

• In addition to whisky, they produce The Lakes Gin (Classic English Gin) and The Lakes Vodka (Ultra-Smooth English Vodka). Gin and vodka are marketed as separate products in The Lakes portfolio and are part of the overall flavor profile of the distillery.

Visits and experiences

• Plan a visit to The Lakes Distillery, which offers tours and experiences; for example The Lakes Single Malt Whisky Experience for 2 hours with access to five tastings (including a nose and sense of the new-make spirit) and a guided tasting in The Whiskymaker’s House. There is also the option to dine in the Bistro and buy gift vouchers as well as shop in the accompanying shop. Founders Club offers lifelong tours and annual releases including 2 x 5 cl miniatures and 1 x 70 cl bottle per year for 10 years with corresponding discounts and events.

Philosophy and sustainability

• The Lakes Distillery describes itself as an art- and science-driven whisky maker, working from élevage and a continual quest for new layers of flavor.

• They have a strong sustainability focus: a biomass-fired heating system, circular production lines, no single-use plastics, and responsible packaging. They have invested in a sustainable water source via a borehole and a collaboration with the Lake District Foundation and Lakes Water Fund. Their approach includes reducing CO2, energy efficiency, circular waste processes and supplier partnerships to minimize environmental impact.

Notes on flavor and character

• Equinox (Whiskymaker’s Editions): aromatic with apple, apricot and spices; ABV about 46.6%, non-chill-filtered and natural color.

• The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.7: complex and creamy with honeyed fruits and chocolate, ABV 52%, non-chill-filtered and natural color.

• Nos. 1 and 2 in the Reserve series were originally bottled at cask strength (60.6% and 60.9%).

• The One Fine Blended Whisky: a traditional blend with The Lakes Single Malt at the heart and ABV around 46.6%, non-chill-filtered and natural color.

Relation to place and culture

• The Lakes Distillery anchors its identity in the Lake District’s landscape and cultural heritage, highlighting its location as a source of inspiration, nature and creative expression. They also reflect a deeper connection to the local community through sustainability initiatives and partnerships in the area.

Company status in brief

• Actively producing whisky now (status id 1).

• Products and series mentioned include The Lakes Single Malt, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve, The Whiskymaker’s Editions, The One Whisky Collection, as well as gin and vodka.