Whisky Review/Tasting: Cotswolds (England)

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Cotswolds, England, located a third of the way from Birmingham to London.
Type: Single Malt Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The whisky is aged for three years, using a combination of first full bourbon barrels (30%) and STR red wine barrels (70%). STR stands for Shaved, Toasted, and Recharged, a process that rejuvenates the casks to enhance flavor extraction.
Age Statement: 3 years old.
Color and Clarity: The whisky has a beautiful color, achieved without the use of coloring agents.
Bottle Design: Features a pressed cork, which appears a bit artificial but sturdy.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky presents a harmonious blend of sweetness, spiciness, and a hint of bitterness, with a notable transition from initial sweetness to spiciness and slight bitterness upon swallowing.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its sweet profile with honey notes, lightly buttery textures, candy sweets, biscuits, marzipan, nuttiness, and a complex finish that includes cinnamon, Christmas spices, caramel, and a bit of orange.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its unique use of STR red wine barrels and the resulting flavor profile distinguishes it from typical Scotch whiskies.

Distillery Background: Established in 2014, Cotswolds Distillery is noted for its craftsmanship and small-batch production. The malt is sourced from Warminster, a facility known for traditional floor malting.
Production Details: The distillery operates with relatively small equipment, including eight washbacks with a 2500-liter volume each, emphasizing their focus on craftsmanship and quality over quantity.

English Whisky Industry: The Cotswolds Distillery represents a part of the resurgence of the English whisky industry, which had previously declined in favor of Scotch whisky. The distillery's success and unique approach contribute to the growing recognition of English whisky.

"It's kind of an honor to drink their first product."
"It's amazing how they got the beautiful color in just three years without having fresh casks."
"It's amazing. It's for three-year-old. It's amazing. Wow. There's a lot going on in that spirit."

Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is a three-year-old English whisky characterized by its use of first full bourbon and STR red wine barrels.
The flavor profile is notably sweet with complex notes of honey, candy, spices, and a hint of bitterness.
The distillery emphasizes craftsmanship and traditional methods, including floor malting.
Represents the resurgence of the English whisky industry, challenging the dominance of Scotch.
Praised for its complexity and balance despite its young age.

Whisky Enthusiasts: Those interested in exploring the diversity of whisky beyond Scotch will find Cotswolds Single Malt a fascinating and rewarding choice.
Sweet Profile Lovers: Individuals who prefer sweeter whiskies with complex flavor profiles will enjoy this whisky.
Craftsmanship Appreciators: Those who value traditional production methods and small-batch craftsmanship will appreciate the care and attention to detail in Cotswolds Single Malt.