English whisky has officially come of age. No longer a novelty, it’s one of the most exciting, innovative categories in global spirits. In this guide, we spotlight our top picks from across the country - each one chosen as a standout from its distillery. You’ll find a broad spectrum of styles: single malts, rye whiskies, peated and unpeated, matured in STR, sherry, bourbon, wine and virgin oak. Whether you like it neat, stirred down, or shaken up, there’s an English whisky here for you.

One of the best things about whisky? Its sheer variety. From elegant barley-based single malts to bold, spicy ryes, whisky is a world tour in a glass. Here’s a quick, friendly guide to the key styles worth knowing—whether you’re just getting started or brushing up your back-bar knowledge.

• Single Malt > Made at one distillery using 100% malted barley. It’s a global style, but most famously associated with Scotland. Think Glenlivet or Laphroaig. That said, American and Danish single malts are on the rise—and we’re watching them closely.
• Blended Malt > Also 100% malted barley, but sourced from multiple distilleries. This allows blenders to layer flavours—richness from one, smoke from another—for a more complex result.
• Single Pot Still > A uniquely Irish style, and a must-try. By law, it must use both malted and unmalted barley (at least 30% of each), and up to 5% of other grains like rye, wheat, or oats. Expect creamy texture, orchard fruits and subtle spice.

Corn typically adds sweetness—think vanilla, caramel, popcorn, and a smooth, easy-going profile.

• Bourbon > Legally American, and made with at least 51% corn (the rest usually malted barley, rye or wheat). Aged in new, charred oak barrels, which gives it those signature notes of toffee, spice and smoke.

• Corn Whiskey > Usually made with 80–100% corn. Unlike bourbon, it doesn’t have to be aged in new oak, which gives it a lighter, more cereal-led profile. Most traditional in the U.S., but popping up elsewhere too—like Mexico’s emerging corn whiskies.

Rye brings boldness—typically spice-driven, with notes of black pepper, clove, and dried herbs.

• Rye Whiskey (USA) > Must be at least 51% rye. Known for its punchy character, dry finish and backbone in cocktails like the Manhattan.

• Rye Whisky (Canada) > Canada plays by looser rules - many Canadian whiskies are labelled “rye” even if they contain little of it. But the good ones deliver balance: smooth, slightly spiced, and often more approachable.

• Rye Whisky (Europe) > Europe’s modern rye boom is worth your attention. Think drier, nuttier, and often more “breakfast cereal” in style - especially from Nordic countries.

A blend of whiskies from multiple distilleries, often mixing different grains and styles. Done well, it’s an art form.

You’ll find country-specific blends (like Blended Scotch Whisky) as well as international hybrids— Nikka From the Barrel , for example, blends Japanese and imported whiskies for a rich, layered profile.

A £90 bottle can absolutely outperform a £150 one. Value in whisky isn’t about price tag prestige or collector hype - it’s about how much flavour, integrity, and craft you’re getting for your money.

Here’s what actually counts when assessing a whisky’s true worth:

Does it punch above its price point? Does it surprise you?
Forget what it cost—ask how it drinks. If a whisky delivers complexity, balance, and character well beyond its price bracket, that’s value. Great value bottles often have you double-checking the receipt: “How is this only £50?”

Bourbon, sherry, port, STR, wine—maturation makes the dram.
It’s not just what the whisky was made from, but what it was matured in. High-quality casks add depth, colour, and flavour complexity. Look for whiskies where the cask influence is well integrated - adding richness without overpowering the spirit.

Unchillfiltered? Natural colour? Higher ABV? These are good signs.
These details show that the producer values flavour over cosmetics. Chill-filtration and colour additives are shortcuts. A whisky bottled at 46% ABV or above, without unnecessary processing, is far more likely to deliver texture, aroma and soul.

Are they doing something distinctive? Do they have a clear point of view?
Great producers aren’t chasing trends - they’re following their own compass. Whether it's a revival of forgotten grains, pioneering cask experiments, or terroir-led storytelling, vision matters. A distinctive perspective often translates to distinctive whisky.

Limited doesn’t always mean better.
Don’t be fooled by numbered bottles and fancy tubes. True value lies in what’s inside the glass. That said, small batches and single casks—especially from indie bottlers—can deliver serious bang for your buck when chosen with intent.

English whisky has deep historical roots—distillation records date back to the 1800s—but its modern revival began in earnest in the early 2000s. What started as a niche experiment has evolved into one of the most exciting, fast-moving categories in global whisky. In 2022, that momentum culminated in the launch of the official English Whisky Geographical Indication (GI) - a formal recognition of the category’s identity, quality standards, and provenance.

English whisky isn’t bound by long-standing traditions—and that’s exactly the point. With no rigid rules holding them back, distillers across England are rewriting what whisky can be.

• ✅ Small-Batch, Quality-First Production
  Most English distilleries are independently owned and obsessively hands-on. Production is slow, thoughtful, and ingredient-led—with a strong focus on detail over volume.

• ✅ Cask Innovation
  Expect to see more than just bourbon or sherry casks. English whisky producers are experimenting with STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) casks, as well as Marsala, Chardonnay, Amarone, and rum barrels for complex, unconventional flavour profiles.

• ✅ Natural Presentation
  High ABV, natural colour, non-chill filtered—these aren’t marketing buzzwords, they’re standard practice. English producers want drinkers to experience whisky in its full form.

• ✅ Regional & Agricultural Identity
  From the chalk soils of the Cotswolds to the grit of East London and the wild edges of Derbyshire, English distillers lean into their surroundings. Locally grown grains, local yeast strains, and brewery crossovers all play into the final flavour.

• ✅ Sustainability & Storytelling
  This isn’t whisky for tradition’s sake. Many distilleries—like White Peak and East London Liquor Co.—build sustainability into their DNA, from green energy to grain sourcing. Add strong brand storytelling and you’ve got whisky with personality.

• 🥃 The Cotswolds Distillery – One of the trailblazers. Known for fruit-forward single malts and pioneering use of STR casks. Elegant, consistent, and globally respected.

• 🥃 East London Liquor Co. – Gritty, urban, and flavour-first. ELWC’s whisky is bold, unfiltered and anti-precious—made for people who want to drink, not collect.

• 🥃 White Peak (Wire Works Whisky) – Derbyshire’s cult hit. Lightly peated, yeast-driven, and known for its rich use of STR and bourbon casks. A fast-rising favourite among whisky nerds.

• 🥃 The Lakes Distillery – Combining French oak and wine-cask finishing with a deep, flavour-led blending philosophy. Complex, polished, and highly awarded.

• 🥃 Spirit of Yorkshire (Filey Bay) – Coastal, bright, and cereal-driven. The UK’s only farm-to-bottle distillery using 100% home-grown barley.

🥃 Dartmoor, Bimber, and Cooper King – Other notable names pushing boundaries—each with their own identity, from ex-cognac stills to eco-led production.

These whiskies are approachable without being boring - packed with flavour, integrity, and character. Great neat, with water, over ice, or in cocktails. All under £100.

Lake District Single Malt
Elegant and expressive, Equinox blends sherried sweetness with floral finesse. From The Lakes’ experimental Editions range, this whisky delivers complexity without losing drinkability.

• Tasting notes: Sandalwood, orange blossom, baked apple, dried fruit

• Why whisky fans love it: Polished yet playful—an easy sipper that reveals more with every pour.

• Price: £80–£89

Cotswolds Single Malt
Fully matured in STR red wine casks—founder Dan Szor’s favourite. It’s a late-night dram we keep coming back to: decadent, warming, and fruit-driven.

• Tasting notes: Red berries, toffee, clove, dark chocolate

• Why whisky fans love it: Like a warm hug in a glass. Full-bodied and effortlessly comforting.

• Price: £62–£67

Derbyshire Single Malt (Lightly Peated)

Matured in ex-bourbon and STR French oak casks, this cult favourite from White Peak distillery shows soft smoke, orchard fruit, and layered sweetness—backed by brewing DNA.

• Tasting notes: Toffee fudge, green apple, lemon zest, wisp of smoke

• Why whisky fans love it: Gently smoky and beautifully structured. Smart, flavour-first whisky.

• Price: £76

Norfolk Single Malt
From one of England’s modern whisky pioneers. This small-batch release is aged in Virgin Oak, offering warming spice and bold richness.

• Tasting notes: Gingerbread, vanilla fudge, honeycomb, dark sugar

• Why whisky fans love it: Classic, comforting, and a testament to early English whisky craftsmanship.

• Price: £67

London Rye Whisky
Unfiltered, unapologetic, and full of East End swagger. This rye is finished in second-fill Chardonnay casks for four years, softening the spice and adding fruit.

• Tasting notes: Rye spice, peach compote, lemon balm, leather

• Why whisky fans love it: Punchy but refined. A rye with backbone and finesse.

• Price: £76

Regenerative Rye Whisky

Made from regeneratively grown grains, Fielden’s whisky leads with soil and soul. Their original rye is a cocktail hero—but the 2019 Harvest Release? Next level.

• Tasting notes: Clove, hazelnut, honey, orange peel, charred oak

• Why whisky fans love it: Earthy, expressive, and conscious. Field-forward whisky that tastes like purpose.

• Price: £56–£58

🛒 Where to buy: Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange or Amathus.

We bottle English whisky that showcases both flavour and story. Each release offers a different lens into what this category can do.

👉 #2 East London Liquor –  That first bite of a gooey chocolate brownie—now imagine it in whisky form. A London Rye matured in a Chocolate Stout cask, this one's rich, chocolatey and juicy.

👉 #6 Cotswolds – This English whisky gem is a seriously elegant contender. Classic, fruity and refined, it’s pure deliciousness and will put a smile on anyone’s face.

👉 #10 Wire Works – If there were ever a whisky to epitomise winter…this would be it! A touch of smoke, a sweetness from the tawny port cask - this cask has it all. Unashamedly bold, big, smoky, sweet and perfectly in balance.

👉 #16 Fielden – Sherry lovers, this one’s for you. Rich, luscious and spicy — this 100% rye whisky from Fielden was finished in a coastal Oloroso sherry cask, layering honeycomb and banana chips with waves of sea-salted caramel.