Cotswolds Whisky: England's Award-Winning Single Malt
Discover Cotswolds whisky - England's finest single malt crafted in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside.
Cotswolds whisky represents one of England's finest single malt expressions. Nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds countryside in the charming village of Stourton, Cotswolds Distillery has become a pioneer of English whisky, crafting rich, fruity single malts that rival their Scottish counterparts.
Founder Dan Szor's journey began with a simple question - the same question that, coincidentally, all our partner distillery founders asked themselves - 'Why doesn't whisky come from here?' while gazing over barley fields. What started as a dream and a ‘what if’ has developed into one of the leaders of the English Whisky movement, a now globally recognised whisky region boasting over 55 distilleries.
Dan, with a background in finance, fell in love with whisky during his time in Paris, fueled by attending regular tastings at La Maison du Whisky.
Eventually, the allure of The Cotswolds drew him away from finance, and with his whisky passion and his ‘what if’ in his head, he set out to make his mark. He’d previously bought a cask of whisky with some friends from Bruichladdich distillery, and conversations about his dream with the then-Master Distillery, Jim McEwan led him to Harry Cockburn, former distillery manager at Bowmore, and Dr Jim Swan - a legendary whisky scientist and distillation expert. Following the mantra of 'if you’re going to do something you’ve never done before, do it with the best,' Harry and Dr Jim joined him on his quest, and in 2014, The Cotswolds Distillery opened its doors.
'Don't make a spirit that needs ageing, make a spirit that needs amplifying,' was one of Dr Jim Swan's guiding principles, and it echoes in every drop crafted at the Cotswolds Distillery.
The result? A fruity, eau-de-vie-like spirit, achieved through a super long 92-hour fermentation and a meticulously high heart cut from their spirit still. Heading this up today is Alice Pearson, their cool and incredibly talented Whisky Distillery Manager whose vision for whisky creation and flavour has led to the release of some must-try whiskies recently, including, the self-named ‘The Alice’. Someone you want to try and meet when you visit.
Left to mature for a minimum of three years in oak casks, their whisky finds a sweet spot when aged in ex-bourbon and STR casks (shaved-toasted-re-charred red wine casks), a Dr Jim Swan special.
When wandering through their warehouses you may spot other casks too - that’s because Alice and the team are keen to explore how this fruity new-make would develop in other cask types. Some of these are given centre stage in their 'Hearts & Crafts' series – a yearly limited edition series celebrating The Cotswolds' Arts & Crafts movement. One we particularly love is their recent Banyuls cask release.
Step through the doors of the distillery, and your first encounter is the vibrant cafe. It's not just a cafe; it's a local epicentre for delicious food and excellent coffee.
The distillery has gone the extra mile to establish deep roots, actively contributing to the social aspect of the local community. On an environmental front, they're currently immersed in a transformative project, turning a substantial portion of their land into biodiverse wetlands. This initiative involves nurturing willow trees, reedbeds, and wildflowers – a dedicated effort to give back to the very infrastructure of the land. The Cotswolds Distillery isn't merely a whisky destination; it's a thriving community hub and a dedicated ecological steward.
HEADING TO THE COTSWOLDS?
Our guide to the Cotswolds, the home of The Cotswolds Distillery. Tried and tested, our favourite bars, restaurants, coffee shops and cool things to do. Enjoy!
Shop Cotswolds Whisky from The Heart Cut
#06 Cotswolds Distillery
English Single Malt | New American Oak Cask | 54.3% ABV
Elegant, fruity and refined with banana bread, pecans and a citrus lift.
#06 COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY POCKET POUR
English Single Malt | New American Oak Cask | 54.3% ABV
Elegant, fruity and refined with banana bread, pecans and a citrus lift.
Pocket Pour (3cl)
Why Buy Cotswolds Whisky from The Heart Cut?
As the World's Best Independent Bottler (2024 & 2025), we worked directly with the Cotswolds Distillery to bring you an exclusive single cask releases. This release was carefully selected by our team, and we provide detailed tasting notes and background for each release. Plus, enjoy free UK delivery on your first order when you join the Slow Whisky Club.
Cotswolds Whisky: Your Questions Answered
What makes Cotswolds whisky special?
Cotswolds whisky is crafted using locally-sourced Cotswolds barley and a distinctive 92-hour fermentation process developed by legendary whisky consultant Dr Jim Swan. The result is a fruity, eau-de-vie-like spirit that's matured in carefully selected ex-bourbon and STR (shaved-toasted-re-charred) casks, creating a rich, complex single malt.
How much does Cotswolds whisky cost?
Cotswolds whisky typically ranges from £60-£120 depending on age, cask type, and edition. Our exclusive single cask releases from Cotswolds Distillery offer exceptional value for collectors and enthusiasts.
Where can I buy Cotswolds whisky?
You can buy Cotswolds whisky directly from The Heart Cut. As an award-winning independent bottler, we offer exclusive single cask releases and limited editions with free delivery on your first order when you join the Slow Whisky Club.
What does Cotswolds whisky taste like?
Cotswolds whisky is known for its fruity, refined character with notes of toasted banana bread, candied pecans, honey, vanilla, and warming spice. The distinctive 92-hour fermentation creates a rich, complex flavour profile that's both approachable and sophisticated.
Is Cotswolds whisky any good?
Yes! Cotswolds Distillery has won multiple awards and is recognized as one of England's leading single malt producers. Their whisky manager Alice Pearson continues to innovate with unique cask finishes and limited edition releases.
Who founded Cotswolds Distillery?
Cotswolds Distillery was founded by Dan Szor in 2014. With guidance from whisky legends Harry Cockburn (former Bowmore distillery manager) and Dr Jim Swan, Dan created one of England's most respected whisky distilleries.
Can you visit Cotswolds Distillery?
Yes! Cotswolds Distillery offers tours and tastings at their beautiful location in Stourton. They also have an excellent cafe serving delicious food and coffee, making it a perfect day trip destination.
