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Discover The Best English Whisky: Award-Winning Single Malt

With a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship, it is no surprise that England is now one of the most interesting producers of world whisky, and where better to have a distillery than in the agricultural heart – the Cotswolds. Quality, local ingredients, expertly selected casks and precision production ensure that every bottle of Cotswolds single malt whisky meets an exceptional level of quality and consistency.

In this guide, you will learn about the very best offerings of English whisky from England’s largest whisky distillery.

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Award-Winning English Single Malt Whiskies to Try

1. Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky

The first whisky ever made in the Cotswolds, released in 2017, is our award-winning Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky. Belonging to our Classics Collection , our Signature Single Malt favours rich and bold and fruity notes.

COTSWOLDS SIGNATURE SINGLE MALT WHISKY

Barrels: highly active STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine casks and premium first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels

Tasting notes: honey, red fruits and a hint of treacle

Awards:

2. Cotswolds Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

Our Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky is a marriage of carefully selected and blended sherry casks and is part of our Cask Expressions Collection. Each yearly batch is unique and has been sherry-aged through full maturation for a deeper, more flavourful profile.

Barrels: American and Spanish oak hogsheads and butts (large), seasoned with either dry Oloroso sherry or sweet Pedro Ximénez

Tasting notes: dried fruits, chocolate and a touch of spice

Awards:

Cotswolds Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky

3. The Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky

Part of our Cask Expressions Collection, our cask strength Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky is aged exclusively in our founder Dan Szor’s favourite casks: STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred). These highly active casks were created by our mentor and renowned whisky consultant, the late Dr. Jim Swan, and give a rich and intense maturation to our fruity new make spirit.

The Founder's Choice Single Malt Whisky

Barrels: Ex red wine barriques which have been shaved, toasted and recharred

Tasting notes:

Awards: strong notes of toffee, chocolate and red fruits, as well as a beautiful, deep colour.

  • Trophy and Gold Winner of the World Spirits Challenge, 2025
  • Gold Category Winner of World Whisky Awards
  • Double Gold Winner of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2020
  • Gold Winner of the International Wine and Spirits Competition, 2019
  • Winner of Great Taste Award, 2019

4. Cotswolds Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky

Aged for full term maturation in peated ex-Islay quarter casks , our Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky is part of our Cask Expressions Collection. A delightful and moreish cask strength single malt with subtle hints of peat smoke on the palate, which complement the sweeter notes of our new make and the American oak cask.

4. Cotswolds Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky

Barrels:

Tasting notes: Ex-Peated Laphroaig Quarter Casks – Previously ex-Bourbon, American Oak

Awards: Subtle smoke on the palate, which complements vanilla and sweet fruit notes from the oak and spirit, respectively. Think 'smoky vanilla ice cream', as our distillers like to describe it!

  • 1st Place in the category of Best English Whisky, International Whisky Competition, 2020
  • Gold Winner at The World Whisky Masters, 2020
  • Spring Tasting 2021 Master

5. Cotswolds Harvest Series

Each year, our head of production crafts a completely unique expression, inspired by a local Cotswolds painting – featured on the packaging. Each small batch produces a limited number of bottles (1,500), so they make the perfect addition to any English whisky collection. Explore the award-winning Harvest Series Collection .

Cotswolds Harvest Series

What Makes English Whisky Unique?

English Single Malt Whisky from the Cotswolds Distillery is unique for several reasons. The landscape defines every aspect of the brand – we source water from the local Cotswolds village, barley from a local farm, and all our waste feeds back into the ecosystem.

We also have unique production methods that pack our new make with bold, fruity flavours. This is achieved by longer-than-average fermentation periods (of eight days) and precision cut points that allow more flavour into the final heat cut.

Cotswolds Whisky

How English whisky compares to Scotch and Irish whisky

There are several ways that English, Irish and Scotch whisky differ. Scotch Whisky has strict rules imposed by the SWA, which limit the types of barrel seasoning. The cool climate also means that barrels mature more slowly. Irish whisky is typically distilled three times using column distillation, whereas Scotch and our English Whisky are distilled twice in pot distillation. Column distillation results in a cleaner, crisper spirit, which gets most of its flavour from the wood.

Scotch Irish English
  • Pot distillation
  • Typically twice distilled
  • Carries much more flavour into the new make
  • Matures slowly with an angel’s share of around 2%
  • Must mature in traditional casks
  • Column distillation
  • Typically distilled three times
  • Carries less flavour into the new make
  • Must be aged in wood, but no rules on seasoning
  • Matures moderately slowly 3-5% angel’s share
  • Batch distillation is common, but there are no regulations
  • Typically, full-bodied flavour but styles can vary
  • Must be aged in wood but there are no rules on seasoning
  • Matures faster with an angel’s share of 6% (depending on latitude)

While younger than the longstanding heritage of Scotch or Irish Whiskey, there is exceptional quality and flavour on offer from English distilleries. Because they aren’t confined by strict rules on production, there is more flavour to experience. The warmer climate helps achieve a complex flavour profile in a shorter maturation period, so you can taste the richness of a high-age-statement Scotch at a much younger age.

Read about how single malt whisky compares

How to Choose the Best English Whisky?

Whether you want to buy English Whisky for your own collection or as a gift, there are several things to consider before choosing a bottle.

If you’re buying for someone else and don’t know what they will enjoy, your best bet is to choose the Signature Single Malt whisky, which is the most versatile and approachable option that can be enjoyed on its own, in a cocktail or with your favourite mixer.

Alternatively, explore our whisky recommendations based on popular brands to see which bottle of English whisky is best suited to your tastes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What makes Cotswolds Distillery stand out among English whisky producers?

The Cotswolds Distillery is the largest English Whisky Distillery and has a longstanding reputation for exceptional quality single malt and bold, flavour. What makes our spirit different is that we pack our new make with as much flavour as possible, while other brands rely on barrels to develop flavour.

Where can I purchase top English single malt whiskies online in the UK?

You can buy Cotswolds Distillery whisky in selected supermarkets, such as Waitrose, at our distillery shop or online, directly from our website. Shop English Single Malt online.

What is the typical price range for award-winning English single malt whisky?

Our classics and cask expression single malt whiskies vary from £46 to £76. Usually, cask-strength bottles will have a more premium price compared to those at bottle strength.

Which English single malt whiskies are considered world-class?

Several Cotswolds Distillery whiskies have won awards outside of the category of English whisky. For example, the Signature Single Malt, the Sherry Cask Single Malt, and the Founder’s Choice Single Malt have all earned several prestigious awards, including the World Whisky Awards 2025 and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

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