Everything you need to know about Cotswolds Distillery

Overview & History

• Located in Stourton, in the Cotswolds region of England.

• Founded in 2014 by Dan Szor, an American entrepreneur who fell in love with the area.

• One of the leading distilleries in the modern English whisky revival.

• Produces whisky, gin, and other spirits with a strong focus on local ingredients.

Production

• Uses 100% locally grown barley from the Cotswolds.

• Long fermentation periods (around 90 hours) to create fruity, estery flavours.

• Distillation done in traditional Forsyths copper pot stills.

• Warehouse maturation in the local climate produces a rich, flavourful spirit.

Whisky Range

• Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky – their flagship expression, first released in 2017.

• Cotswolds Sherry Cask – richer, dried fruit and chocolate notes.

• Cotswolds Peated Cask – lightly smoky due to previous peated whisky maturation casks.

• Founder’s Choice – matured in STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) red wine casks; well regarded for bold flavour.

• Limited editions and seasonal bottlings add variety to the lineup.

Flavour Profile

Typical characteristics of Cotswolds whisky:

• Rich, fruity, and full-bodied.

• Notes of honey, malt, apples, pears, vanilla, spice, and dried fruit.

• Often bottled at 46%+, non chill-filtered and natural colour.

Style & Reputation

• Known for approachable yet complex single malt whiskies.

• Praised for transparency, craftsmanship, and use of high-quality local barley.

• Considered one of the top English whisky distilleries, with international recognition.

Significance

• Helped establish England as a serious whisky-producing nation.

• Demonstrates that young whiskies can be full of character when produced with high-quality methods.

• Strong visitor centre and tours make it a popular destination in the region.