The Lakes Signature

English whisky has come of age. Perhaps none more so than The Lakes. Distilling single malt since 2014, their Whiskymaker's Reserve range included the World Whiskies Awards’ World's Best Single Malt in 2022. Signature leads directly on from that range’s seven releases, becoming the first permanent version of their sumptuous sherry-led style. “I don't know anybody else in the world who's doing this", said whisky writer Dave Broom on how they’re using wood.

So erm… what is it they’re doing? The term they use is ‘élevage’, which if you’re not a Cognac or wine buff may need some elaboration… Simply put, they don’t just leave the whisky in the casks, they tinker, taste, intervene, move cask positions, recask spirit, blend during maturation, marry for over a year etc. It's a proactive and demanding way to build and layer flavour (that can also be seriously rewarding).