Introduction
I’ve always been intrigued by English whisky, especially from producers who approach it with the same level of care and patience as the older Scottish distilleries. The Lakes Distillery, tucked away in the Lake District, has been on my radar for a while, and when I got the chance to taste their Signature whisky, I went in with open expectations. I was curious to see how it would showcase its sherry influence and whether it lived up to the growing reputation of this relatively young producer.
Nose
From the first pour, the nose had an inviting richness. I immediately picked up caramelised apple and toffee, underpinned by a soft but noticeable dried fruit aroma—more fig and raisin than prune. There’s a slightly earthy note as well, like damp oak, which rounded out the sweetness. A touch of cocoa came through after a few minutes in the glass, along with some gentle baking spices—nutmeg and clove, mostly.
Palate
The whisky opens up gently on the tongue. It’s full-bodied but not overbearing. The sherry influence is clear, but not the type that dominates—think nutty with bits of orange marmalade and sultanas. There’s also a creamy texture mid-palate that I found particularly appealing. It reminded me of almond butter and vanilla custard, with just enough spice—probably cinnamon and pepper—to give structure without overwhelming the sweetness. Balance feels like the goal here, and it’s largely achieved.
Finish
The finish leans toward subtlety rather than boldness. It trails off slowly with soft tannins from the oak, a bit of cocoa powder dryness, and lingering notes of dried orange peel and clove warmth. It doesn’t stick around forever, but the impressions are pleasant, and they invite another sip rather than overwhelm the senses. There’s no harsh burn—just a gentle tapering of the flavours.
Price and Value
This bottle sits in the mid-price range, and while it’s not a bargain, it feels fairly priced considering the attention to maturation and blending that clearly went into it. For someone who enjoys well-integrated sherry-cask character without the syrupy weight, it delivers. I’d say it’s worth the cost if you’re looking for something measured and elegant.
Background
The Lakes Signature is part of the distillery’s core range and represents their house style, led by ex-Macallan whisky maker Dhavall Gandhi. The whisky is matured predominantly in ex-sherry casks, particularly Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez seasoned American and European oak. It’s a non-age-stated single malt, but there's a definite sense of maturity in the glass even without a number on the label.
Located near Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria, The Lakes Distillery takes a holistic approach to whisky-making, blending traditional methods with creative influence. Their emphasis on flavour-led maturation is evident here, with the cask profile doing much of the talking while preserving the distillate’s character.
Final Notes
Would I buy this bottle again? Yes, especially for occasions where I want something grounded yet flavourful. It isn't showy, but it rewards slow sipping. For someone new to whisky, this would be a sensible introduction—it’s approachable, rounded, and doesn’t overwhelm with peat or alcohol heat.
This dram would fit nicely into a relaxed evening with friends or as a thoughtful pour after dinner. Compared to Speyside malts—which it reminded me of in some ways—it holds its own, offering a different, slightly lighter take on sherried whisky.
If you’re wondering whether this whisky stands out in the growing field of English single malts, I’d say it does—not by shouting, but by quietly doing things well.