Cotswolds The Single Malt

Score: 71

Cotswolds The Single Malt surprised and delighted the club by securing a close second place in its tasting, an impressive feat for a whisky from a relatively unknown English distillery at the time. Bottled at 46% ABV, this non-age-stated dram is crafted from locally sourced Odyssey barley and matured in a mix of first-fill ex-bourbon and STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) red wine casks. The result? A whisky that punches well above its weight. Well placed 2nd for the evening, this whisky was a breath away from being the winner. Nobody had heard of the Cotswolds brand until this evening. And what an introduction it was. The nose offered a warm bouquet of orange peel, malted milk, and soft floral notes. On the palate, it delivered honeyed almonds, trail-mix fruits, and a touch of cocoa, rich, textured, and surprisingly expressive for such a young distillery. It was a dram that felt both familiar and fresh, with a balance that impressed even seasoned palates. The club’s reaction was unanimous: very lovely, and a clear signal that English whisky was no longer a curiosity, it was a contender.