Norfolk whisky beats Scottish rivals as world’s best single malt
A whisky distilled in Norfolk has beaten Scottish rivals to be crowned the best single malt in the world.
The Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt, made by The English Distillery, beat global competition, including entries from Scotland, in the World Whiskies Awards.
With an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 46pc, the spirit is an unpeated single malt, matured in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The whisky is made from barley grown on a family farm and has been available for six months.
Judges described the Sherry Cask Matured Single Malt as offering notes of “banana, pear, apricot, marshmallow” while providing the “sweetness of honeysuckle, wisps of smoke, and ground cinnamon”.
The finish has notes of nutmeg and peppery spice, balanced with creamy vanilla, according to the panel.
The English Whisky Co was founded in 2006 and produces single malt whiskies using traditional Scottish techniques.
‘England can make world-class whisky’
The team behind the success is led by Andrew Nelstrop, who took on the distillery after his father’s death in 2014.
Mr Nelstrop said: “As England’s oldest registered whisky distillery, it has always been important to us to prove to the world that England can make world-class whisky and does. This prestigious award shows that it is not only possible but is actually happening.”
He added: “As we are in our 18th year of distilling it is incredibly special to us that our whiskies are recognised and that they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest. Our founders’ sole ambition was to make world-class single malt whisky, so I am very proud to have seen it come to fruition.”
The whisky is sold on the distillery’s online shop at £59 a bottle and can also be bought from specialist retailers such as the House of Malt and Bottle Apostle.
It is not the first time an English distillery has been recognised at the world’s best single malt.
In 2022, The Lakes Distillery was decorated in two categories for “Best English Single Malt” and “Best English Blended Whisky”.
Christopher Coates, Whisky Magazine’s editor-at-large, said that the latest win demonstrated the “incredible quality being produced by English distilleries”.
A spokesman for the Scotch Whisky Association told MailOnline: “Choosing a favourite whisky is a very personal choice, and Scotch whisky consistently wins awards around the world.
“We are proud it is the world’s number one internationally traded spirit.”
Whisky Magazine has been running the World Whiskies Awards since 2001. This year, judges tasted more than 1,500 different whiskies, representing more than 40 countries, across 23 categories including single malt, bourbon, blended, rye, pot still, and design.
