Cotswolds Distillery

Daniel Szor established Cotswolds Distillery in July 2014 with a mission to produce premium English single malt using traditional Scotch-style methods but with local Cotswolds ingredients. Production began in September 2014, with gin distilled first to generate early revenue while whisky stock matured. The decision to use locally grown barley from Cotswolds farms, and to adapt Scotch methods to English terroir, defined the distillery's identity from the outset.

The first Cotswolds Single Malt was released in 2017, having completed the mandatory three-year maturation. It quickly established the distillery as a benchmark for English whisky, winning international awards and gaining listings in premium retailers worldwide. The visitor centre grew rapidly, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually and becoming one of the most visited whisky attractions in the country.

In April 2023, Berry Bros. & Rudd — the prestigious London wine and spirits merchant — acquired a minority stake, bringing with it significant distribution muscle and strategic credibility. By May 2024, Cotswolds had been named the most popular whisky distillery in Great Britain and Ireland. The distillery has expanded its range to include the Signature core expression, Founder's Choice cask selections, a Sherry Cask, Bourbon Cask, and Peated Cask — covering a wide spectrum of English single malt styles.

The distillery operates three copper pot stills: two whisky stills named Mary (2,500 litre wash still) and Janis (1,600 litre spirit still), both made by Forsyth and Son of Rothes; and one gin still named Dolly (500 litre), made by Arnold Holstein. Locally grown Cotswolds barley is used throughout, emphasising terroir and regional provenance. Maturation takes place in a combination of ex-bourbon and various European wine casks including Sherry and other finishing casks.

Cotswolds Single Malt is characterised by a rich, fruit-forward style with honeyed cereal sweetness, fresh red fruit, and warm spice. The Signature expression is the accessible, flagship release — approachable yet layered. The Founder's Choice bottlings showcase exceptional individual cask selections at natural cask strength, often showing greater complexity and depth. The Sherry Cask expression leans into dried fruits, dark chocolate, and warming spice; the Peated variant adds a subtle smoky dimension uncommon in English whisky. The house style across the range is generous, sweet, and richly fruited — a reflection of the Cotswolds landscape and the distillery's craft approach.

Cotswolds Distillery has a well-established visitor centre and shop within the Cotswolds AONB, open year-round. The centre offers guided distillery tours, whisky and gin masterclasses, tastings, and a café, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. Private cask ownership is available for those wanting a deeper connection to the production process. Book tours and experiences via cotswoldsdistillery.com. The distillery is located in Stourton, near Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire.