The Lakes Distillery
The Lakes Distillery is one of England's most celebrated whisky producers, established in 2014 on the site of a converted Victorian farmstead at Low Barkhouse Farm, Setmurthy, beside Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District National Park. Founded by Paul Currie — who had previously co-founded Arran Distillery on the Isle of Arran — the distillery draws water from the River Derwent and produces single malt whisky, blended whisky, gin, and vodka. In June 2024 the distillery was acquired by English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber for £71 million, marking a significant step in the maturation of the English whisky industry. Annual production capacity stands at 375,000 litres.
The Lakes' philosophy of "Élevage" — a winemaking concept applied to whisky, meaning the careful nurturing of flavour through intelligent cask management and blending — has earned the distillery an extraordinary run of awards for a young operation. The Whiskymaker's Reserve No. 4 was named the World's Best Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards 2022, placing The Lakes on the global map just eight years after opening.
Tours
Available
On-site Shop
Open
Online Shop
Available
History
Paul Currie established The Lakes Distillery in 2014 with a total investment of approximately £9 million, converting the 1850s Low Barkhouse Farm into a working distillery while preserving the Victorian stone architecture. Construction and fit-out were completed within a year of the project beginning. The distillery's first spirit ran in 2014.
The inaugural single malt release, Genesis, came in 2018: just 99 bottles were produced and the first bottle sold at auction for £7,900, signalling enormous demand for English whisky at the luxury end of the market. In March 2025 the distillery launched Signature — its first permanent core range single malt — completing the transition from occasional limited releases to a consistent ongoing portfolio.
In January 2022 the distillery announced plans to expand by installing eight new washbacks, increasing fermentation capacity. The most significant commercial milestone came in June 2024, when Nyetimber — the respected English sparkling wine estate — acquired The Lakes Distillery for £71 million, providing the capital and distribution infrastructure to grow the brand internationally.
Production
The Lakes draws water from the River Derwent, which flows through the estate and is prized for its exceptional purity from the Lake District fells. Annual production capacity is approximately 375,000 litres. The distillery uses traditional copper pot stills and a select range of high-quality casks — principally ex-bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and wine casks — in its "Élevage" maturation approach. The Whiskymaker's Reserve series is produced by blending spirits from different cask types and ages, then allowing the blend to "marry" further before bottling. All single malts are non-chill-filtered.
Tasting Character
The Lakes' house style is rich, wood-forward, and intensely flavoured by English craft whisky standards. The "Élevage" approach prioritises cask selection and blending as craft skills, drawing parallels with wine. The result is whisky with unusual depth and complexity for its age. The Whiskymaker's Reserve series showcases this approach at its most ambitious: No. 4 offered Manuka honey, sun-dried dates, and roasted cashew on the nose, with dried fruit, nut, and spice layers on the palate and a long, vibrant finish. The One Blended Whisky — a blend of malt, grain, and single grain — offers an accessible, lighter entry point with gentle vanilla and orchard fruit character.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- The Lakes Single Malt Signature£74.00 — Permanent core range, approachable and fruit-led, non-chill filtered
- The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No. 4£82.90 — World's Best Single Malt, World Whisky Awards 2022
- The Lakes Whiskymaker's Editions Infinity£99.50 — Ongoing blended malt exploration
- The Lakes Whiskymaker's Editions Reflections£62.32 — Seasonal limited release
- The One Blended Whisky£33.72 — Accessible entry point, multi-grain blend
- Genesis (2018) — Inaugural single malt; 99 bottles; first bottle sold for £7,900
- The Lakes Classic English Gin£33.32 — Botanicals from the Lake District landscape
- The Lakes Pink Grapefruit Gin£26.76 — Fruit-forward gin expression
Buy their whiskey
32 The Lakes Distillery bottles stocked across 3 retailers.
MoM
The Lakes Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur Flavoured Gin
£26.76
TWS
The Lakes Gin 70cl
£42.00
LFW
The Lakes Single Malt Signature
£74.00
We earn a commission from purchases through these links at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure
Visiting
The Lakes Distillery offers one of the most scenic distillery experiences in England. Standard distillery tours run daily, with options including The Lakes Single Malt Experience, Whisky & Chocolate Pairing sessions, and private hire events. An on-site Bistro serves food using locally sourced ingredients. A well-stocked retail shop and online shop are available. The distillery is located at Low Barkhouse Farm, Setmurthy, Cockermouth, CA13 9SJ. Contact: 017687 88850. Full details at lakesdistillery.com.
Official Website
