As a judge at the 2025 World Spirits Challenge in Macau, I swirled countless spirits under the glow of the tasting room, each glass a window into craftsmanship from across the globe. Yet three whiskies from England’s Cotswolds Distillery stopped me in my tracks. All three earned gold medals, with one crowned Best English Single Malt Whisky. These weren’t just drinks—they were revelations, weaving the Cotswolds’ golden fields into every sip.
The Cotswolds Distillery was founded in 2014 by Dan Szor, who left a career in finance in London to settle in the Cotswolds. Inspired by the local barley fields surrounding his new home, he set out to create whisky where none had been made before. From a derelict site, he built a distillery committed to quality, flavor, and bold experimentation, using locally grown barley and traditional methods to craft spirits that reflect the character of their origin.
All three were No Age Statement (NAS) whiskies, yet each displayed remarkable depth and individuality.
Cotswolds Spanish Oak Single Malt Whisky
The Spanish Oak Single Malt glowed deep amber in the glass—warm, rich, and quietly promising. The nose offered a graceful interplay of dried apricots, creamy vanilla, and soft baking spices, like stepping into late summer orchard air. On the palate, it opened with smooth confidence before unfolding into something bolder: dried fruits, custard, and a whisper of star anise. The finish lingered with a sweet, balanced touch of oak. Crafted with Oloroso sherry, ex-red wine, and bourbon casks, this whisky didn’t just impress—it moved with elegance, clarity, and control. A testament to Cotswolds’ meticulous approach to blending traditional and innovative cask maturation techniques.
Cotswolds Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky
The Peated Cask shimmered pale amber in the glass. Its aroma burst with bright citrus zest—lemon and orange—wrapped in a refined smokiness that evoked a salty sea breeze. The palate was crisp yet full-bodied, blending smoky peat, citrus oils, and a gentle fruit sweetness with remarkable balance. The finish stretched long, leaving a clean trail of smoke and earthy peat. Aged in ex-peated quarter casks from Islay, this whisky offers something unique for peated expressions—it’s smoky without being overwhelming, an elegant reflection of both the distillery’s vision and the craft of its distillers. As they call it: “smoky vanilla ice cream.” I’d argue it’s England’s finest peated whisky, rivaling any from Scotland, with a distinctly English finesse.
Cotswolds Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky
Gold Medal + TROPHY in English Single Malt Whisky – WSC 2025
The Founder’s Choice was the star. Its rich amber hue promised depth, and the nose delivered—pineapple, orange marmalade, and creamy caramel woven with preserved plum. The palate was complex and satisfying, bursting with dried fruits, buttery caramel, and oak spice. Its warm, lingering finish carried fruit sweetness and mellow oak. This cask-strength gem, matured in STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred) ex-red wine barriques designed by the late Dr. Jim Swan, delivered remarkable depth and complexity. No wonder it claimed the WSC Trophy. It’s a whisky that’s as bold as it is refined, as expressive as it is balanced—an embodiment of Cotswolds’ relentless pursuit of flavor.
Cotswolds’ Triumph in Taste
The WSC’s blind tastings are famously unforgiving. Every spirit is judged solely on what’s in the glass—aroma, taste, finish, and nothing else. For Cotswolds to take home three golds and a Trophy is no accident. These whiskies reflect the soul of the distillery: rooted in its land, uncompromising in craft, and bold in imagination. Tasting them felt like walking through golden fields, each sip echoing with story and place. They lingered with me long after Macau. If you love whisky, seek them out. Raise a glass to Cotswolds—England’s rising star.
