England isn’t usually my first choice to find whisky. Unlike our neighbours in Scotland and Ireland, or even Japan and America, it’s a tipple we’ve long enjoyed but little distilled. But what if we told you, things are changing? That there are over 50 distilleries in the country currently making English whisky!
The English Whisky Festival will once again celebrate this burgeoning scene later this month at The Bond. On November 23, several English distilleries – from all over the country – will descend on Birmingham to celebrate the country’s finest whiskies. After two years of celebrating online, having started in 2020, The English Whisky Festival held its first in-person event in 2022.
For its third year, each attendee gets a free tasting glass to use throughout the festival day and keep as a memento. All of the spirits on the brand stands are included to sample in the ticket price, so no tokens or hidden costs to enjoy these amazing drams. There is also a food court to sate your appetite and line your stomach, plus an on-site bottle shop to buy all your favourite whiskies and spirits to take home with you.
Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the faces behind the distilleries, as well as delve into masterclasses exploring many facets of the trade. There will also be festival-exclusive whiskies to sample, plus some of the oldest English Whisky available to drink. This is the only gathering featuring this many English Whisky distilleries, making it a unique opportunity to experience the whole category under one roof.
Richard Foster, founder of Exploring English Whisky said:
English Whisky keeps going from strength to strength, so to be hosting the third annual English Whisky Festival is both an honour and a pleasure. We’re welcoming over 30 brands to the show, the most we’ve ever had – but the great thing is they each have a unique and fascinating story to tell and innovative, delicious spirits to share. If you aren’t familiar with English Whisky yet, this is the place to come and find out why it’s so hot right now.
Among the 30 English whisky distilleries participating are: Abingdon Distillery, Ad Gefrin, Adnams, Bankhall, Bimber, Canterbury Brewers & Distillers, Circumstance, Cooper King, Masthouse (Copper Rivet), Cotswolds Distillery, East London Liquor Company, Exploring English Whisky, Ellers Farm, Elsham Wold, English Whisky Co, Fielden, Gullivers 47, Grasmere, Henstone, The Lakes, Lancaster Spirits Company, Ludlow Distillery, Mercia Whisky, Penrock Distillery, Retribution Distilling Co., Sacred Spirits, Spirit of Birmingham, One Point Six (Spirit of Manchester), The Cheshire (Weetwood), Wireworks (White Peak), Whittakers, Witchmark (Wiltshire Distilling).
The English Whisky Festival is hosted by Exploring English Whisky. Tickets for the event are £46, which you can purchase here.