The Lakes distillery in England are now releasing their own whisky produced in their own distillery. However, originally to help fund the distillery and keep some cashflow churning through the company they produced a series of blended whiskies which are still going today.

“The One” series are all blended whiskies which married and finished by the team at the Lakes and usually include some kind of cask finish or other hook to get you in.

The first point of interest is to note that Scottish distilleries can’t do this kind of marketing or product. The SWA rules state you can’t market a whisky with the name of a distillery unless all the whisky is produced at that distillery. This to be fair is a good rule and stops some silliness creeping in when distilleries get popular and don’t have the stocks to meet demand. Eden Mill is one distillery which learnt this particular lesson the hard way and got into hot water with the authorities.

One day, I will get around to trying single malts from the Lakes distillery and Eden Mill actually as well. Until then I have two samples from Lakes in this Colheita (a kind of Port) and Manzanilla (a kind of Sherry). Colheita Port is a single vintage Tawny port. Tawny port is a port aged for at least 7 years in oak barrels. Which is handy for people looking for flavourful barrels to age whisky.

The Whisky

This sample was at the back of my cupboard and might have been from a Tweet Tasting I couldn’t make a few years back. The price on Master of Malts website is a super good £35 which is honestly incredible value but out of stock. Still available in other places like the distilleries own website for under £40 though.

The blend which was finished in those special Port casks consists of some Lakes own spirit, grain whiskies and whiskies from the Highlands, Speyside and Islay for a hint of smoke.

All blends are natural colour and non-chill filtered.

The Brands Tasting Notes

Peach cobbler, fresh apricot and a whiff of autumnal smoke no the nose lead to a palate of ripe plums, vanilla custard and warming cinnamon with a rich and comforting finish.

Tasting Notes

Colour	strikingly yellow
Nose	some soft fruits and a little tobacco smoke. Hidden in there is a freshly cut grass and the scent you might find in a spring fabric softener
Palate	Spiciness comes out here. cinnamon, peppercorns, a touch of chilli and
Finish	Some smokiness appears again like burning embers dying out. vanilla and cream

Where Can I Buy?

Amazon – https://amzn.to/3KYUrSP

Lakes Distillery – The One Fine Blended Whisky | Colheita Cask Finished – The Lakes Distillery

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the price has swung this for me. It’s a nice vibrant and fresh whisky which doesn’t break the bank, lets you try some of the distillery spirit and makes for a good summer whisky. Or at this time of year lets you remember the last time the sun was out.

Thick long and slow running legs in a glass as well. Always a winner winner chicken dinner in my book.