Now things get interesting. A distillery I have never heard or and a type of whisky which I know very little about.

In all honestly, looking at the label before doing some research I assumed this was an American Rye whiskey with English overtones. Turns out its just English which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Oxford Artisan distillery started in Oxford in 2016, this bottle was distilled in 2019. In 2024, a year after this bottled the distillery was closed down and production is now done by an unnamed 3rd party with a new distillery planned to be built in Yorkshire. The whisky is now sold under the name Fielden.

Quite a sad story so far and a 3 year old English whisky matured in the United Kingdom with our mild and rainy weather doesn’t inspire me to think this is going to blow my mind. First off I am thinking this is going to be under matured, harsh and singular in its flavour profile. The specs are Distilled 1st December 2019, bottled 1st May 2023, 50% ABV and a 70cl bottle is still available at Master of Malt for £54.95.

There is some feel good factor though, the Rye is British grown and a lot of the recent investment money has gone to securing grain production from local farms and generally putting money back into regenerative agriculture in the UK. Anyone who has watched Clarkson’s Farm will know how important that is for the rural community.

Official Tasting Notes

Nose	Crisp green apples open the way for buttered sourdough, rye spice, and fragrant anise, with buttery biscuits, burnt brown sugar, apricot jam, rosehips, and a touch of wood polish.
Palate	Soft, buttery toffee is backed by gingerbread, and creamy waves of fruit sorbet, while hibiscus and elegant woody spice nestle in a comfortable balance.
Finish	Candied ginger and tickles of chilli chocolate, rye bread with set honey, creamy rice pudding, and a savoury, herbaceous touch of caraway.

Tasting Notes

Colour	Pale yellow
Nose	Very vibrant, lots of Rye notes, floral flower notes and a sweet gooseberry jam on toast
Palate	I agree on the hibiscus notes from above and then some nettle soup but its still fruity and sweet Lots more of the Rye grain coming through as well.
Finish	Ginger and woody herbs. Wood spices and a drying dusty wood sawdust

Where Can I Buy?

Master of Malt – Oxford Artisan

Final Thoughts

What a surprise this little 3 year old is. Full of texture, flavour and fun. Perhaps I have too many Scotch bottles that this really excited me because Rye Whisky is so different to single malt.

A definite should buy recommendation from me