THE COTSWOLDS DISTILLERY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The Cotswolds Distillery has opened and the first phase of this new-build project represents an investment of over £4 million.

The ambitious vision by founder Daniel Szor for the first ever world-class distillery in the region is long-term and sustainable. It will create quality whisky, gin and liqueurs with artisan qualities and provenance, and pioneer the production of quality spirits from the Cotswolds. Whilst integrating into the local business community and countryside, and remaining true to craft brewing principles, it will fulfil commercial and international objectives that will place the region on the world map of fine spirits.

The Cotswolds Distillery Open For Business

Working with Daniel Szor, is a team of three distillers; each brings his own expertise in whisky and gin, as well as liqueurs and specialities. Head Distiller is Alex Davies, who is respected as a dynamic young distiller with superb credentials and qualifications and an MSc degree in brewing & distilling from the world renowned Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. Alex Davies and Assistant Distillery Manager Shaun Smith will work closely under consultant Master Distiller Harry Cockburn and Wood and Ageing Expert Jim Swan.

Distillery equipment has been painstakingly sourced, with long lead time planning and tailor-made specifications Two copper pot stills for whisky come from Forsyth: 2,400 litre wash still, 1,600 litre spirit still. The 500 litre gin still has been sourced from Holstein. The distillery has also purchased custom-made, re-charred American oak barrels and bourbon and sherry casks.

The distilling team will work continuously, six days a week, over 250 distilling days per year, to create 150,000 bottles of whisky, 100,000 bottles of gin, brandy and other white spirits per year.

Sales and distribution will focus initially on the gin (from September 2014). The distillery will work with local and national distributors, and also drive export sales. The distillery forecasts selling 10,000 bottles of gin before the end of 2014.

Source: Slo London