The English Distillery

Norfolk retail staff recently had a brilliant trip to the English Distillery!

We were shown around by Mike, the Sales Director - He started by showing us how they make the whisky. We entered the Still Room and this room was hot! Even with a window open you can feel the heat from the Stills. Mike explained the full process to us, from using local barley from a farm around the corner to using water from a river that runs under the distillery. The distillery itself was built by Andrew Nelstrop, he wanted to start making English whisky to a high standard, and even now the distillery is family owned.

Afterwards, we went outside to see where they store the casks filled with whisky. Mike explained where they get their casks from and the technique they use to get the most out of them. Most distilleries will use casks where the wood has been taken apart and then rebuilt on arrival to the distillery. However, the English Distillery purchase ex Bourbon casks and make sure they are not taken apart, by doing this is allows the cask to keep absorbing any leftover bourbon inside, adding more flavour to the end product. The same will go for any Sherry cask whiskies too. The whisky will age in these casks until the distillery manager deems perfect. An interesting fact we learned was that King Charles has his own casks of whisky stored there. They were made when the distillery first opened in 2006 and they have been kept there ever since. 

Afterwards we made our way into the gift shop. Mike took us to a section which is normally roped off to the public. There they had every expression they had ever made at the distillery, including special bottles made for the Royal Family marking special events. There he discussed all the different whiskies they offer regularly and then more rare ones to which they make in small batches.

Finally, we started whisky tasting! Mike poured us all a glass of the Original and the Smokey. Both are absolutely delicious! He then sent around two more to try if we wanted to. The Wine Cask Matured and the Sherry Cask Matured - The latter of which won the world's best whisky award in 2024. This award was an incredible achievement for them as I wouldn’t imagine an English whisky winning against its Scottish counterparts. The last spirit Mike gave to us was the Norfolk PX - This is a lovely liqueur, which is very unique and recently won gold at the Great British Food Awards. When I tried this liqueur it was beautiful! It was like drinking treacle. 

At the end of our incredible day, Mike handed us all a lovely goody bag. Inside included a bottle of the Norfolk Nog - I have heard so many good things about this cream liqueur, so to get given a bottle, I was over the moon. We also received a pipette jug, a nice mug and whisky stones. 

Overall we had a fantastic time there and if you are ever around Norfolk make sure you pop in for a visit. All the staff are incredibly lovely, and you can tell they enjoy what they do.

Written by Oliver Partington