The English Distillery Co 10 år Stirk Brothers Single Malt English Whisky 70 cl 50%

A decade before English whisky was widely known abroad, The English Distillery Co in Norfolk filled its first cask. This single cask, bottled by Stirk Brothers, is one of the rare survivors from the distillery's earliest years — a time when the whole English whisky project was still an experiment.

Expert's Description

The English Distillery Co 10 Year Old Stirk Brothers is a Single Malt English Whisky matured in an ex-bourbon cask and bottled at 50%.

The distillery — known today as The English Distillery Co, formerly St George's Distillery — opened in 2006 as the first newly built English whisky distillery in over a hundred years. This bottling comes from cask number 179, distilled in 2011 and later selected by independent bottler Stirk Brothers, who drew 254 bottles straight from the cask without mingling them with any other.

Stirk Brothers works on a small scale, hunting for casks with clear character rather than volume, which makes their selection a regular stop for collectors looking for alternatives to the big, familiar names.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose offers vanilla custard and toasted oak, backed by green apple and a touch of cereal.

Palate

On the palate the whisky turns rich, with caramel, honey biscuit and a light nutty sweetness, while the ex-bourbon cask lends a dry, woody undertone.

Finish

The finish is long and spiced, with black pepper and a faintly bitter edge of dark chocolate.

Specifications

Name: The English Distillery Co 10 Year Old Stirk Brothers
Distillery: The English Distillery Co
Bottler: Stirk Brothers
Region/Country: Norfolk, England
Type: Single Malt English Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon cask, cask no. 179
Distilled: 2011
Number of bottles: 254

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Sweet · Spiced · Creamy

Investment Potential

Medium — this bottling comes from the distillery's earliest years, when The English Distillery Co truly kick-started the modern English whisky movement, and with only 254 bottles from a single cask, interest among collectors of early English releases is rising.

Did You Know?

The English Distillery Co was the first newly established distillery in England to distil single malt whisky in over a hundred years — the first spirit ran off the stills in December 2006.

See our full range of The English Distillery Co
See our full range of Stirk Brothers

Frequently Asked Questions about The English Distillery Co 10 Year Old Stirk Brothers

How many bottles were released?

Only 254 bottles were drawn from the single ex-bourbon cask number 179, and once they're sold, this exact combination of vintage and cask will never be released again.

Is The English Distillery Co the same as St George's Distillery?

Yes, the distillery was originally named St George's Distillery but now trades as The English Distillery Co. It's still the same site in Norfolk that in 2006 became the first new English whisky distillery in over a hundred years.

Is this whisky peated?

No, this bottling isn't peated. Its flavour is carried by the ex-bourbon cask's vanilla and caramel rather than smoke.

What defines Stirk Brothers as a bottler?

Stirk Brothers is a small independent bottler that hunts for casks with distinct personality rather than large volumes, making their releases interesting for collectors looking beyond the well-known bottlers.

What temperature should this whisky be served at?

Serve it at room temperature in a nosing glass such as a Glencairn — it gives the best access to both the cask's vanilla and the spiced finish.

Does this whisky make a good gift?

Yes, the combination of a historically important distillery vintage and a low bottle count makes it a fitting gift for a whisky enthusiast who already knows the big Scottish names and is curious about England.

How does English whisky compare to Scotch?

English whisky like this often shows a cleaner cereal character and less smoke than many Scotch styles, while the cask — here an ex-bourbon barrel — plays a large role in sweetness and spice. See our full range of English Whisky here.