Located in the historic city of Lancaster, Lancaster Spirits Co. is making waves in the world of English whisky. Founded in 2022 by the team behind Lancaster Brewery, the distillery blends the craftsmanship of brewing with a commitment to creating high-quality spirits. As part of the Lancaster Leisure Park, visitors can enjoy a charming farm shop and a welcoming distillery that offers a wide range of spirits, including gin, vodka, and, of course, whisky.

During my visit in late April, I was very interested in the distillery’s passion for flavour, innovative approach to distillation, and forward-thinking cask program. If you’re ever in Lancashire, Lancaster Spirits Co. is a must-visit for anyone interested in experiencing the future of English whisky up close.

Travel & The Local Area 

Situated on the outskirts of Lancaster, Lancaster Spirits Co. is a rising star in the world of English whisky. Travelling from my home in Manchester, it takes just over an hour by car. For those traveling by public transport, the journey is easy via train from Manchester to Lancaster, followed by a short hop to the distillery, which sits within the Lancaster Leisure Park. The area is home to a delightful farm shop offering fresh local produce, complete with a cafe. 

The distillery, founded in 2022 by the team behind Lancaster Brewery, shares a strong connection to its brewing roots. Located within the brewery itself, Lancaster Spirits Co. has the luxury of creating spirits with the same dedication to flavour and craftsmanship that has been the hallmark of the brewery’s success. 

The proud display of a still at the entrance is a testament to the importance of distilling in their process, and the distillery also offers a welcoming space where you can grab a drink and a bite to eat.

Touring Lancaster Spirits Co.

During my visit, Commercial Manager Chris Pateman, a passionate advocate for English whisky with a wealth of experience in the industry, guided me through the distillery. Chris emphasized that flavour is at the core of everything Lancaster Spirits Co. does. Their use of winter barley and chocolate malt provides a distinctive base, while their hand-turned mash tun and fermentation process are designed to bring out the fullest expression of the ingredients.

The distillery’s incremental distillation process is carefully controlled, with the spirit coming off the still at 72-74% and entering the cask at 63.5% to ensure a smooth maturation. Casks range from reconditioned sherry casks to STR and wine casks, each contributing to the whisky’s evolving profile.

Crafting at Scale, With No Compromise

What stands out most at Lancaster Spirits Co. is its ability to combine craftsmanship with scale. The distillery produces 1,200 litres of spirit per week from two weekly mashes, yielding around 8,000 litres of wash. Yet despite this relatively high output, in comparison to some other craft English distilleries, it never compromises on process or flavour integrity.

A key differentiator is its use of brewer’s yeast. More expensive than typical distiller’s yeast, it delivers a noticeably more complex and flavourful spirit. This is partly due to the increased metabolic activity of the live yeast, which generates a higher number of esters and phenols during Lancaster’s long fermentation, sometimes extending up to 168 hours. The slower, more expressive fermentation gives the yeast time to develop intricate flavour pathways that shape the final character of the spirit. 

The Current Casks 

Currently, 178 casks are maturing in the warehouse, and the oldest cask is just 9 months old. However, the distillery’s forward-thinking cask purchase program is an exciting feature: customers can purchase their own cask and enjoy the flexibility of an open-ended exit strategy. 

This model offers whisky enthusiasts a chance to follow the spirit’s maturation journey without the pressure of selling back to the distillery at a specific time. A refreshing approach in today’s volatile cask market.

English Whisky With Vision

Chris and his team, including the experienced distiller Joan Casals, are creating a product that will stand the test of time. Chris is particularly passionate about the need for high-quality English whisky in the current climate, emphasizing that for English whisky to thrive, it must meet the highest standards. Joan’s experimental nature allows the distillery to push boundaries while maintaining consistency and quality.

Once again, everything is done in-house by a very small team. Chris himself has undertaken various projects during the distillery’s early days. Joan oversees every step of the whisky-making process. The two of them are very hands-on. In fact, if you book a tour, chances are that Chris will be the one showing you around. 

Lancaster itself is steeped in history, and the distillery is becoming an integral part of the local scene. Not only can you enjoy their whiskies, but you can also sample their gin and vodka, available in a variety of flavours, making Lancaster Spirits Co. a versatile stop.

Visit Lancaster Spirits Co.

If you find yourself in Lancaster, make sure to visit Lancaster Spirits Co. and witness the care and dedication that goes into each bottle. Whether you’re sipping gin, vodka, or eagerly awaiting the first single malt release, the distillery offers a warm welcome and a true taste of craft English spirits. And, if you like what you taste, you can sign up for LSCo’s tiered membership programme. 

Big things are on the horizon for this innovative distillery, and it’s clear that Lancaster Spirits Co. is playing a crucial role in the growing wave of English whisky. Cheers to that!

Our very own Phil Dwyer has also visited Lancaster Spirits Co. You can read his take on this fresh distillery here.

Read the full article at Visiting Lancaster Spirits Co.: Crafting Flavour At Scale