The English Whisky Co.
The English Whisky Co.
St. George’s Distillery, Harling Road, Roudham,
Norwich, NR16 2QW.
Tel: 01953 717939.
Visit The English Whisky Co Website.
The first and only registered whisky distillery in England, St. George’s Distillery became operational in December 2006. Originally a ‘retirement project’ for Farmer James Nelstrop, the objective was to produce excellent quality whisky that will be able to compete with some of the finest whiskies currently on the market.
Though whisky production stopped in England over 100 years ago, the barley grown in Norfolk and the Breckland water are prefect for producing excellent quality whisky. Forsyths of Rothes, who have been servicing the whisky industry since the late 1800’s, built the equipment in the distillery, including the beautiful copper stills. St. George’s was also fortunate enough to have award-winning master distiller Iain Henderson – formerly Manager at the Laphroaig Distillery and who has assisted in the set up of several successful distilleries – overseeing the initial production.
The first batch of whisky was bottled in December 2009, and during 2010 the distillery bottled an exclusive peaty number that was specially distilled by Iain. The distillery also plans to experiment with sherry and Madeira casks and this year there will be a superb English whisky for the Olympic games.
Tours of the distillery offer the chance to see how the striking copper stills produce the clear, sweet spirit that is then stored in casks for at least three years before being bottled.
The distillery and visitor centre lie just off the B1111 at Roudham amongst a grove of cricket bat willows. In addition to the fascinating distillery, shop and coffee shop, there is extensive ‘green’ space to walk and picnic or to simply sit and reflect on the fact that history is being made along with whisky, as it is once again produced in England.
Open 7 days a week 10am-5.30pm.
Tour times 10am-4pm on the hour.
Shop & café open 10am-5.30pm.
Admission to the distillery, shop & café is FREE. For tour pricing, see below.
Coach parties welcome by appointment. Ample parking available.
Tour Information:
St George’s Tour.
The ‘standard’ tour. This tour usually runs every hour on the hour from 10am til 4pm, 7 days per week.
The tour starts with a video whilst you have a coffee. You are then collected by a guide and given a tour of the distilling floor and casking room, having the process explained along the way. At the end of the tour, you have the chance to sample some whiskies, spirits and liqueurs.
£5 per person, £2 under 18.
Groups of 10 or more need to pre book a tour to avoid disappointment:
£4.50 each for bookings of 10-40 people
£4.25 each for bookings of 40+ peopleThe World Whisky Tour – A Tasting Tour.
Firstly you will do the St. George’s tour with the distillery’s Chief Whisky Maker. He will then take you on to have an hour of tastings of different whiskies from different parts of the world. This is not for the faint hearted, and we recommend you have a driver booked. You don’t have to drink everything you taste, (there will be spitoons) – but most people do!
£20 per person.
This tour normally runs on a Saturday afternoon – once a month. Please ring Sarah 01953 717939 to find out the dates and book yourself a place.
Evening Tours by arrangement.
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