Everything You Need to Know About Whisky- From Norfolk
Everything You Need to Know About Whisky- From Norfolk
by Katie Thompson
When you think about whisky, you probably conjure images of rugged Scottish landscapes, placid lochs and roaring fires. So, what if we told you that England’s first registered whisky distillery for 100 years is none other than Norfolk’s own The English Distillery?
This is where renowned barley fields grow under expansive blue skies and award-winning flavours mature in warmer climes.
Here, Marketing Director Katy Nelstrop tells us everything we need to know!
Discover everything that goes into a bottle of The English Distillery’s award-winning whisky
Just a short journey from Norwich along the A11 and it’s not long until you’re winding down country lanes, swathes of fields stretching out around you, home to some of the best malting barley in the country.
Roudham (30 minutes’ drive from our fine city) is home to The English Distillery– the country’s first registered whisky distillery for 100 years. First operating in 2006, 2025 marked 18 years of their first single malt. (You can still treat yourself to a bottle of The English Chapter 18.) Since then, “the distillery has become a globally recognised producer of world class single malt whiskies, welcoming 80,000 visitors per year as a tourist destination”.
Inspired by a life of farming, Founder James Nelstrop knew the benefits of our arable Norfolk landscape. “Norfolk is actually an ideal place for England’s first registered whisky distillery”, Katy says, “East Anglia grows a huge amount of top-quality malting barley, [so] all the big maltsters are also in our patch. The distillery also sits above the Breckland Aquifer, England’s largest store of clean fresh water, ideal for whisky production.” (The water is used as both an ingredient and throughout the distilling process, for example during cooling.)
The English Distillery’s Roudham location is ideal for making the most of Norfolk’s environment- and its barley!
As well as ensuring The English Distillery’s main ingredient remains in ample supply, using local barley also reduces food miles, prioritising sustainability, an aspect important to the business. (They also use solar panels to reduce carbon emissions, a closed seal loop to reduce water loss, and share spent grains and spent lees with local farmers as cattle feed and fertiliser.) As is being family-run.
“Whisky can take 50 years to mature, so not a fast turnaround! As a family, we are prepared to wait a generation or two before a whisky is ready.”
Norfolk’s environment is not only good for growing barley, but for creating a unique flavour, too- particularly for the casks in which the whisky is matured. “Our warm, dry weather aids the maturation process. The higher temperatures here, compared to other regions like Scotland, result in a whisky maturing faster. The downside is the Angel’s Share (the amount of liquid lost to evaporation) is far higher.”
Speaking of flavour, The English Distillery isn’t unfamiliar with winning an award or two. Their English Sherry Cask was awarded World’s Best Single Malt in 2024 and the English Gently Smoked Sherry Hogshead the World’s Best Single Malt (Small Batch) in 2026.
“The most important outcome [from an award] for me is recognition for my team and the amazing work they do.”, says Katy, “To create the World’s Best Single Malts not once, but twice, is extraordinary for any distillery; for a small, family-owned one in Norfolk, it’s a huge testament to the skill of our team.”
Their other award-winning bottles include the popular Norfolk Nog (a “delicious and dangerously moreish whisky cream”) and Norfolk PX sherry. Katy suggests serving the “rich and sweet” PX chilled or as an alternative to port or dessert wine.
The English Sherry Cask: World’s Best Single Malt in 2024
For any whisky sceptics out there, don’t feel the pressure to drink whisky neat. When you’re trying this tipple for the first time, don’t by shy in adding water (water to whisky is what tonic is to gin). Or for a tempting summery take, mix yourself a whisky-based cocktail. Katy recommends “our Bramble Liqueur with some fizz on top; for those who have a few more ingredients at home, it is hard to beat a whisky sour. Or I’ll also use our whisky in a Mojito instead of rum.”
If you want to bag yourself a bottle of The English Distillery’s whisky, you’ll find it stocked in 30 countries worldwide and across the UK. If you’re visiting Norfolk? Pop into Jarrolds, Norfolk Food Hall and, of course, the distillery’s own shop (where you’re likely to go home with other Norfolk-made goodies)!
Whilst you’re here, make the most of your visit to the beautiful site- you can even stroll along a winding river running through seven acres of meadows. It would be rude not to experience a distillery tour (starting from £25 for 1 hour) and see behind the scenes for yourself.
“Our tours all start with a look round the distillery and our Bond 1 warehouse. You get insight into how whisky is made and matured, along with some amazing aromas from the casks.” The next stage is usually a tasting- so make sure you’ve got a designated driver!
Step inside Bond 1 warehouse on a distillery tour
Why not book a tour that includes a unique experience? Katy’s favourite is ‘Create Your Own’, where you spend an hour “measuring and mixing whiskies to create your own perfect blend of single malts” in their Whisky Academy. Plus, you get to take your bottle home with you!
Then end your visit on a high and stop by bistro The Grain Kitchen for an elevated lunch (or mouthwatering breakfast beforehand). We suggest indulging in a selection of sharing plates, such as creamy mozzarella arancini, fluffy truffle fries, zingy fish tacos and fresh bruschetta.
And what’s next for The English Distillery? “We have some big plans for later in 2026 but they’re still top secret, so you will have to wait and see.” Exciting!
The English Distillery is open Monday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm. Discover their whiskies, tours, events and more via their website.
