EXPLORING FIELDEN DISTILLERY: A NEW CHAPTER IN ENGLISH WHISKY

English whisky has been carving out its own unique identity in recent years, with distilleries pushing boundaries in both innovation and tradition. Fielden Whisky, an exciting new player in this space, has already captured the attention of whisky enthusiasts with its flagship Fielden Rye and its intriguing Fielden Hedgerow Rye. Distilled at The Oxford Artisan Distillery, these whiskies are a testament to careful craftsmanship and thoughtful maturation, showcasing a distinctively English take on rye whisky. Below, we explore the impressions from some of the whisky community’s most respected voices.

Fielden Rye

@drams_and_dreams

Colour: Caramel – Gold

Nose: Soft and Rounded – Dusty – Caramel – Subtle Rye spice

Palate: Mild – Soft – Spice – Caramel – Well balanced and well rounded.

Mouth Feel: Soft – Oily – I like this one a lot.

Finish: Spice – Not overpowering – Medium finish

Thoughts: “Coming in at 48% you might think that this would pack a punch, but no. Also, being a Rye Whisky, you could expect it to run a little hot, but again no. What Fielden has done is produce an excellent Rye Whisky that is easy and a pleasure to drink. So far, this is my favourite, but let’s see what tomorrow brings with the final sample. Again, Fielden has done things right being NCF, NAC (I believe), and bottled at a respectable 48% vol. Also, I must thank @whiskybrokersassociates for the opportunity to try these lovely whiskies.”

@wow_whisky

“Very lucky to receive these Fielden Whisky samples – huge thank you to @whiskybrokersassociates for the samples! The sun was out, so it felt like the perfect time to try them, and I have to say, I’m pleasantly surprised. I don’t usually go for rye whisky, but each of these has its own unique character.

𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝘆𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘆 – Floral and fruity on the nose, with wild berries. The palate is smooth and layered with caramel, toasted hazelnut, and buttery pastry, finishing with gentle spice and fresh grain notes.”

@thedrambler

“@whiskybrokersassociates sent out some samples from @fieldenwhisky to try before sharing some thoughts. I received a care package with the core Fielden Rye, and the Hedgerow and 2019 Harvest limited editions. I haven’t had much exposure to rye whisky or English whisky for that matter, so this was very much an opportunity to explore new territory.

I began my journey with the Fielden Rye, the flagship expression, to get a feel for what the distillery was trying to offer. There were notes of dark chocolate and cherry, then the expected herbal notes but in the guise of Fentimans Curiosity Cola. The palate was similar with chocolatey notes, coffee beans, and cherries. A subtle liquorice and menthol reminding you of the grain used to produce this spirit.”

Fielden Hedgerow Rye

@singlemaltrussel

Category: #RyeWhisky
Region: England
Mash Bill: 70% Rye, 20% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
Distillery: #TheOxfordArtisanDistillery
Series: Fieldnotes
Bottled: 2024
Cask(s): 50% Used American Oak, 25% Sauternes, 25% Vintage Port (ex-Champagne)
ABV: 46.1 % Vol.

Nose: Cookie dough and Crème brûlée with a floral edge of bramble flowers, apple blossom, and rosehip. There’s a citric undercurrent of blood orange marmalade and lemon oil, while the wood is earthy teak and dusty nutmeg.

Palate: Milk chocolate molasses chips and snickerdoodles, fruity dollops of mixed berry and plum conserve dropped into the fanciest creamy vanilla oatmeal sprinkled with orange zest and dark sugars.

Finish: Herbal cardamom, chilli oil, and some fine, sandy cinnamon tannins in a reduction of Lipton peach iced tea. Some grain character remains as toasted seeded rye bread.

Notes: “Rounded, well-balanced, and a little quirky. Personally, I think a slightly higher ABV would’ve been great, but as not everyone is drinking cask strength whisky several times a week, it is probably right in the sweet spot where the more casual enjoyers can connect without the fear of burning, and the more hardcore enthusiasts won’t feel too cheated in terms of mouthfeel and intensity.

There is more of a delicate and floral character to this than in my previous encounters, but it is everything I have come to expect from the higher end of the TOAD (and now Fielden) roster.

I’m again impressed with the development of the spirit character, but in this instance, I find myself thinking about the wood influence and how well balanced it is against not only the spirit but also against the other casks. It’s a rare whisky where I can point to each note and go “Oh! That’s definitely from that.”

I really look forward to what Whiskymaker Francisco Rosa and the team will come up with in their new HQ, but I am still sad to see the end of this stuff produced in Oxford on the old setup.”

Our Thoughts

Fielden Rye and Fielden Hedgerow Rye represent the next chapter of English whisky, showcasing innovation, balance, and remarkable craftsmanship. With the Fielden Rye offering an accessible yet complex profile and the Fielden Hedgerow Rye introducing intriguing cask influence and layered depth, these whiskies have made a lasting impression on those lucky enough to sample them.

As these reviews highlight, Fielden is creating whiskies that are not only unique but also challenging expectations of what English rye whisky can be. Whether you are an avid rye whisky drinker or new to the category, these releases are certainly worth seeking out.