THE LAKES SIGNATURE SINGLE MALT REVIEW

The Lakes Signature Single Malt is a bold expression of what modern English whisky can achieve. It carries depth, character and confidence, representing the culmination of years of careful craftsmanship at The Lakes Distillery. Rich, sherry-led and beautifully balanced, it captures both tradition and innovation in a single bottle.

Background and Style

Produced in the heart of the Lake District, The Lakes Distillery has built its reputation on patience, precision and artistry. Signature is the result of this philosophy, drawing inspiration from winemaking methods that focus on continuous maturation and cask management. Matured in a blend of European and American oak casks seasoned with Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez, and bottled at 47% without chill filtration or added colour, it delivers a whisky that feels genuine and refined.

Nose

The aroma opens with polished oak and soft leather before revealing layers of dried fruit. Raisins, figs and dates unfold with notes of dark chocolate, toasted nuts and orange peel. There is warmth and richness, but also restraint, with the sherry influence carefully balanced by gentle spice and oak. The nose alone invites you to slow down and savour what’s to come.

Palate

The first sip is full and textured, coating the tongue with treacle, sultanas and baked apple. Vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon weave through the sweetness, joined by a bright touch of citrus that lifts the heavier tones. The mouthfeel is luxurious, silky and weighty, showing off the distillery’s deliberate approach to cask selection. It carries the familiar depth of a classic sherry-cask whisky but introduces a fresher, more contemporary English character.

Finish

The finish is long and elegant with lingering notes of oak, spice and dark fruit. Soft chocolate and a trace of orange zest remain as the final impression, leaving warmth and satisfaction without heaviness. It closes the experience gracefully, proof of a whisky built on balance rather than power.

Overall Impression

The Lakes Signature Single Malt has a clear identity of its own. It is expressive, layered and assured, standing proudly alongside established Scottish malts while offering something different. The quality of cask management is obvious, and the distillery’s pursuit of complexity pays off in every sip. It feels modern yet timeless, bold yet polished.