Visit the Cotswolds Distillery

Cotswolds Distillery Visitors' Centre. Photo courtesy of Margaret Mather.

‘If you build it, they will come,’ and they have, by their thousands.

Whisky lovers from all over the world descend on a small village called Stourton, near Shipston-on-Stour in the picturesque Cotswold countryside to marvel at, and taste, the delightful whisky and gin.

Driving through the Cotswolds, you can’t help but admire the quaint stone cottages and wonder at the beauty of the honey-coloured stone. As you wind your way along the narrow country roads, you come to the Cotswold Distillery where in 2014, one man, Dan Szor, a native New Yorker, had a dream of building a distillery and using local barley to make English whisky. How that would happen, he had no idea.

Fast forward 11 years and over 200 awards later, and you have a well-respected, award- winning whisky and gin distillery, situated in the picturesque setting of the Cotswolds.

Whisky stills. Photo courtesy of Margaret Mather.

The visitor centre, where tours start from, and tastings take place, is at the heart of the distillery. Enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable staff take time to show you around. The history of the distillery is fascinating. No question is ignored, they are happy to keep you informed at every stage. After the tour, sit and relax in the room where the tasting takes place. It is the epitome of a quintessential English pub with its soft comfy seats, a well-stocked bar and a roaring log fire.

Find out how many grapefruits and oranges are peeled by hand on a monthly basis for the award-winning botanical gin, and where the utilization of the remaining fruit ends up. Most ingredients come from local sources except for the juniper berries. The taste is fresh and wholesome with a hint of lavender.

Ask your guide what names they use for the stills, the answers will not disappoint.

Gin still. Photo courtesy of Margaret Mather.

Don’t miss the new bio-diverse Wetlands Ecological Treatment System. This area helps get rid of the effluent from the whisky making and cuts down on tankers needed to dispose of the waste.

Cotswolds Distillery whisky and gin. Photo courtesy of Margaret Mather.

And finally, The Stills Cafe offers delicious food and freshly brewed coffee.

This is a fascinating day out, one not to be missed. Oh, and don’t forget to ask about the horse, the honey and the hay fever.

You can find out more about the tour, at: www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

Tel: 01608 238533