English distillery Copper Rivet has released the first of its Masthouse Single Malt expressions. 

Masthouse is a 500ml bottle at 45% ABV after pot still distillation then maturation in ex-bourbon and virgin American white oak barrels. 

Future releases will include column malt and grain bottlings. 

“We’re obsessive about creating beautiful, accessible spirits for people’s enjoyment and the way we’ve built our whisky distillery reflects that,” Copper Rivet co-founder Stephen Russell told the Spirit Business.

“We’re not in Scotland, so we have some flexibility in the process. Among the most significant differences between Scotch and English whisky is that England’s whisky distillers are not bound to using only certain types of casks and stills. 

“So we have a big opportunity to be creative and innovative in the way we bring flavour through. Also, let’s not forget that the weather conditions in Kent and Scotland differ significantly – for example, Kent’s climate is much warmer and drier.” 

Tasting Notes: 

Green apple and ginger biscuit, tropical fruits and floral mid-notes, toasted oak, chocolate orange on the palate, finished with malt & white pepper 

Masthouse Single Malt English Whisky uses 100% Belgravia barley grown in fields within 20 miles of the home distillery, Dockside in Chatham, Kent.

Sourcing produce locally helps us control the quality and consistency of every drop. Masthouse is also made to the exacting standards set out in the company’s Invicta Charter. 

“Every bottle clearly details the grain variety we use, the name of the field in which the grain was grown and the barrel numbers from which the spirit was taken,” said Russell. 

Masthouse Whisky pre-orders can be made via the Copper Rivet online shop shipping at RRP £45 (US$59) per 500ml bottle. Shipping is expected to commence in December just prior to Christmas.