The Lakes : Signature

Tasting Notes and Recommendations for The Lakes Signature

Tasting

Appearance
A natural, deep hue ranging from rich ruby to warm auburn brown, reflecting its maturation in sherry casks.

Nose
Rich and complex, revealing a core dominated by dried fruits (raisins, figs, dates, glacé cherries), dark chocolate and nuts (pecan, Brazil nut). Elegant notes of polished oak, soft leather and a subtle touch of orange zest round out this bouquet.

Palate
Full, thick and velvety. Flavours of dried fruit and molasses intertwine with stewed orchard fruits, dark chocolate and warm baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg). A hint of citrus brings a welcome freshness, perfectly balancing the whole before a long, elegant and lingering finish.

Food pairings and tasting moments

Designed to be a benchmark whisky, it is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, in a tulip or Glencairn glass. Its aromatic richness makes it an excellent after-dinner companion. It pairs naturally with chocolate desserts, dried fruit pastries or well-matured cheeses.

Mixology

Thanks to its rich, balanced profile, this single malt excels in mixology. It elevates sophisticated cocktails such as the Nocturne (a decadent take on the Old Fashioned with cherry liqueur and chocolate bitters), the Fine Line (a complex highball combining Fino sherry and cold brew coffee) or the Eclipse (a fruity reinterpretation of the Whisky Sour with verjus and crème de cassis).

A Richly Complex English Whisky from The Lakes

The Lakes Distillery: excellence at the heart of the Lake District

Legally founded in 2011 by Paul Currie, The Lakes Distillery began distilling in 2014 within a renovated Victorian-era farmhouse, located near Bassenthwaite Lake in the county of Cumbria. Equipped with two copper stills dedicated to single malt production, the distillery stands out for its innovative approach to maturation, inspired by the art of ageing wine and cognac. While drawing on the historic expertise of Scotch whisky, The Lakes proudly asserts a distinctly English and modern identity. Acquired in 2024 by the Nyetimber group, its current owner under the leadership of Eric Heerema, the estate aims to become a world reference in luxury spirits. Guided by renowned technical figures, the house has specialised in complex sherry cask maturations.

Signature: the culmination of the house style

Signature is the distillery's very first permanent single malt. Crafted from 100% British malted barley and distilled at a low temperature in a pot still, this English Whisky embodies the quintessence of the House style. The result of over a decade of aromatic exploration led by whiskymaker Sarah Burgess, it relies on a dynamic ageing method known as the art of ageing.

Maturation takes place exclusively in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, selected from among the finest European and American oaks. This active management of the interaction between the spirit, the wood and the air allows for the shaping of a remarkably complex aromatic profile without relying on an age statement. Designed to eventually represent the majority of the distillery's production, this non-chill-filtered single malt whisky stands out as the new benchmark, combining the opulence of dried fruit with exceptional drinkability.