Cotswolds English Whisky Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

[@rikmcrae]

Cotswold distillery is great. I love their Sherry cask expression.

[@danieljrs507]

I bought a bottle of this in Bourton on the Water with my partner a few months back. I’m in love with this whisky.

[@CristiNeagu]

I just love this distillery. Their whisky is really nice, but their gin is outstanding. The London Dry is just spectacular with its characteristic cloudiness when adding tonic, and the Old Tom is simply delicious. In terms of their whisky, the Founder's Choice is really nice, as well as their Sherry Oak. They also do a slightly peated whisky by using Laphroaig casks. And other than the Signature you have here, all of their other variants are cask strength, which is really nice. They also have special variants you can only find at their distillery shop. If you're in the area, I really recommend booking a tour. It's really cheap and you get to try absolutely all of their whiskeys and gins. Really good value for money.

[@Christian3174]

Their gin is top notch I must agree

[@adamcroft80]

I’m currently sipping on their cask strength 7yr old str distillery exclusive. For me personally they are hands down one of the best distilleries out there. Yes they are a relatively new whiskey company but literally everything they do is amazing.

[@Urban-bourbon]

I had this bottle brought over to USA by relatives living in England. I agree with most of your review. Worth having.

[@themightyguan]

I have a bottle of this and I like it, one of the only whiskys that I prefer adding a couple drops of water. Certainly the best English whisky out there IMO. Great video!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Agree! Thanks for watching

[@146matt]

I tried this in my local, very delicious. My first thought was that it was almost bourbon in style, I'd like to try it again. 👍

[@JeffWhisky]

I ADORE this whisky! Great content as always Phil. If you ever get chance to try the Cotswold Founders Reserve it is this poured with gold. One of the best whiskies of 2021 for me. Cheers!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh I would love to try that! Cheers Jeff!

[@WhiskeyStraightAl]

Cotswolds is doing some fantastic things. I've had a couple of offerings and been really impressed, particularly by the amazing Founder's Choice. Cheers Phil - great production, as usual.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Cheers Al! Are you based in Northern Ireland?

[@Thomas-yo8kt]

To add to your question on availability, here in Norway we have only one store to by alcohol from. Except from beer, cider and other products under a certain percentage. I found the Cotswolds whiskey with ease on their online shop. And thanks to you I added it to my wishlist. I will certainly try it when I have a chance, thank you so much for the tip!

[@WhiskyRiffs]

Love your always evolving and improving video structure for reviews. Great job, Phil! My favorite place to shop for Scotch, The Whisky Shop in San Francisco, offers three Cotswolds expressions: Odyssey Barley 2014, Odyssey Barley 2015, and Founder’s Choice at $60 USD for the first two and $75 for the 60.5% cask strength STR expression. I’m tempted to start with the latter… really tempted after your review. Your thoughts on my leaning?

[@jonathancox2537]

I’m half way thru my cotswolds barley at the moment and it’s fantastic, it’s a beautiful easy drinking whisky with everything going for it , in fact I’m going to pour myself a dram right now 👍

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Cheers Jonathan! Yeah it baffles me how good it is for such a young whisky. No sharp new make harshness. So easy to drink

[@jonathancox2537]

@@FirstPhilWhisky I just purchased a 2nd bottle , now your review is out I fear a stampede 😂 I’ve been to the cotswolds afew times , it’s beautiful. I’m yet to try the sherry cask so that’s another trip back to my favourite whisky shop , what a chore 👍 great job by the way on the whisky channel,

[@rishik7476]

Dude..just love your channel..it's informative, cool & free flowing!! Keep it up

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Rishi!

[@miklosmoradachannel]

Was lucky to be able to score the Founder's Reserve Cask Strength (60.5% abv). It is *chef's kiss*. Great review again Phil. Cheers!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Ah so keen to try that. Thanks Miklos!

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

Cant go wrong with a Cotswold! Great review as always Phil!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

So good! Cheers mate!

[@paulsmith3841]

Been a big fan since they released the 3yo at Whisky festival, London a few years back. The owner and staff are fab. Have tried the range regularly since and visited the distillery a couple of times. A highly recommended day out if you are not too far from the Stratford area. Looking forward to the 10yr old. The non chill filtered gin is also a revelation and one of my favourites

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

I would love to visit one day. The distillery is super promising. Can’t wait to try more versions and bottles. Cheers Paul!

[@Sidmacher]

Great review, but when I did the tour there I don't think they do their own floor maltings but get them from Warminster.

[@melissa7867]

As always, great review and video! Looking forward to trying this whisky…cheers!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Melissa!

[@dribsanddrams]

Haven’t seen a bottle of Cotswolds yet. I’m waiting on delivery of a Raasay and an Ardnamurchan, though. Those are pretty new. Looking forward to getting into them.

[@TheWhiskyBaron]

Definitely try and get yourself a bottle. They put out great stuff!

[@dribsanddrams]

@@TheWhiskyBaron I’ll definitely keep an eye out

[@meorgegoran]

0:07 that noise always reminds me of a Xvart from Baldur's Gate

[@stuartblandford2310]

I love this stuff. I live right in the middle between the Penderyn and Cotswolds distilleries, about an hour or so from both. As you say, for 4 years old you can’t go wrong especially when it’s on offer.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Awesome! That’s great you’re so close. Anything from Penderyn you would recommend?

[@petegowland6201]

@@FirstPhilWhisky the Welsh Gold is the one to go for. The maderia finish is the staple, but worth having a look for the Portwood finish too.

[@petegowland6201]

Must be in a similar area to yourself, Penderyn was my whisky introduction, and I've been to the distillery. Been meaning to go to the Cotswolds one, but last couple of years have been made that a little difficult.

[@BenCove.]

If you can get your hands on a bottle from the Lakes Distillery I would recommend 👍

[@robinmaxwell2111]

An outstanding new distillery with an extraordinary amount of cask expressions already given it is only 8 years old. I think the Best Selling Englisgh Whisky in 2021 and it deserves to be.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Definitely! I’m super impressed for how young they are.

[@davidowen2834]

Good thought though video Phil 👍. Haven’t tried a cotswolds offering yet, I have been hearing good things though. Vin ( no nonsense whisky) is a big cotswolds fan. Slàinte Phil

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks David! Yeah I bought it off the good things I heard from Vin and Roy. Definitely not disappointed

[@AdventurewithDave]

I was literally standing in the same spot that photo you showed was taken the other month! It's an incredible village in the Cotswolds called Castle Combe. Thanks for the great content as always Phil. PS: I've sent you an email, if you get the chance - let me know your thoughts! Cheers, Dave 🥃

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Dave, oh I may of missed it. Cotwolds is so beautiful, it’s a shame I didn’t know about the distillery when I used to live in the UK. Cheers!

[@erich9882]

Excited to give this a try. A local shop near me has this standard single malt and the cask strength founders choice

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Awesome, apparently that’s good too

[@sunyboy333]

Haven't had the chance to try this but as far as new distilleries go I was really impressed by Ardnamurchan.

[@Discotekh_Dynasty]

Bought this for my Scottish granddad to wind him up, he did end up drinking it

[@nvdlboy]

I enjoy your reviews! Somehow I missed Cotswolds when I was last in the UK; we have limited access to many whiskies here in BC and when I can find some of my preferred ones, the prices are a bit alarming (CDN$145 for a bottle of Arran Sauterne; can't find a 10 year old or Bothy locally). We do have some terrific local single malts, especially by Okanagan Spirits (e.g. Laird of Fintry - various expressions, BRBN, and Rye). If you're ever in Canada, you should look up some of the local whiskies. Cheers.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

I would love to try some Canadian single malts. I spent a couple weeks in Jasper a few years ago. I can’t think of many things better than being in the mountains up there with a good single malt.

[@r8gingbull]

Also tasting "Classic of Islay" and Lagavulin 16, but Classic of islay is a winner

[@robertzaslow1718]

I appreciate the video and the way you go about presenting your findings. Cotswolds is now on my list of bottles to reach for if/when I see it in the shop. Cheers.

[@DayKlight]

yay another video :D, always looking forward to your videos. I have cotswolds on my list for some months now but iam waiting for the time when they will release some older bottles.

[@r8gingbull]

I have the founder's choice with 60,4 alcohol. I have to say, this is a really great whisky

[@timeforadram]

Tried this when back in the UK - keenly priced on a Tesco shelf it was a decent effort. When compared to a good Scotch however I feel it did show up wanting…

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Yeah it definitely won’t beat all scotch, but it’s a lot better than a lot of mundane scotch.

[@VinceW187]

Please remind me, did you already do a breakdown of your scoring? How you would reach a theoretical 100

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

I sort of went over it in my Glencadam 10 video. But that’s a good point, I should go through that.

[@RaduB.]

I would like to try it but it's not available here in Romania... Thanks for the review! Edit: I have to try the Arran 10, though.

[@andrewbutler7681]

I've been (sort of) following Cotswolds since the early days: I got their tasting pack of spirit aged for 1 month, 6 months and 12 months (if I remember correctly) and was impressed enough to pre-order the Inaugural Release when it was old enough to be called whisky. Unfortunately, I think that 'went a bit too Jim Swan' for my liking, but I have enjoyed ones I tasted since and now have a bottle of their Founder's Choice, which I think you should try if you get the chance. Good review (as usual!).

[@DileepB]

Try Penderyn from Wales next.

[@WilliamFielding-m6q]

You didn’t let missals out. It would be a blend if it’s a blend, so if your going it review it please say what it is. You refer to islay whisky, so is it Peeted.

[@DileepB]

List price slightly higher than Arran 10 in the US and currently out of stock at my shop.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Oh that’s not good! Go Arran 10 definitely I reckon

[@kierontreas5971]

Just found this in Melbourne. Thanks Phil :)

[@djnimrod]

Please tell me where you got it from in NZ and what price. keen to give it a go

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Whisky & More, if not there Whisky Galore

[@djnimrod]

@@FirstPhilWhisky thanks Phill, you are a legend.

[@williammarkland8351]

Bought as an instinct buy, being an ex-pat in US. Surprisingly good.

[@pablodiholdo2239]

Excellent review!

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thanks Pablo!

[@laurentsteck6086]

Interestin whisky. I've never heard of it. Thanks for letting us discover it.

[@stevelandwonder4760]

I did just try to post that the barley is malted in Warminster at Britain's oldest maltings and the casks are aged in ex-rum warehousing in Liverpool. Will see if the comment sticks this time.

[@lightplays2181]

Good whiky , good review ))) like.

[@MattParlane]

Sounds like great vulue, considering the bulance of the pullate. Haha sorry buddy, fellow Kiwi whisky lover here, just enjoying hearing the accent, been listening to too many Americans and Scots. 🤣

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Thunks mauuutee! 😂

[@dry509]

Do you like Rye Whiskey…like Bullit?

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

We don’t get a lot of Rye in New Zealand. It doesn’t seem to get exported very much. Hoping to get my hands on at least a few bottles though

[@happrah]

Try Paul John Brilliance or edited from India

[@oguzhan0007]

Maybe a good one, maybe not but it's around €40- 45 in Germany and to be honest it's a bit high for a 4 years whisky. If they really want to sell at this price, it should be in the same league with Ardbeg 10, Arran 10, Deanstone 12, Port Askaig 8, Bunnahabhain 12 or Teeling Single Malt. Because all of them are around 40 and they are really good value whiskies. I don't even count the bourbons that are really tasty for a similar price range. As a result of my first impression, it looks a bit overpriced.

[@brianboru8858]

I’ve wanted to try English whisky for ages considering I’m an Englishman, however I don’t trust our water being very pure 😂 Scotland has much more of a natural landscape. When I went there a couple of years back wild camping, I literally drank from mountain streams, and it was the purest water I’ve ever tasted.

[@brianboru8858]

And for those that think this may sound crazy, the purity of water is what makes scotch the best whisky available. There’s nothing else like it.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

It’s definitely worth trying, but you make a good point about the water. We also have some excellent water in the mountains here in NZ, maybe you should try Cardrona whisky instead.

[@caskstrength7629]

Dutch Whisky also exists.😉

[@roelandbrink1345]

Millstone rye 100 is a great dutch whisky

[@caskstrength7629]

@@roelandbrink1345 Millstone 12 Sherry Cask. 👌

[@Alex-pr6zv]

You can make great whisky anywhere provided you don't cut corners. Be it in Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden, Japan, or England. One day the Chinese will reverse engineer Springbank and release their version of it called Splingbank.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

Very true. Terroir and climate are not as important for whisky as it is with wine. As long as they have good casks and a good still. I would love to try a Chinese single malt! I tried Baiju when I visit there a few years ago. I’m sure they could make great whisky too.

[@abhishekthapa8903]

I am selling this whisky at ship 😁😊

[@joshimitsu96]

The ban on fracking has been lifted in England so water quality will be suspect, its banned in Wales and Scotland and was never a thing in Ireland. Until its banned again its a no for me, sorry.

[@stevenrobertson8329]

Don't be silly !!!!!!

[@triplecap4307]

It's just as likely to be a 3 yo as a 4 yo. Depends on the months distilled and bottled.

[@FirstPhilWhisky]

True that!

[@adamcroft80]

If it’s a 3yr old it’s even more impressive in my opinion. I’ve only had the sherry cask so far but it’s an amazing drink

[@nohandle257]

Just an aside I guess but what the frick is a digestive biscuit? Really. Two cultures separated by a common language I guess or something.

[@HowdyDo42]

its a biscuit (like a cookie, not a scone) thats not overly sweet, and is high in fibre, to aid digestion