After officially opening The Lakes Distillery in 2015, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal returned to see the progress that has been made by the Cumbrian whiskymaker.
Joining co-founders Nigel Mills CBE and Paul Currie, the visit comes after a first for English whisky when The Lakes Single Malt, The Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.4, was named the “World’s Best Single Malt Whisky” at the 2022 World Whiskies Awards.
With a £3.2m investment programme complete, The Princess Royal embarked upon a tour of new developments designed to elevate the visitor experience, triple whisky production capacity, and create a state-of-the-art Whisky Studio to sit at the heart of a modern approach to whiskymaking.
When exploring the recently renovated Whiskymaker’s House, Princess Anne heard from team members about the business’s long-standing sense of responsibility and how it is striving to make a positive impact.
In partnership with the Lake District Foundation, the whisky distillery has launched The Lakes Distillery Water Fund. Offering grant donations to local organisations, charities and community-led groups keen to improve water quality in the National Park, the fund currently supports a healthy mix of six local organisations that aim to tackle pollution protection, habitat creation, and/or invasive species control in the Lake District.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal presented with The Private Reserve
Paying a visit to the purpose-built Whisky Studio, The Princess Royal learned about the impact the laboratory-grade facility has on The Lakes’ entire whiskymaking process. This is where ideas begin, whisky is designed and flavours blended, and the proactive process of élevage is coordinated to elevate the whisky’s flavour throughout maturation.
Upon meeting the distillery’s whiskymaking team, The Princess Royal was presented with an exclusive bottle of a Private Reserve of The Lakes Single Malt which has been maturing at the distillery since the original visit.
