ELEMENTS
Welcome
To your glimpse into the mind of a whiskymaker
Our first and original Whiskymaker's Project is the result of a forensic examination of every facet of what a sherry cask could be. At the establishment of The Lakes Distillery, the whiskymaker wanted to create a visionary style of sherry matured whisky, who leads with oak to create flavour.
In the making
Use the link to the podcast below to listen to your exclusive "Behind the scenes" interview with Dhavall Gandhi. Here, Dhavall discusses the background behind this project, providing exclusive insight into the mind of a whiskymaker whol leads with oak to create flavour.
Sherry
THE ELEMENTS
"I'd always loved sherry... the more I got to understand how elegant and nuanced sherry is, the more it became apparent that the whisky world hadn't tapped into its full potential."
Dhavall Gandhi
Lakes Whiskymaker
Exploring the Elements
The intent for Elements is that it not only provides education and understanding, but also the opportunity for the whisky enthusiast to experience, with the aid of a reference library and booklet, the specific characters derived from each cask. Together we enter a world beyond just taste, but also aroma, texture and the functional role that each Element has to play when used as a blending component in the formation of a sherry-led single malt whisky.
The result? NOT a series of finished whiskies, but an understanding of the role each Element plays in our whisky philosophy. Portrayed as magnificent oak trees and illustrated to reflect their contribution toward designing a new single malt, Elements is a study of sherry-seasoned casks and an insight into the process and whiskymaking philosophy at The Lakes.
"Sherry offers a vast array of flavours, nuances and textures that are truly amazing. This project was to understand and unlock what possibilities a sherry cask can give."
Dhavall Gandhi
Lakes Whiskymaker
01
Fino
Adding the breadth and space to allow other components to breathe, Fino offers a boundary rather than defined flavours and aromas, hence the widespread watercolour wash.
02
Manzanilla
Adding an aromatic lift and delicate nuances with hints of salinity, Manzanilla is represented by a thin crisp defined line, with texture.
03
Amontadillo
Heavier and fleshy, with a more oily texture, Amontillado opens up a range of possibilities for the blend, shown through detailed shades of smooth texture and rounded edges.
04
Palo Cortado
A flavour bridge to the other Elements, Palo Cortado creates intensity, structure, and complexity as a foundation skeleton, requiring other casks to bring it to life. Demonstrated as a hard base, with thick broad strokes.
05
Cream
An enabler, similar to Fino but holding everything in place, Cream Sherry gives a frame and outline, but is not widespread like Fino. It is more akin to a soft, sweet boundary within which to play.
06
PX
Widely used in the whisky industry, rather than the main ingredient, PX 'seasons' the blend and in doing so opens up deep depths of texture to the mouthfeel.
07
Oloroso
Providing the core pillars of our blend’s structure, Oloroso is not as thick and heavy as PX, and not as surgically precise as Manzanilla. It is the backbone of our blends, displayed with more structure than some of the other, more fleshy sherries.
Every single day as a whisky maker is a day you learn. We are an apprentice in a craft that no one ever becomes a master.
The Lakes Philosophy
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© The Lakes Distillery, 2024
UK Registered Office: Broughton House, 6-8 Sackville Street, London W1S 3DG.
US Registered Office: The Lakes Distillery Company USA Inc, 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19801.
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Company Registration Number: 07769363