Paul Currie, son of the founder of the Arran Distillery on the Isle of Arran in Scotland, with a long experience in the world of Scotch Whiskey, decided to invest again to create a new production reality: in 2010 he bought a farm from 1860, now derelict, in the evocative area of ​​“The Lake District” National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site and a major center of British domestic tourism. After four years of relentless work, in 2014 the farm was transformed into a modern and functional distillery, which is presented to the public on December 15th.

Production, limited to less than 1,000,000 liters per year, follows strict quality criteria, right from the selection of the raw materials. The barley, of different varieties, comes entirely from fields in Yorkshire, and the very pure and freezing water of the Lake District National Park is perfect for whiskey production. However, the innovative drive brought by the Whiskeymaker Dhavall Ghandi focuses above all on the fermentation phase: inspired by the perfume industry, in which the ingredients are chosen based on a pyramid of aromas, Ghandi uses two different strains of yeasts, alternating during the week and then joined before stuffing. The first wash brings the 'high notes' of the new make, while the second brings the 'low' ones; fermentations last up to 96 hours. The phase of discontinuous distillation in pot still is very slow, in order to obtain a robust and fruity new make, which also contributes to a very narrow cut.

80% of the barrels used for aging Lakes whiskey is made up of ex-Sherry casks, mostly 500l butts of European oak. Most of the barrels are ex-Oloroso, but there is no shortage of experiments, such as American and French oak barrels seasoned with Sherry Pedro Ximenez, Cream and Fino. Each of these barrels offers a unique profile, a variation of theme, color, aroma: a range of ingredients including Whiskeymaker Dhavall Ghandi can choose, according to an approach that he himself defines "holistic", to always create something new, which in different ways it can reflect the spirit of the place and of the people involved in the production. All whiskey barrels selected by Ghandi spend at least a year in blending vats, so that they can blend perfectly and in harmony: this creates depth and balance, key elements in the conception of Lakes whiskey.