The Lakes Distillery – Bassenthwaite Lake

Location : Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Keswick

The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite Lake, CA13 9SJ
Tel: 01768 788850

The Lakes Distillery opened in December 2014 on its idyllic rural site near Bassenthwaite, with a Visitor Centre, artisan bar and bistro, and a shop selling distillery products as well as locally produced goods.

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At the Visitor Centre you can find out how the Lakes Malt, Lakes Gin and Lakes Vodka are made, and have a tour of the site including the still room and the distillery’s warehouse where the whisky matures.

Visitors can see a video following the water used for the spirits from the River Derwent as it flows down from Sprinkling Tarn through Keswick into Bassenthwaite Lake and on to the Irish Sea.

The Still Room at The Lakes Distillery — The Lakes Distillery – The Still Room

The distillery is based at a refurbished model farm. The main barn houses the mash house and still house, with unique stills carefully designed to produce the spirits on a small artisan scale. An old cattle shed has been converted into the warehouse, with further cattle sheds being transformed into the shop, bistro and bar.

Tours conclude in the Tasting Room where guests can try the product of the distillery.

The Bistro at The Lakes Distillery — The Lakes Distillery – The Bistro

The Bistro at the Distillery offers good food served in relaxed surroundings. Overseen by nationally renowned chef and restaurateur Terry Laybourne, the casual bar and bistro seats a total of 130 guests both inside and out. The bistro also houses the distillery’s Board Room, a stylish private dining area for 30 people.

The Lakes Distillery Produce

While head whiskymaker Dhavall Gandhi states that “his sole intent is to make a whisky which expresses The Lakes through flavour”, The Lakes Distillery has an extensive range of spirits that they produce, including a range of flavoured gins, vodka, single malt and blended whisky.

The One Blended Whisky

“The One” is a well rounded, characterful blended whisky to suit all occasions. Made from a singular blend of grain and malt Scotch Whiskies.

The Lakes Single Malt Whisky

The Reserve editions of The Lakes Single Malt Whisky are one-off expressions of creative freedom, so once they’re gone, they’re gone!

The Lakes Classic Gin

The Lakes Gin is a classic English gin with vibrant notes of juniper, cracked black pepper and orange peel, and taking inspiration from the Lake District National Park.

The Lakes Pink Grapefruit Gin

The Lakes Pink Grapefruit Gin is bursting with citrus and zesty pink grapefruit flavour while meeting the resounding juniper notes of The Lakes Gin.

The Lakes Vodka

Winner of the World’s Best Vodka at the 2019 World Vodka Awards, The Lakes Vodka is an ultra-smooth English vodka made with the finest British wheat for a more rounded flavour.

The Lakes Liqueurs

The Lakes Distillery also produces a range of deluxe liqueurs, including The Lakes Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur, The Lakes Elderflower Gin Liqueur, and a Rhubarb and Rosehip Gin Liqueur.

The Lakes Distillery is open every day except Christmas Day. Standard tours will be priced at £18 for adults and £10 for 12-17 year olds accompanied by an adult. Bespoke tours hosted by the management team are available on request.