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English Whisky Guild

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English Whisky Guild
AbbreviationEWG
Formation(active: 18 May 2022; 3 years ago (2022-05-18))
TypeMembership organisation
Legal statusNon profit organisation (Limited Company)
PurposePromote and protect English Whisky
HeadquartersRegistered Office
17 Walkergate, Berwick Upon Tweed, TD15 1DJ[1]
OriginsEngland
ProductsEnglish whisky
MembersMembers
27 (50 distilleries)[a]
Associate members 12 [b]
Board members
14[2][3]
Morag Garden [4]
Dan Szor
AffiliationsBritish Distillers Alliance[5]
Websitewww.englishwhiskyguild.com

The English Whisky Guild (EWG) is a membership organisation that promotes and protects English whisky.[6][7]

Purpose and ambition

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Purpose

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The purpose of the English Whisky Guild is to:

  • Promote and protect English Whisky including its diversity and flavour
  • Offer support to producers and consumers
  • Ensure high standards for English whisky across the industry in England [8]

Ambition

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The English Whisky Guild have stated that their primary ambition is to get English whisky recognised globally as a respected choice for whisky drinkers.[9]

Membership

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As of 23 April 2023 The English Whisky Guild consisted of 26 members including:[10]

Current Distillery Members

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No Name of Distillery Established Location Region Joined Founder/New Cite
1. Adnams Plc (Copper House) 2010 Southwold East of England May 18, 2022[11] Founder [12][13]
2. Cooper King Distillery 2009 York Yorkshire and the Humber
3. Ad Gefrin Distillery 2022 Wooler North East
4. Copper Rivet Distillery 2017 Chatham South East
5. Cotswolds Distillery 2014 Stourton West Mislands
6. East London Liquor Co. 2014 London London
7. Henstone Distillery 2017 Welshpool West Midlands
8. Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery
9. The English Distillery 2006 Roundham East of England
10. The Lakes Distillery 2014 Setmurthy North West
11. Fielden 2017 Southwold East of England
12. Wharf Distillery 2015 Towchester East Midlands
13 White Peak Distillery 2018 Ambergate East Midlands
14. Whittaker's Distillery 2019 Harrogate Yorkshire and the Humber
15. Ellers Farm Distillery 2022 Stamford Bridges Yorkshire and the Humber New
16. Elsham Wold Distillery
17. Grasmere Distillery 2024 Grasmere North West
18. Lancaster Spirits Co 2024 Lancaster North West
19. Ludlow Distillery 2014 Craven Arms West Midlands
20. Retribution Distilling Co 2021 Frome South West
21. Spirit of the Downs 2025 Haywards Heath South East
22. Spirit of Manchester Distillery 2022 Manchester North West
23. Ten Hides Diatillery 2024 Melksham South West
24. Trevethan Distillery 2023 Plymouth South West
25. Wight Whisky 2024 Isle of Wight South East
26. West Midlands Distillery 2021 Rowley Rigis West Midlands
27. Witchmark

Distilliery

2024 Salisbury South West

Current Associate Members

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No Name of Distillery Cite
1. Briggs of Burton [13]
2. Catalyst Bottle ERP
3. Close Brothers
4. Contagious
5. Crisp Malt
6. Forsyths
7. Howden
8. Lallemand
9. Masthouse
10. Simpson Malt Ltd
11. Rankins Brothers and Sons
12. Urban Bar

The first meeting of the English Whisky Guild was on 18 June 2021.

Former Members

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• Halewood Artisan Spirits

• Yarm Distillery[13]

When the English Whisky Guild applied to DEFRA for a Geographical Indication, Circumstance Distillery felt the Geographical Indication (as submitted in February 2022) would act as a barrier to entry for new distilleries and discourage innovation within the industry.[14] After failing to convince the Guild to alter the application Circumstance Distillery left the organisation in March 2022.

Recognition

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In February 2022, the English Whisky Guild applied for a geographical Indication to put into law the definition of English Whisky.[15]

In February 2025, the English whisky geographical indication entered the consultation phase.[16]

Annual report

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On 14 June 2024 the English Whisky Guild released its first report praising the progress that English whisky has made and the unique tapestry of distilleries. The report covers a various numbers of areas including statistical analysis of English whisky, interviews with whisky produces, profiles of whisky distilleries and associate members and think pieces that cover the process of the English whisky geographical indication.[6]

English whisky Week

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Main article: English Whisky Week

On 11 April 2025 the English Whisky Guild launched the inaugural English whisky week. The event is hosted by the and takes place from the 19–27 April. It brings together distillers and help to educate the public about English whisky and includes whisky tasting, masterclasses, distillery tours, exclusive events and community engagements.[17][18]

See also

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Geographical Indication

EWG Reports

References

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  1. ^ LURSOFT (2024-02-22). "THE ENGLISH WHISKY GUILD | British companies". Lursoft. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  2. ^ De Almeida, Andre (October 4, 2025). "The English Whisky Guild's 2025 Annual Review". Inside the Cask.
  3. ^ "English Whisky Guild". Briggs. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  4. ^ Brooker, Alice (May 17, 2022). "English Whisky Guild appoints CEO as industry forecast to possess over £1bn in maturing stock". Worshipful Company of Distillers.
  5. ^ "Associate Members". grassytest. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  6. ^ a b "English Whisky Guild's first annual report praises category's". www.whiskymag.com. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  7. ^ de Almeida, Andre (May 18, 2022). "Distilleries collaborate to launch the English Whisky Guild". Inside the Cask.
  8. ^ Whymark, Bethany (May 19, 2022). "Distilleries team up to launch English Whisky Guild". The Drinks Report.
  9. ^ CP (2023-04-28). "English whisky witnessing unprecedented growth with 49 active distilleries now across England". Conservative Post. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  10. ^ "The English Whisky Guild nearing final stages in GI application". 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  11. ^ "English Whisky Guild founded by 15 of the nation's distilleries". whiskymag.com. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  12. ^ "The English Whisky Map - 6th Edition". Inside the Cask. 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  13. ^ a b c "EWG Second Annual Report". player.flipsnack.com. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  14. ^ Britner, Lucy (2022-09-08). "Tension mounts over English whisky GI proposal - Drinks Retailing". Drinks Retailing - Championing the off-trade since 1863. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  15. ^ Malczewski, Kate (February 25, 2022). "Producers seek legal definition for English whisky". The Spirits Business.
  16. ^ Carruthers, Nicola (2025-02-19). "English whisky nears GI status". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  17. ^ Simmons, Ted (2025-04-11). "English Whisky Week debuts". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  18. ^ "Welcome to English Whisky Week". English Whisky Week. Retrieved 2025-04-11.

Footnotes

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  1. ^ The English whisky Guild features on page 65
  2. ^ The EWG is split into two tiers EWG members and associate members
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