Open to new worlds of inspiration, we constantly seek to push boundaries in the pursuit of flavour creation.

On the journey to design a new sherry-led single malt whisky, Elements was our first true Whiskymaker’s Project.

Originating long before we ever released single malt whisky the project began simply, with a sense of curiosity and a series of questions.

What would happen if we turned the idea of flavour creation in whisky on its head? How would flavour be impacted if our New Make Spirit was designed to suit the casks? And, what if the casks no longer played a supporting role but, instead, became the elements which give flavour, complexity and intensity?

Undertaking forensic research to understand how the maturation process works best in our new distillery, The Elements aren’t a one-off, a special release, or an intriguing diversion. They are the foundation for all of The Lakes’ whiskies. They are the distillery character and the baseline upon which other flavours can be layered.

Elements tells our story in a different way. It aims to move the conversation about whisky’s flavour creation forward by examining the building blocks that create those nuances.

Delving deep into the oak’s treatment, its seasoning and how each variation can impart a very different characteristic style to the whisky, dozens of casks and specifications were used in the original project, with seven core elements identified for Elements, whereby all parameters remained identical; the oak type (American Oak), cask size (500-litre butts), maturing spirit, warehousing conditions and ABV (54%).

From infinite variables, this is your opportunity to take a rare glimpse into the mind of a whiskymaker on a journey to design a new sherry-led single malt whisky.

Explore the flavour, aroma and texture of seven sherried whiskies; Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Palo Cortado, Cream, Pedro Ximenez (PX), and Oloroso. Each of the Elements uses a different sherry wine, each working in a different way, but it is what happens when they are combined in a blend, alongside the infinite variables of possibility, that makes The Lakes Single Malt Whisky.