A sustainable journey

Making positive change is not a trend or a race; it is a perpetual way of thinking.

With our roots in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we have been morally-bound to embrace, nurture and protect the way of life in our beautiful Lake District home from the very beginning.

In unison, our vision to create one of the most flavourful sherry-led whiskies in the world requires an unwavering commitment to quality, and using the best possible materials and whiskymaking techniques.

At The Lakes, one of our greatest challenges is to continue making ethical choices without a detrimental effect on the quality of our spirits.

Environmentally friendly renovation

During the painstaking renovation to transform an old Victorian model dairy farm into a state-of-the-art whisky distillery, 100% of the materials from the original site were reused, with bricks numbered so they could be repositioned back into their original location.

Circular production

Circular initiatives are in operation throughout our whiskymaking process to minimise waste.

  • Discarded draff is gifted to local farmers to feed their cattle.
  • After fermentation, pot ales and spent lees are re-used to enrich agricultural land across The Lake District. 
  • Extracted during distillation, the feints and low wines are re-distilled.

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

Vincent Van Gogh

Protecting the environment

Working toward a common goal, we partnered with the Lake District Foundation in 2021 to offer an annual programme of grants to environmentally focused charities, local groups and community interest companies.

The Lakes Distillery Water Fund supports those aligned with our ambition to have a positive impact on climate action, improve clean water and sanitation, and enhance life below water and on land in the Lake District National Park.

Responsible consumption

Being a responsible creator also means being a champion of responsible consumption.

We are aware that, for some, the harmful use of alcohol is a major obstacle to their development and personal growth. At The Lakes, our spirits are crafted with meticulous attention to detail and our unrelenting focus on flavour creation means they are designed to create a moment or complement a special occasion. To be enjoyed responsibly.

Our philosophy is to encourage good health and wellbeing through responsible alcohol consumption and better education, helping to reduce alcohol-related harm and allow people to make healthier choices about their drinking.

DrinkAware.co.uk