Lancaster Brewery invests over £1m in new whisky distillery

Sister company of the independent Lancaster Brewery has opened its new ‘Whisky Room,’ a purpose-built distillery and warehouse that has been designed to produce and mature Lancaster’s first single malt whisky.

Designed and constructed over a two-year period, the new 3000-litre copper and steel pot-still christened Constance and an array of associated distilling equipment was installed and commissioned in June 2024. 

Additionally, extensive bespoke cask racking was installed in the building in late May.

A sister company of Lancaster Brewery, the new Whisky Room has been designed and constructed to showcase the production, storage and tasting of whisky with a special area reserved for testing the maturing casks.

Phil Simpson, managing director said: “We’ve invested a seven-figure sum to create this new venture for the Lancaster Spirits Company. We first started planning a whisky business during the Covid shutdown and it has taken a few years to realise our dreams. 

“A real Lancastrian team effort – our sister company, Lancaster Brewery, will brew a special wash, specifically for the whisky distillery. Lancaster Spirits Co. then takes over with the distilling, maturing and bottling of the whisky. Milling, brewing, fermenting, distilling and maturing – all in one place.”

Simpson said he recruited Christopher Pateman to run the commercial aspects of the distillery, who had previously held commercial positions at Annandale and The Lakes distilleries.

Joan Casals has joined as Production Manager to oversee distillery production, having worked at Bankhall Distillery.

“Both Chris and Joan are ambitious, motivated whisky fanatics – they’ll bring both energy and excellence to the business, with a combined total of over 20 years in the whisky industry,” said Simpson.

The Whisky Room opened for production on Monday 8th July 2024, the Lancaster Spirits Co. Cask Collective (private cask purchasers) is also now available and the Founders Reserve (exclusive bottle club) will launch soon.

Lancaster Spirits Company will begin bottling its own whisky in 2027, once the spirit held in casks has aged for the required minimum of three years.