The English Whisky Guild (EWG) is a membership organisation that promotes and protects English whisky.[1][2]
Purpose and ambition
Purpose
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 [7]
Ambition
The English Whisky Guild have stated that their primary ambition is to get English whisky recognised globally as a respected choice for whisky drinkers.[8]
Membership
The first meeting of the English Whisky Guild was on 18 June 2021.
Founding distilleries
- Adnams Southwold
- Bimber Distillery
- Circumstance Distillery[b]
- Cooper King Distillery
- Copper Rivet Distillery
- Cotswolds Distillery
- East London Liquor Co.
- Henstone Distillery
- Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery
- The English Whisky Co.
- The Lakes Distillery
- The Oxford Artisan Distillery
- Wharf Distillery
- White Peak Distillery
- Whittaker's Distillery
New Members
As of 23 April 2023 The English Whisky Guild consisted of 26 members including:[9]
- Ad Gefrin Distillery
- Ellers Farm Distillery
- Retribution Distilleries Co
- West Midlands Distillery
- Yarm Distillery
Ex-Members
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.[10] After failing to convince the Guild to alter the application Circumstance Distillery left the organisation in March 2022.
Recognition
In February 2022, the English Whisky Guild applied for a geographical Indication to put into law the definition of English Whisky.[11]
In February 2025, the English whisky geographical indication entered the consultation phase.[12]
Annual report
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.[1]
References
- ^ a b "English Whisky Guild's first annual report praises category's". www.whiskymag.com. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ de Almeida, Andre (May 18, 2022). "Distilleries collaborate to launch the English Whisky Guild". Inside the Cask.
- ^ LURSOFT (2024-02-22). "THE ENGLISH WHISKY GUILD | British companies". Lursoft. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "English Whisky Guild". Briggs. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ Brooker, Alice (May 17, 2022). "English Whisky Guild appoints CEO as industry forecast to possess over £1bn in maturing stock". Worshipful Company of Distillers.
- ^ "Associate Members". grassytest. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
- ^ Whymark, Bethany (May 19, 2022). "Distilleries team up to launch English Whisky Guild". The Drinks Report.
- ^ CP (2023-04-28). "English whisky witnessing unprecedented growth with 49 active distilleries now across England". Conservative Post. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "The English Whisky Guild nearing final stages in GI application". 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Malczewski, Kate (February 25, 2022). "Producers seek legal definition for English whisky". The Spirits Business.
- ^ Carruthers, Nicola (2025-02-19). "English whisky nears GI status". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
External links
Geographical Indication
EWG Reports
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