The English Distillery: The Story of England's Founding Whisky Distillery in Norfolk
Updated: 2 hours ago
The English Distillery sits in Roudham, Norfolk, and describes itself as England's founding whisky distillery. It was known for years as St George's Distillery and has been run under its current name since 2024. This is the story of how a farming family put English single malt back on the map.
In this guide
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The English Distillery at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Distillery / brand | The English Distillery |
Country and region | Norfolk, England |
Owner / operator | Nelstrop family / The English Whisky Company |
Historical background | The distillery says that in 2006 it became England's first registered, operational whisky distillery for over 100 years, and that it is still family-owned. It was founded by a father and… |
Whisky identity | Roudham whisky site historically known as St George's |
Visitor planning | Check the producer's official site for current tours and operating hours. |
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Where it is and who owns it
The distillery is in the village of Roudham in Norfolk, in the east of England. According to its own website it is still family owned. The founder was James Nelstrop, and his son Andrew Nelstrop now leads the business.
The Nelstrop family and a 600 year grain tradition
The distillery's heritage page traces the family back to 1335, when William Nelstroppe was recorded farming in Yorkshire. In 1772 Joseph Nelstrop started a mill in Ackworth, and in 1820 Robert Nelstrop moved to Stockport and opened a new mill that the family still runs. A branch of the family moved to Lincolnshire to farm in 1881 and still supplies some of the malting barley.
How the distillery began
James Nelstrop was born in 1945 into a farming family. His career in farming and business took him to Australia, Russia and Norfolk. On retiring he turned a long held dream into a planning application for what would be England's first whisky distillery in over 100 years. The distillery says it became England's first registered, operational whisky distillery in 2006. Iain Henderson, formerly of Laphroaig, led the distillation of the first whisky. David Fitt later became head distiller and held the role until 2022. Chris Waters is now the senior distiller on site, according to Wikipedia.
The official opening was carried out by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III. The distillery's own timeline says summer 2007, while Wikipedia says March 2007. Treat the exact month as unconfirmed.
How it is made
Barley is sourced in Norfolk, with some from the family's Lincolnshire farms.
Water comes from an aquifer that runs directly beneath the distillery.
Whisky is matured in casks on site, and Wikipedia states it is natural colour, non chill filtered and bottled on site at 46% ABV as standard.
The range
The single malt was first released in numbered batches called Chapters. In 2016 the company dropped the Chapters format and rebranded the range as The English, starting with Original and Smokey. A single grain range called The Norfolk followed in 2017. The current online range also lists small batch, single cask and age statement releases, including an 11 Year Old and a Chapter 18, plus Norfolk liqueurs. On 30 November 2023 the distillery released a 16 year old port cask whisky, described as the oldest whisky in England.
Awards
March 2024: The English Sherry Cask named World's Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards.
2025: a three star Great Taste Award and Gold at the IWSC, as stated on the distillery's own site.
2026: The English Gently Smoked Sherry Hogshead named World's Best Single Malt (Small Batch) at the World Whiskies Awards.
Other milestones
Marks and Spencer began selling own label English whisky distilled at the site in October 2013. In 2010 a fire at the distillery was reported to have stopped minutes before reaching the stock reserves. Nobody was injured and production returned to normal.
Visiting
The distillery offers five tours, from a Cocktail Masterclass and an Ultimate Tasting Tour to a Create Your Own Whisky experience. Check the official site for current dates and prices before you plan a trip.
Official story and awards
The distillery says that in 2006 it became England's first registered, operational whisky distillery for over 100 years, and that it is still family-owned. It was founded by a father and son, and Andrew Nelstrop is named as founder.
Site: Norfolk, built above a source of mineral-rich water that the distillery says it has used since 2006
Ageing: the distillery says all of its whisky is aged in selected barrels on site, and cites Norfolk's mild winters and dry summers
2024: English Sherry Cask named World's Best Single Malt
2025: three stars at the Great Taste Awards and Gold at the IWSC
2026: English Gently Smoked Sherry Hogshead named World's Best Single Malt (Small Batch) at the World Whiskies Awards
Sources and gaps
Further source read on 21 October 2026: englishwhisky.co.uk Our Story page.
Sources: englishwhisky.co.uk (home, Our Story and Heritage pages, read 20 October 2026) and Wikipedia (The English Distillery). Not verified: still sizes, capacity (Wikipedia gives over 80,000 litres of alcohol a year, an older figure), current ABVs across the range, tour prices and hours. Cover image to be added by Filip. Planned slug: the-english-distillery-norfolk.
What makes The English Distillery distinctive?
Roudham whisky site historically known as St George's
The English Distillery whisky bottle and expression comparison
The English Distillery at Roudham is historically associated with St George's Distillery branding; separate brand history from today's core range.
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation and context |
|---|---|---|---|
The English Original Single Malt | Not age-stated / edition varies | Check bottle | Unpeated core release |
The English Smokey Single Malt | Not age-stated / edition varies | 43% | Peated core single malt, 43% ABV |
The English Sherry Cask Single Malt | Not age-stated / edition varies | Check bottle | Core sherry-cask expression |
The English 11 Year Old | 11 years | Check bottle | Age-stated English single malt |
Rare, limited and historic whisky releases
Documented special releases and older editions can sell out. They are included for education rather than as live stock claims.
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation and context |
|---|---|---|---|
The English Gently Smoked Sherry Hogshead | Not age-stated / edition varies | Check bottle | Small-batch smoky whisky |
The English Heavily Smoked Cask Fusion | Not age-stated / edition varies | Check bottle | Special higher-smoke cask release |
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Frequently asked questions about The English Distillery
Where is The English Distillery located?
Norfolk, England.
Who owns or operates The English Distillery?
Nelstrop family / The English Whisky Company.
What makes The English Distillery distinctive?
Roudham whisky site historically known as St George's.
Which whiskies are documented for The English Distillery?
The English Original Single Malt, The English Smokey Single Malt. Availability varies.
Can visitors tour The English Distillery?
Check the producer's current tour and booking information; not all sites are open to visitors.
Sources and editorial notes
The original research and reference links have been retained. Current ownership, prices, operating status and visitor arrangements should be reconfirmed.
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Sources and further reading
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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