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England’s newest distillery receives RGN grant

The Cotswolds Distillery has received grant funding from the Warwickshire Rural Growth Network (RGN). The grant will allow England’s newest distillery to purchase additional washbacks (fermentation tanks) used in the production of the first Cotswolds single malt whisky.

Warwickshire is one of just five RGN schemes in the country, set up by the DEFRA. The programme, which is run by the Warwickshire County Council on behalf of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, is targeted at supporting economic growth in rural areas.

Daniel Szor, founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery, says: “We are delighted at this expression of support from our community. As the only working traditional distillery in the area, we are proud to bring the ancient art of artisanal distilling to Warwickshire and the Cotswolds – this grant will allow us to increase our whisky production significantly and take on apprentice distillers, and will certainly also be a boost to tourism in the North Cotswolds.”

The Cotswolds Distillery, located on a five-acre rural plot near the village of Stourton in South Warwickshire, is the region’s first craft distillery. It started production of Cotswolds single malt, using local barley, and Cotswolds dry gin in September this year (read more).

Tim Powell of the University of Warwick Science Park who has been advising the Cotswolds Distillery through the RGN initiative says: “We were delighted to help the Cotswolds Distillery obtain a micro-enterprise grant towards expanding production of its newly opened distilling facility in South Warwickshire. With a number of craft beer and cider producers all located in this part of the county, the Cotswold Distillery completes a cluster of Artisanal activity bringing new employment opportunities for apprentice distillers as well as adding another feature for tourism in the region. “ 

1 December 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor