Witchmark Distillery, located on the historic Fonthill Estate in Wiltshire, has marked a major milestone with the filling of its 1,000th cask of English whisky this month.
For co-founder and production director Eddie Large, however, the moment is about far more than production figures. “Reaching our 1,000th cask is a huge milestone, but for me it’s not really about the cask itself, it’s about the people who have made it happen,” he shares. “We’ve built a young, diverse and talented team with members hailing from all around the world, from India to Poland, England to New Zealand, each bringing their own passion and expertise to the distillery floor to produce quality English whisky.
“We’ve been filling casks for the past 18 months, but the journey really started back in 2020 when we first set out to create an English whisky. So, this moment represents years of work, planning and belief, and we’re only just getting started…”
The idea for Witchmark was first formed during the challenges of 2020, when co-founders Alistair Munro and Jon Carson turned a shared passion into a long-term ambition to produce one of England’s leading single malts.
With its first release planned for late 2027, the distillery has already set its sights on significant growth. The team expects to have close to 4,000 casks maturing by the time the whisky reaches the market, supported by a diverse wood programme including Tawny Port, Madeira, rum and Islay casks to build complexity and depth.
Witchmark operates from a Grade II listed 17th century barn, where ancient witch marks etched into the walls inspired the distillery’s name. Its production process is closely tied to its surroundings, with barley grown on the estate and water sourced from a nearby chalk aquifer.
You Might Also Like:
Early signs suggest a promising spirit, with whisky drawn from ex-bourbon casks at just over 10 months old already showing a medium-bodied profile, sweet malty character, fresh apple notes and a creamy texture, finishing dry with a light touch of oak.
Sustainability sits at the heart of the operation, reflected in its B Corp certification with a score of 124.4, the highest of any distillery in England. From regenerative farming and eco-fuel powered stills to 100% recycled glass bottles and circular waste systems, environmental considerations are embedded throughout the distillery’s approach.
As the English whisky category continues to grow, Witchmark Distillery is positioning itself as one to watch, with its 1,000th cask marking a significant step on its journey towards its first release in 2027.
