Wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has acquired a minority stake in English whisky producer The Cotswolds Distillery as part of the latter’s ‘Cotswolds 2.0’ funding round.

Existing and new private investors also bought into the distillery at the same time, with funds being used to increase production and drive sales of its Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky.

Cotswolds recently opened a second distillery on its 14-acre site dedicated to malt production. The expansion means the distiller is now the largest English whisky maker by volume.

The brand said it is already the best-selling English whisky, with listings in travel retail and the domestic UK market as well as distribution across more than 35 countries.

Cotswolds made its GTR debut back in 2018 and has since made headway in the cruise/ferry channel through partnerships with Harding+ and P&O Cruises.

Funds from the minority acquisition will be used to drive the distillery’s development plans, which include a boost to its sustainability measures, the construction of biodiverse wetlands ecological treatment system, and the related landscaping works.

With the investment, Berry Bros & Rudd CEO Emma Fox will join the Cotswolds Distillery board.

A ‘leading light’ in English single malt

“We could not be more delighted with the results of our funding round, in particular our new partnership with Berry Bros, who, like us, stand for excellence in fine spirits as we further build our brand through increased national and international distribution,” said Cotswolds Distillery Founder Daniel Szor.

Fox added: “We are delighted to have partnered with Cotswolds Distillery. Their impressive growth has seen them become the best-selling English whisky and a leading light in the fast-growing premium single malt category.

“We look forward to supporting and accelerating their international expansion and helping them maximise the growing global opportunity in new world whisky.

“We’re also delighted that our investment will help boost their sustainability plans as this is an important part of our role in the industry to ensure we’re building a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.”

The Cotswolds Distillery has become a leading tourist attraction, drawing in over 100,000 guests to its visitor centre and two satellite shops.

Berry Bros & Rudd will mark its 325th anniversary in 2023, and still operates from its historical home at 3 St James’s Street, London.

In 2022, The Cotswolds Distillery appointed Lynsey Eades as its International Sales and Global Travel Retail Director as it stepped up international expansion.