English Whisky Co 2010 Founders Private Cellar Cask #365
70cl / 59.7%
£199.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: England
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
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A profound expression of early English maturation, defined by a strategic finish in dynamic virgin oak.
At-a-Glance
This section provides a summary of the key technical and provenance details for Cask #365.
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | St George's Distillery / The English Whisky Co. / England (Norfolk) |
| Category | Single Malt Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | Approximately 5 Years Old / Distilled Dec 2010 / Bottled Mar 2016 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 59.7% ABV / 70cl, 200ml |
| Cask / Treatment | Ex-Bourbon primary maturation, Virgin Oak finish |
| Natural Colour | Yes (No colouring added) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes |
| Cask Strength | Yes (59.7% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 285 total bottles (across all formats) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retail, Founders Private Cellar Programme |
| Packaging | Standard bottle, presentation tube/box |
| Notes on discrepancies | Tasting notes referenced in some wider catalogue descriptions, such as those mentioning a 13- to 20-year age profile, pertain to the general Founders Private Cellar (FPC) range and do not reflect the specific technical age of this five-year-old cask. |
Historical Context
The Founders Private Cellar (FPC) designation was established by The English Whisky Co. to identify the most limited, rarest, and often oldest single cask releases held in the distillery’s stocks. These bottlings were explicitly intended to be "truly one of a kind releases" that are as valuable for collectors as they are for drinkers, delivering depth, nuance, and richness that is unrepeatable. The distillery, St George's, commenced distillation in 2006, making the 2010 vintage an output from the fourth year of operation, demonstrating growing confidence in the consistency of the malt spirit being produced.
Cask #365 is historically important because it exemplifies the distillery’s early technical curiosity and dynamic approach to wood management. The spirit was distilled in December 2010 and initially laid down in an ex-Bourbon cask. Crucially, after approximately three years, it underwent a strategic transfer to a Virgin Oak (VO) cask to complete its aging. The use of VO—new, unseasoned oak—is a distinct strategy employed by many emerging distilleries to accelerate flavour extraction, quickly introducing intense vanilla, spice, and structural tannin into a relatively young spirit. This careful intervention and sequential maturation process solidified EWC's status as an innovator in English malt production focused on cask quality.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The technical profile of Cask #365 is defined by its powerful cask strength presentation and its unique maturation profile. Bottled in March 2016 at 59.7% ABV, this expression maintains a high proof derived directly from the cask, ensuring an unadulterated flavour experience. The dual maturation regime—starting in ex-Bourbon and finishing in the highly active Virgin Oak—is the key technical feature.
Documented variants
The English Whisky Co. 2010 Founders Private Cellar Cask #365 was released at the single, fixed strength of 59.7% ABV. It was distributed in two retail formats: the standard 70cl bottle and a smaller 200ml format. The total stated outturn for this single cask was 285 bottles. This figure encompasses the entirety of the liquid yielded by Cask #365, meaning the total count of the primary 70cl collector format is inherently lower than 285.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 59.7% | 70cl | UK Specialist Retail | Single Cask, Virgin Oak Finish | High (Rarity, strength, collector format) |
| 59.7% | 200ml | UK Specialist Retail/Sample Sets | Single Cask, Virgin Oak Finish | Moderate-High (Sample value) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Verification: Verify the integrity of the bottle’s capsule and closure. The primary label must confirm the Cask #365 designation, the 2010 vintage, and the 59.7% ABV.
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Packaging: Securing the bottle with its original presentation box or tube is essential for the collector grade.
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Condition: Due to the high bottling strength, the liquid level should be confirmed to be high shoulder or better.
Regulatory/terminology notes
Cask #365 matured for over five years, fully complying with the minimum three-year maturation requirement for Single Malt Whisky in the UK. The product adheres to premium bottling standards, being both Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) and featuring Natural Colour. These specifications are particularly relevant for a whisky matured aggressively in Virgin Oak, as they ensure that the concentrated flavour and natural oils extracted from the wood are delivered fully to the palate.
Liquid Profile
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Nose: Initially defined by vanilla and honeyed cereal. This develops into complexity, offering aromas of coffee, caramel, and vanilla custard, often complemented by darker hints of raisins, leather, and dark chocolate.
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Palate: Rich and concentrated; the high strength amplifies the flavours. Intense spice including nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom interacts with the malt, delivering a sophisticated sweetness of golden sultanas and maple.
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Finish: Warming and long, characterised by pronounced spice (ginger, nutmeg) and dry fine tannins from the Virgin Oak contact. A gentle pepperiness lingers.
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With water: The distillery explicitly recommends adding water. A small addition is intended to "open the oak-led vanilla, honeyed cereal and warming spice," providing a smoother, more buttery texture.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
St George's Distillery, established in 2006 in Roudham, Norfolk, was the first dedicated English distillery for single malt whisky in over a century. This 2010 FPC release serves as a powerful testament to EWC’s capability to achieve profound flavour depth through strategic wood use, successfully managing highly aggressive Virgin Oak.
