The English Whisky Co 2008 Chapter 2 – New Make Spirit
70cl / 46%
£79.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: England
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
The English Whisky Co. Chapter 2 – New Make Spirit (Peated) is an unaged malt spirit from St George’s Distillery, distilled on 29/07/2008 and bottled on 15/09/2008 at 46% ABV; released in 50 ml and 700 ml formats, presented in natural form (uncoloured, non-chill-filtered), it showcases the distillery’s peated style at the source with clean smoke over fresh cereal and malty sweetness—ideal for tastings, cocktail trials, or side-by-side comparisons with matured releases.
Tasting Notes
Gentle peat smoke with grassy freshness and a touch of lemon zest.
Light-bodied and youthful, with hints of citrus, cracked pepper, and a waft of bonfire smoke.
Short and sharp, with lingering smoke and subtle spice.
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An unaged, peated spirit capturing the distillery’s core malt character before cask intervention.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | St George's Distillery / The English Whisky Co. / England (Norfolk) |
| Category | Unaged Peated Malt Spirit / Spirit Drink |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | Unaged (bottled after 1.5 months) / Distilled 29/07/2008 / Bottled 15/09/2008 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 46% ABV / 70cl, 50ml |
| Cask / Treatment | None (New Make Spirit) |
| Natural Colour | Yes (Clear) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes |
| Cask Strength | No (Reduced to 46% ABV) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retail, Distillery Education, Tastings |
| Packaging | Standard bottle, labelled clearly as 'New Make Spirit' |
Historical Context
The release of Chapter 2 in 2008 was a pivotal moment for transparency. This bottling was intentionally unaged, providing consumers with a direct sensory reference point for the raw distillate character.
Crucially, Chapter 2 is a peated expression, serving as the baseline for all subsequent matured "Smokey" whiskies produced by the distillery. By offering the spirit at 46% ABV just weeks after distillation, EWC allowed enthusiasts to assess the impact of their malt selection and fermentation profile before wood entirely dominated its character.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The spirit is defined by its derivation from malted barley and the peat smoking process. It was reduced from distillation strength to 46% ABV for palatability. Chapter 2 provides the essential comparison standard for understanding how maturation transforms the raw, intensely peated base spirit.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 46% | 70cl | Specialist Retail / UK | Early Chapter Series, Peated, New Make | Moderate (Technical curiosity) |
| 46% | 50ml | Specialist Retail / UK | Early Chapter Series, Peated, New Make | Moderate (Niche educational tool) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Appearance: The liquid must be clear and colourless.
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Labelling: The label must explicitly state the precise distillation and bottling dates (July/September 2008) and denote its legal category as "Malt Spirit" or "Spirit Drink".
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Security: Since this is a historical technical release, the primary threshold is the integrity of the seal.
Regulatory/terminology notes
Under UK regulations, any malt spirit that has not spent a minimum of three years maturing in oak casks cannot legally be termed "Whisky". Chapter 2 is correctly termed a "Spirit Drink" or "Malt Spirit". The inclusion of NCF and Natural Colour statements confirms that the pure distillate is presented without any post-distillation alteration.
Liquid Profile
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Nose: Characterised by gentle peat smoke, grassy freshness, and sharp lemon zest. Earthy peat notes sit alongside bright fruit esters like pear eau de vie.
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Palate: Light-bodied with high clarity. The peat and smoke are more apparent on the palate, displaying phenolic tones, citrus, cracked pepper, and a subtle malty sweetness.
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Finish: Short and sharp; lingering peppery peat and a drying quality reminiscent of smoked almonds.
