The Lakes 4 Year Old Founders Club

The scarce 'Year 4' single malt release, exclusively for Founders' Club members, bottled non-chill filtered and drawn from the first 100 casks.

1. Historical Context

The Lakes Distillery, situated in Cumbria within the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site, was founded with a philosophy of "holistic whisky making," emphasising the role of the whiskymaker throughout the entire production journey. This focus on craftsmanship and continuity underpins its value proposition.

The 4 Year Old Founders Club release belongs to a highly exclusive series launched to commemorate the distillery's earliest production. The Founders' Club promised members an annual exclusive bottling over the course of the distillery’s first ten years of operation. This liquid is highly significant because it is drawn specifically from the initial 100 casks that were first laid down at the distillery. As such, the 4 Year Old is a direct liquid reference to the very beginning of The Lakes' history, allowing members to experience how the distillery’s character evolves year-on-year.

The rarity of this bottling is guaranteed by its extremely limited outturn of 2,975 bottles (S_S42), available exclusively to Founders' Club members. This low volume and high exclusivity ensures that the product is immediately scarce on the open market, transitioning directly from the distillery to the private collector. The release of this 4 Year Old single malt follows the minimum requirement for a Scotch whisky age statement, although as an English whisky, it is bound by its own quality standards. The expression is produced with the premium hallmarks of being bottled at a substantial 46.6% ABV, without chill filtration, and with natural colour. These technical choices demonstrate The Lakes' commitment to maximal flavour retention, even in a young spirit.

2. Technical Specification & Variant Map

The 4 Year Old Founders Club is defined by its low outturn and technical adherence to premium bottling standards.

2.1 Documented variants

The core specifications are consistent across the release:

• Strength: 46.6% ABV. This strength is above the standard bottling proof, ensuring flavour robustness.
• Volume: 70cl. The release is often presented as a set including the 70cl bottle and two 5cl miniatures.
• Outturn: 2,975 bottles. This explicit count guarantees its limited-edition status.
• Maturation: Drawn from the first 100 casks laid down at the distillery.

2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist

• Exclusivity Markers: The label must clearly state "Founders' Club Release #4" and the specific outturn (2,975 bottles).
• Set Integrity: The integrity of the complete set, including the two accompanying 5cl mini bottles, is a factor in achieving the highest valuation.
• Regulatory Cues: The label confirms the bottling is Non-Chill Filtered (NCF) and carries Natural Colour.

2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes

The liquid is a Single Malt Whisky from England. Although it carries a 4 Year Old age statement, the distillery's single malt standard often focuses on the maturation process (drawn from the earliest casks) rather than just the minimum age requirement.

3. Liquid Profile

The young single malt profile is noted for its freshness, complexity derived from oak, and surprising depth for its age.

Nose: Aromas are complex, beginning with menthol, pineapple, and rich polished oak. Further notes include irresistible leather, sumptuous dried fruits, pecan nuts, and a nuanced touch of orange zest.

Palate: The palate delivers a harmonious melody of baking spices alongside a burst of citrus. Notes of lemonade, dark chocolate, and leather are prominent, with sweet sultanas, raisins, and figs giving way to stewed orchard fruits and opulent notes of treacle.

Finish: The finish is described as long and enduringly indulgent, with lingering notes of black pepper, hazelnuts, and grapefruit. The tapestry of all the dried fruits persists into the close.

With water: Not stated by the producer.

4. Pricing & Market Dynamics - GBP only (200 words)

The Lakes 4 Year Old Founders Club is a premium collectible, with high retail pricing that reflects its extreme scarcity and exclusive sourcing.

Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer (Price built into Founders Club membership fee).

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): 169.00 GBP.

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): 130.00 GBP.

Pricing stratification: Pricing is consistent, reflecting the bottle's scarcity and high retail positioning. The auction result of 130.00 GBP confirms strong liquidity and a moderate premium over RRP for early releases.

Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is moderate, primarily restricted to specialist auction lots and private sales. Sourcing is limited by the strict Founders' Club exclusivity.

5. Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

The Lakes Distillery is a modern, award-winning English whisky producer located in the Lake District, Cumbria. The distillery champions a philosophy of "holistic whisky making," with the whiskymaker overseeing the entire process to ensure continuity of character. The distillery's house style is heavily influenced by the use of specially selected sherry-seasoned oak casks. The Lakes has achieved significant global attention for its Single Malt releases and its wider blended collection, all of which are bottled non-chill filtered and with natural colour.

6. Sourcing Playbook

• Target formats/eras to prefer: Target the complete set (70cl + 2 \times 5cl miniatures) for the highest resale value, verifying the 4 Year Old and 46.6% ABV specifications.
• Red flags: Any deviation from the 46.6% ABV or lack of NCF/Natural Colour claims would signal a different product. Low auction bids should be used as a margin advantage.
• Condition thresholds (fill/box): Must have high ullage. The original box/packaging should be retained due to the product's premium, exclusive presentation.
• Margin/velocity expectations (qualitative): Moderate velocity (driven by collector demand for early English single malt). Margin potential is strong, particularly when sourced below the 169.00 GBP retail threshold.