English Whisky Distillery in Devon 

Your local English whisky distillery in Devon 

The Dartmoor Whisky Distillery is a notable English whisky producer located on the edge of the scenic Dartmoor in Bovey Tracey. Inspired by the rugged beauty of its surroundings, our Master Distiller, Frank McHardy, leads our dedicated team in the mission to craft exceptional single malt whisky that captures the spirit of Dartmoor National Park.

Inside our charming distillery, we produce single-malt, single-cask whisky using our unique ex-Cognac still. This remarkable still, handcrafted in 1966 in the beautiful French countryside, has a rich history, having been part of renowned brands like Hennessy, Martel, and Remy Martin. After being out of use since 1994, we have lovingly restored it to bring it back to life. Now, it helps us create our smooth and flavorful new-make spirit using the finest barley sourced from Dartmoor.

Currently, whisky lovers can explore three distinct offerings: our original ex-Bordeaux Cask Single Malt, the American Oak ex-Bourbon Cask Single Malt, and the ex-Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Malt. Each expression is carefully crafted in our historic distillery, located in the Old Town Hall in Bovey Tracey.  

What is English whisky? 

It’s important to recognise that the existing regulations for this specific category lack detailed English guidelines. Currently, the framework governing this category is based solely on EU whisky laws. These laws primarily address the distillation of grain or cereal-based mash, the fermentation process involving yeast, multiple distillations with an alcohol content under 94.8%, a minimum maturation period of three years in wooden casks, and a restricted use of additives, allowing only for caramel colouring.

Additionally, the final product must have an alcohol content of over 40%. While these regulations might appear robust, they are considerably less stringent than the detailed standards maintained by Scotch producers in the northern regions. This disparity helps explain the diverse range of whisky styles crafted in England, which includes everything from single malts that closely resemble Scotch to an assortment of mash bills featuring rye, corn, and more. The impressive variety is even more pronounced when you take into account the unique production methods and the influence of different cask types.  

The landscape of Dartmoor

Dartmoor, a hidden treasure in the heart of Devon, draws visitors in with its stunning hills and expansive views. Known as a paradise for nature lovers, this area features over 450 miles of trails, inviting adventurers from around the world to explore its beauty. What makes Dartmoor special goes beyond its scenic landscapes; its varied terrain offers an exceptional experience for walkers.

However, our bond with Dartmoor is deeper than just its stunning views. For many years, we have cultivated a strong relationship with Preston Farm, located in the heart of Dartmoor, where we source premium barley. The unique weather patterns and rich soil of Dartmoor provide us with an exceptional and abundant source of natural ingredients. We feel fortunate to have access to such a wealth of resources, and the beauty of Dartmoor continues to inspire our work as we create our products with care.  

Our production processes  

Dartmoor Whisky is a true reflection of the South West, proudly utilising locally sourced ingredients whenever we can. Our distillery, located in the heart of Dartmoor, collaborates closely with Tim Cox, an exceptional barley farmer from nearby Preston Farm. Following the unfortunate closure of Tucker’s Maltings in Newton Abbot, we’ve turned to the well-respected Warminster Maltings in Somerset to malt our barley to perfection.

At Warminster, traditional methods are employed, including germination floors and skilled labour, ensuring that the barley is handled with the utmost attention to detail throughout the process. The brewing of our beer wash, an essential phase in whisky production, is carried out by local cask ale makers who adhere closely to a recipe crafted by our accomplished Master Distiller, Frank McHardy. This beer wash undergoes a transformative journey during distillation, increasing its alcohol content from around 9% to an impressive 25% ABV through three rounds of primary distillation. The resulting “low wines” are then returned to the still, culminating in what we proudly refer to as our “water of life,” reaching a striking 70% ABV.

Once distilled, our spirit is carefully placed into specially chosen barrels for maturation. At Dartmoor Whisky, we embrace three different barrel types to develop our three signature expressions: the bold character of American oak Bourbon barrels, the subtle sophistication of French oak wine barrels, and the alluring notes from Spanish sherry barrels. Each barrel adds its own distinctive flavour to the whisky, with some bottlings highlighting the unique qualities of a single type, while others are the result of our Master Distiller’s expert blending.  

Dartmoor Whisky, an English Single Malt Whisky Distillery 

At Dartmoor Whisky Distillery, we are proud to be Devon’s sole whisky maker. We harness the power of our local environment by carefully sourcing regional barley and using only natural ingredients to craft our outstanding single-malt whiskies. To elevate their unique flavour, we blend them with crystal-clear spring water from Dartmoor National Park. Our whiskies reflect the beauty of our rural landscape, influenced not just by our careful production methods but also by the area’s distinctive climate and granite terrain.

This seamless blend of nature and skill results in a quality that authentically represents Dartmoor. Our talented team is led by Master Distiller Frank McHardy, whose extensive knowledge and significant impact on the whisky world are widely recognised. With a remarkable career of over 50 years at prestigious distilleries like Springbank and Bushmills, Frank’s expertise shapes every aspect of our production, making each bottle of Dartmoor Whisky a reflection of his skill.

Within our collection, you’ll find three standout varieties: Ex-Bourbon, Bordeaux, and Sherry. After being distilled in our traditional alembic copper still, these fine spirits are aged in specially selected casks, enriching them with unique flavours and intriguing subtleties.  

• Our Ex-Bourbon whisky is aged in an American barrel, providing its light golden colour. The bourbon cask results in notes of vanilla, toffee, and subdued flavours of aged oak. 
• Hand-selected from one of the best wine regions in France, our red wine cask from Bordeaux balances delicate and rich aromas. When aged in this cask, the single malt whisky finishes with a distinctive sweetness and floral complexity. 
• Aged in a single Oloroso sherry cask, this was the first expression from Dartmoor Whisky Distillery. With distinctive sherry aromas and rich, fruity notes, the high strength and full body of an Oloroso provide its characteristic roundness and sweet flavours. 

Ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Single Malt

Why Not Visit us?

Tasting Experience Tour at Your Local Whisky Distillery in Bovey Tracey 

At the Dartmoor Whisky Distillery, we are thrilled to offer our visitors a rare chance to see firsthand how we create our exceptional single-malt whisky. Our guided tour takes you on an exciting journey, starting from the barley fields and ending with the distillation and ageing processes. You’ll discover the crucial role of our local water source, learn about the types of casks we use for ageing, and explore the unique flavours and aromas that emerge from each batch.

Our knowledgeable staff is always on hand to answer any questions you may have and share their enthusiasm for the whisky-making craft. In addition to the tour, we invite you to join our Whisky and Gin Tasting Experience, where you can enjoy the unique profiles of our spirits. It’s a delightful way to spend an afternoon with friends or to mark a special occasion.

Plus, we’re excited to offer a complimentary souvenir with every booking to remember your visit. We’d love for you to come and experience something truly special at your local distillery in the Southwest! 

Hold an Event at the Dartmoor Whisky Distillery 

If you would like to hold your own exclusive event at Dartmoor Whisky Distillery, please fill in the contact form below. 

Our hall can be booked for:

+ christenings 

+ wakes 

+ birthdays 

+ business outings 

+ business meetings 

+ weddings 

And all of life’s milestones.