Founded in 2022, it represents a category with a growing number of distilleries, maturing stocks and distinctive approaches to flavour and production. Its ambition is for English whisky to be recognised globally as a respected choice for whisky drinkers.
A close industry relationship
The English Whisky Guild is an independent trade body, separately governed from the Distillers’ Company. The relationship between the two organisations grows from shared people, professional expertise and a common interest in a knowledgeable, confident and responsible distilling industry.
Company members include founders, distillers and advisers who have helped shape the modern English whisky category. This creates opportunities for dialogue, education and collaboration while respecting the separate role and governance of each organisation.
What the Guild does
Connects producers
The Guild creates a community in which distilleries of different sizes can share experience, learn from one another and address common questions.
Promotes best practice
It works to develop clear technical standards, support quality and help producers understand the expectations that come with building a trusted national category.
Builds awareness and understanding
Through events, public information and shared accounts of the category, the Guild helps trade audiences and whisky drinkers discover how English whisky is made and what makes the category distinctive.
Encourages a sustainable future
The Guild promotes discussion and action around responsible production, resource use and the long-term environmental future of English distilling.
Defining English whisky
One of the Guild’s most significant projects is its application to establish English Whisky / English Whiskey as a protected Geographical Indication in Great Britain.
A Geographical Indication links a product name to an agreed place and production specification. The proposed protection is intended to give producers a clear shared framework and help customers understand what the name represents.
Shared knowledge and common standards create a clear English whisky category, build consumer confidence and market distinction, and lead to greater recognition.
English Whisky Guild
Building recognition for English whisky
Shared knowledge and common standards work together to strengthen the category.
Shared knowledge
Producers exchange experience, achievements and learning.
Common standards
English whisky is clearly defined, understood and consistently represented.
The category
A clear and confident category
Quality and authenticity are protected while diversity and innovation are encouraged.
For drinkers
Consumer confidence and market distinction
People understand what English whisky represents and what makes it distinctive.
The outcome
Recognition for English whisky
A respected choice in the UK and around the world.
How knowledge is shared
English whisky is still establishing its identity internationally. The Guild’s category knowledge and the Company’s industry, educational and City networks can help conversations travel further, between producers, educators, policymakers, hospitality and people entering the trade.
Both organisations hold that a category grows more strongly when its people combine ambition with openness, evidence and practical knowledge.
Learn more about the English Whisky Guild