Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt.
Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold medal, scoring 95 points from the blind judging panel.
Chocolatier is a richly layered single malt that combines deep cocoa character with the distillery’s signature style.
Central to that is élevage. More commonly associated with the wines of Bordeaux and the finest Cognacs, élevage sees the whisky continually nurtured throughout its maturation rather than simply left to age.
Casks are moved between different warehouse environments, allowing variations in climate to influence their development, while whisky from selected casks is married at carefully judged stages to encourage new layers of aroma, texture and complexity.
More commonly associated with the wines of Bordeaux and the finest Cognacs, élevage sees the whisky continually nurtured…
The Lakes Chocolatier whisky tasting notes
Sherry cask ageing provides the foundation for Chocolatier’s character, adding richness, spice and dried fruit to complement its cocoa-led profile.
Bottled at 51% ABV, the whisky is said to open with rich milk chocolate layered with butterscotch and cacao, followed by subtle peach, dried fruits and the comforting sweetness of freshly baked brandy snaps.
The palate follows with warming wood spices, soft orchard fruits and spiced hot chocolate, before toasted oak, perfumed vanilla and an unexpected note of pineapple bring additional complexity alongside generous dried fruit.
The finish is long, mouth-coating and lingering, with dark chocolate and gentle spice remaining long after the final sip.
Commenting on the release, Nyetimber Group owner and CEO Eric Heerema said the whisky’s recent competition success demonstrated the growing reputation of English single malt around the world. He described Chocolatier as an example of how élevage and careful cask management can create “incredible tapestries of flavour.”
The Lakes Distillery Chocolatier is available now through Amathus stores nationwide, via the retailer’s online shop anddirectly from The Lakes Distillery, priced at £95.
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The Luxe Review 
Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt.
Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold medal, scoring 95 points from the blind judging panel.
Chocolatier is a richly layered single malt that combines deep cocoa character with the distillery’s signature style.
Central to that is élevage. More commonly associated with the wines of Bordeaux and the finest Cognacs, élevage sees the whisky continually nurtured throughout its maturation rather than simply left to age.
Casks are moved between different warehouse environments, allowing variations in climate to influence their development, while whisky from selected casks is married at carefully judged stages to encourage new layers of aroma, texture and complexity.
The Lakes Chocolatier whisky tasting notes
Sherry cask ageing provides the foundation for Chocolatier’s character, adding richness, spice and dried fruit to complement its cocoa-led profile.
Bottled at 51% ABV, the whisky is said to open with rich milk chocolate layered with butterscotch and cacao, followed by subtle peach, dried fruits and the comforting sweetness of freshly baked brandy snaps.
The palate follows with warming wood spices, soft orchard fruits and spiced hot chocolate, before toasted oak, perfumed vanilla and an unexpected note of pineapple bring additional complexity alongside generous dried fruit.
The finish is long, mouth-coating and lingering, with dark chocolate and gentle spice remaining long after the final sip.
Commenting on the release, Nyetimber Group owner and CEO Eric Heerema said the whisky’s recent competition success demonstrated the growing reputation of English single malt around the world. He described Chocolatier as an example of how élevage and careful cask management can create “incredible tapestries of flavour.”
The Lakes Distillery Chocolatier is available now through Amathus stores nationwide, via the retailer’s online shop and directly from The Lakes Distillery, priced at £95.
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