After selling her previous distillery to Diageo for an estimated 70 million pounds, Lorna Chase has bought back her original farm to launch a 10-year-old English single malt, marking a surprising return to artisanal roots. Lorna Chase's return to artisanal roots, marked by buying back her original farm to launch a 10-year-old English single malt, redefines expectations for English single malt whisky.
A seasoned entrepreneur achieved massive success by selling to a global conglomerate, but she has now returned to a field-to-bottle, independent venture. Her return to a field-to-bottle, independent venture challenges conventional growth strategies within the spirits industry.
Based on Lorna Chase's proven track record and the significant investment in Rosemaund Farm Distillery, the English single malt category is likely to see accelerated growth and increased prestige, driven by a focus on provenance and quality.
The Orchard Cut: A Decade in the Making
- The 10-year-old single malt is produced from Maris Otter barley and matured in a mix of first-fill bourbon and PX sherry casks, according to Whiskymag.
While this dual-cask strategy suggests a sophisticated flavor profile, Robb Report states The Orchard Cut is entirely from ex-bourbon casks. This discrepancy suggests either varied blends for different releases or differing reports on the whisky's specific maturation, an important detail for discerning connoisseurs.
Lorna Chase's Return to Roots
In 2024, Lorna Chase, with her husband and brother-in-law, reacquired the original Rosemaund farm and distillery, relaunching it as a field-to-bottle whisky venture, according to Robb Report. Lorna Chase's immediate re-entry with a 10-year-old single malt prioritizes craft and provenance over corporate scaling, positioning Rosemaund Farm as a leader in artisanal production and setting a new standard for English whisky.
