The Lakes Distillery Company is an English distillery based on a renovated 1850s farm near Bassenthwaite Lake in Cumbria's Lake District. Founded in 2011 by Paul Currie (co-founder of Scotland's Isle of Arran Distillery) and Nigel Mills, the distillery opened in December 2014 and was for a period England's largest whisky distillery. It produces single malt whisky, gin and vodka, with its flagship line including The Whiskymaker's Reserve single malt (launched 2019) and The One blended whisky. The business raised growth capital through Enterprise Investment Scheme programmes, two Crowdcube equity crowdfunding rounds (2017, 2018), a £4.25m minority investment from Comhar Capital in January 2020 and debt funding from Beechbrook Capital and Gresham House. In June 2024 the company was acquired by English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber in a deal valuing the business at approximately £71 million including debt. In April 2026, owner Nyetimber closed the Lakes Distillery brand home (visitor centre, bistro and shop), cutting around 15 jobs, while distillation operations continue.
The Lakes Distillery Company has been acquired
This company is no longer available on our private secondary market.
Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Founded
2011
Employees
51–200
Total Funding
$6.94M
3 rounds
Total raised $6.94M across 3 rounds
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Last updated 06-25-2026
Latest Round
Type
Private Equity (Minority)
Date
January 13, 2020
Amount
£4.25m
Valuation
—
Lead Investors
| Date | Round | Amount Raised | Valuation | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 13, 2020 | Private Equity (Minority) | £4.25m | — | Comhar Capital |
| June 14, 2018 | Equity Crowdfunding | £1.62m | — | |
| November 2017 | Equity Crowdfunding | £1.07m (raised from 1,445 investors via Crowdcube; campaign overfunded above £1m target) | — |
James Pennefather
Chief Executive Officer
Paul Currie
Co-Founder
Nigel Mills
Co-Founder (former CEO)
Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.
The English Distillery (English Whisky Co.)
Norfolk-based English single malt whisky distillery, founded 2006; one of the earliest modern English whisky producers and a direct premium English single malt peer.
Cotswolds Distillery
Warwickshire-based English distillery producing single malt whisky and gin; comparable craft-premium English distillery with visitor centre.
Bimber Distillery
London-based craft English single malt whisky distillery producing small-batch premium whisky competing with The Lakes' luxury single malt range.
Isle of Arran Distillers
Scottish single malt whisky distillery co-founded by Lakes Distillery co-founder Paul Currie; direct premium single malt competitor in the UK craft distillery segment.
Chapel Down
English sparkling wine producer that has diversified into spirits; a comparable premium English drinks producer and AIM-listed peer in UK premium drinks.
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