This October, East London Liquor Co. puts yet another signature stamp on their approach to the new world whisky category with the launch of a new bottling – “East London Threads : Blended Whisky”.
This launch marks East London’s first new product release in three years and has been designed to showcase layers of curated character and flavour from East London’s own grain-to-glass whiskies, alongside carefully selected single malt casks from Loch Lomond.
A collaboration with whisky pioneer John Glaser
For this new launch, East London Liquor Co. partnered with John Glaser, founder of Compass Box, to collaborate on the liquid development of “East London Threads : Blended Whisky”. Designed to make East London’s bold approach to whisky-making as accessible as possible for
drinkers with this release, Glaser’s 20 years of pioneering blending expertise guided the innovation and creativity behind this product.
Destined for both export and home markets, “East London Threads : Blended Whisky” will retail at £42 and will be available from the East London Liquor Co. Webshop. Distribution partners include IND for the U.S. and Escalon Partners for European markets.
About “East London : Threads Blended Whisky”
“East London Threads : Blended Whisky” is a whisky that was born in London and made like nothing else. This release is designed to capture everything that defines East London’s style – texture, individuality, funk balanced with finesse – re-stitched into something smashable.
“East London Threads : Blended Whisky” delivers both character and drinkability; this bottle will unite whisky beginners and connoisseurs alike. It is a combination of East London’s single malts, rye whiskies, and a partner distillery whisky. Two unpeated Scottish single malts set a clean yet textured base, while East London malts bring funk, fruit and mouthfeel, and the signature East London Rye® carries a flick of spice through to the finish.
The resulting liquid is oily, waxy, and wildly drinkable. It is bold without shouting and evolves with every sip. It is built with purpose whilst remaining rebellious – entirely East London, start to finish.
The Tasting Notes are chocolate-dipped-strawberries, cherry blossom and a neighbour’s fire pit on the nose, with rum and raisin, white peach and dried banana on the palate. The finish is honey flapjack, golden syrup and a gentle passing drift of smoke.
Blend breakdown
East London pilsner malt from an ex-London Rye cask 1%
East London Rye® matured in oloroso sherry 2%
East London lightly peated malts in Pedro Ximenez (5%) and Tawny Port 7%
East London unpeated Maris Otter malt in ex-bourbon 6%, French oak STR 3%,
and US oak 7%
Loch Lomond swan neck – refill cask (5y) 49.5%
Loch Lomond straight neck high cut – refill cask (3y) 19.5%
Alex Wolpert, founder of East London Liquor Co., says: “This project was born from us interrogating how we can make our whisky as smashable and exciting as possible. What is the most ‘East London thing’ we could do with whisky? It’s proof of how seriously we take our philosophy of always being led by flavour and only flavour and sharing our approach to whisky with as many drinkers as we can. This project honours the traditional practices of whisky blending, while being inspired by the future of what whisky can still become. Having John on board for our release of “East London Threads : Blended Whisky” made the breaking down of whisky barriers all the more enlightening. It’s been a privilege to work together.”
John Glaser, founder of Compass Box Whisky adds: “My role was to help Alex and Sam bring clarity to their vision and support the creative process, from defining what they wanted the whisky to say, to how they could get there. They did the real work. This whisky is all theirs. I just helped coach from the sidelines. What they’ve made is bold, delicious, and refreshingly unpretentious – a whisky with real soul and purpose.”
Sam Garbutt, head of whisky at East London Liquor Co., follows with: “In some ways it’s the last thing people expected us to do: team up with John Glaser and release a blend. For ten years we’ve made whisky on the fringes – laying down different grains and wild ferments tuned to London’s hard water, much like the stout makers of the 18th century. Now felt like the moment to open that work up to a wider drinking audience, partnering with Loch Lomond and marrying these styles into something easy-drinking yet properly characterful. There’s no point innovating for innovation’s sake; beyond his vast knowledge, what I valued most in working with John was his calm, thoughtful focus on our brief. Publishing the blend breakdown was important to us too – total transparency. I want people to pull it apart and figure out what does what… or not, and just enjoy the whisky.”
East London Liquor Co. opens new brand home in London Fields
Having spent their first decade at Bow Wharf, East London has now opened a brand new home on Mentmore Terrace in the heart of London Fields.
This self-designed space is an altar to new world whisky, surrounded by the community that shaped who they are and the spirit they bottle. Alongside serving as the company’s office, the space houses:
A custom lab to spearhead new product development
A whisky blending room designed to welcome both consumers and drinks industry professionals
Facilities to run WSET Levels 2 and 3 training for the drinks trade
This new site will also mark a step-change in how East London will produce their spirits. Much like many brewers, East London Liquor Co. will operate a nomadic production model, leveraging their network of partner distilleries to meet rising demand across their portfolio.
Alex Wolpert adds: “In the current economic climate where overheads and labour costs are only going one way, the sustainable model for us as an indie producer is to retain our production team and all their expertise in house and be nomadic in our distilling locations. We have a phenomenal network of partner distilleries, and our team are incredibly excited to be working with them. Our approach is doggedly pragmatic to futureproof the business. Our new operational set up allows us to hold on to what has always been most important; making our own spirits and serving our industry and community. It’s as simple as that. Our number one priority was to find a liquid development and experiential space.”
