Fielden Whisky celebrated the launch of its new Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky on Lammas Day, traditionally the first day of the grain harvest. The exclusive event took place at Tubbs End Farm in Warwickshire, surrounded by the grains that inspire Fielden’s commitment to regenerative farming using heritage varieties.
Fielden, an Old English term meaning “of the field,” is on a mission to revive England’s agricultural landscape through traditional farming practices that avoid chemical inputs. The distillery’s approach fosters a healthy ecosystem where wildlife thrives both above and below ground. The founders believe that whisky can play a crucial role in transforming agriculture for the better—one field and one harvest at a time.
The Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky is the inaugural release in a series that will annually celebrate Fielden’s grain harvest. Each release aims to reflect the unique characteristics of the heritage grains used, with the vintage denoting the year of the grain harvest and capturing the effects of weather patterns on the crop. Fielden utilises a mix of heritage grain varieties, which have tiny genetic differences allowing them to flourish naturally in their specific environments. This results in diverse flavour profiles that distinguish the whisky.
The 2019 harvest benefited from mild weather and summer rainfall, contributing to a brighter and more delicate flavour in the rye. The whisky is crafted from a blend of rye, wheat, barley, and malted barley, with the mash fermented for five days in stainless steel tanks. It undergoes double distillation in pot and column stills, followed by maturation in nine casks—predominantly American oak, complemented by a Sauternes barrel and a Ramandolo barrique. The final spirit captures the essence of early summer, presenting fresh, floral notes, fruity flavours, and a hint of zesty spice on the finish.
Fielden’s grains are exclusively cultivated for the distillery on farms throughout England. The mixed crops they use were common before the early 20th century when modern hybrid varieties took over conventional and organic farming practices. In contrast to industrial farming, Fielden’s fields are vibrant ecosystems, teeming with wildflowers, birds, and insects, nurtured by heritage grains that flourish without reliance on pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This natural approach allows the crops to extract more nutrients from the soil, producing a distinctive flavour profile unique to heritage grains.
Harvest 2019 Rye Whisky is now available for purchase on the Fielden website and at Berry Bros. & Rudd, priced at £80 for a 70cl bottle.
Fielden Whisky’s dedication to sustainable farming practices and the preservation of heritage grains represents a significant step toward a more environmentally friendly future in agriculture, demonstrating how traditional methods can coexist with modern demands.
