The English Distillery, in Harling Road, Roudham, has scooped four major awards at the International Wine and Spirit Competition

A whisky distillery has scooped four major awards at one of the most prestigious competitions in the industry.

The English Distillery, in Harling Road, Roudham, won the awards at the International Wine and Spirit Competition this month (IWSC).

Chapter 18 and The Norfolk Popcorn won gold, while The Norfolk PX and The Norfolk Farmers Single Grain, won silver.

The awards follow the distillery’s success last year when it won the title of Best Whisky in the World in the World Whiskies Awards.

Distillery owner, Andrew Nelstrop, said: “Winning the world's best single malt; it doesn't get any better than that. That is the pinnacle.

“I nearly didn't enter any awards this year. I thought, we'll have a year off, as we can't beat last year. And then, thought we'll just put a couple into the IWSC and thank God we did.

“Winning the award is good for the team and reminds them that they do do a lovely job, and they're good at what they do. It gives everyone a lift.

“The IWSC awards are probably the most regarded one globally, and one of the best. This is a very close second including getting the highest score of any English whisky, with 96 point for Chapter 18, and 95 for Norfolk Popcorn”

“Norfolk Popcorn is called popcorn because it's the main grain we use.

“Chapter 18 is a new whisky we've brought out to commemorate having whisky maturing for over 18 years.”

English distillery was founded in 2005, began distilling a year later.

Andrew added: “We were England's first registered whisky distillery when we launched.

“We primarily produce single malt and we haven't joined the gin fads or vodka fads. It’s what we do.

“There are now believed to be around 60 whisky distilleries, although some are still being built and going through planning stages.

“There's an awful lot of us though, so it becomes more important to keep getting the best awards than it probably did ten years ago.

“We’ve won on quite a number of the years.

“Thanks to the team for their great work.”