The Cotswolds Distillery have added a new whisky to their range with the launch of the first-ever whisky matured in peated casks in the Cotswolds.

The peated cask release is hand-crafted in small batches using 100% locally grown barley, and has been matured exclusively in ex-peated quarter casks from Scotland. The result is a wonderfully-balanced rich and fruity whisky with subtle notes of peat smoke.

They began making this single malt using 100% locally grown, floor-malted barley which is mashed and then fermented for more than 90 hours before a double distillation in their bespoke copper pot stills, resulting in a light and fruity new-make spirit.

After being diluted to 63.5% ABV, they then filled ex-peated quarter casks from Scotland with the new-make spirit and left these to mature, allowing the rich and fruity spirit to take on a light smoked peat flavour. The whisky has been fully matured in these casks and bottled at cask strength (59.3% ABV), non-chill filtered and with no added colouring. 

Tasting notes

Nose: Vanilla with light charring and a touch of dried fruits and spice.

Palate: Creamy peat smoke layered with light fruits and tannin-rich wood.

Finish: Lasting finish of smoking embers, floral honey and woody sugars.
​

www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/products/peated-cask-single-malt-whisky

It has been announced that The Hollow Bottom will officially reopen on Monday 7th October.

The popular horse racing pub in Guiting Power closed suddenly in July before being bought buy The Lucky Onion Group, owned by clothing brand Superdry's co-founder Julian Dunkerton. 

hollowbottom.com

​Check out the new menu below.

There is just one month to go until jump racing returns to Cheltenham for The Showcase meeting on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October. 

In addition to all the exciting racing to enjoy the racecourse will be hosting its first Cheltoberfest, which will take place in The Centaur both days with music from The Bierkeller Boys. 

The buzz around the course as the gates open is like no other with anticipation for the season ahead. 

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-showcase

​Here are all the fixtures at Cheltenham Racecourse for the 2019/20 season. 

​THE SHOWCASE
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 2019

THE NOVEMBER MEETING
Friday 15th - Sunday 17th November 2019 

THE INTERNATIONAL 
Friday 13th & Saturday 14th December 2019

NEW YEAR'S DAY
Wednesday 1st January 2020 

FESTIVAL TRIALS DAY 
Saturday 25th January 2020

THE FESTIVAL™ PRESENTED BY MAGNERS
Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th March 2020
Book your tickets before 2nd December at 10:59am for the best price

THE APRIL MEETING
Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th April 2020

RACE NIGHT FEATURING HUNTER CHASE RACING 
Friday 1st May 2020

The Cheltenham Literature Festival will be taking literature to the streets for the fourth year running on Saturday 5th October 2019.

Enjoy a fast-paced evening of comedy, readings, performances and parties in the hottest venues across town. This is literature done differently and it's completely FREE!

The evening is split into four phases from 5pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and ends up at The Bottle of Sauce at 9pm until late.

The Crawl blends a bar crawl with bookish content, creating a riotous evening of the written and spoken word staged in surprising locations. Drop in for one session or crawl your way through the whole evening of events.

Phase One

​Phase Two

Phase Three

​Phase Four

​Raise the Bar at The Bottle of Sauce brings the Lit Crawl to a foot-stompingly energetic finale, filled with poetry and spoken word before the riotous after-party takes place until 2am. 

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/about-the-festival/litcrawl

The McCoy Awards return to Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday 27th September to celebrate the outstanding contribution to jump racing at all Jockey Club Jump Racecourses during the 2018/19 season.

The awards, named after Sir AP McCoy, the record-breaking 20-time champion Jump jockey who retired from race riding in April 2015, reflect on the triumphs and the highlights of the season and appreciate all the people within the sport, from the unwavering support of owners to the often unsung dedication of stable staff. The McCoys exist to recognise the individuals without whom this sport would not prosper as it does.

Last year's winners included Harry Skelton for leading professional jockey, Nicky Henderson was leading trainer with over 40 horses, and Tiger Roll picking up the Judges Choice Award for his incredible victory in the 2018 Grand National.

Jump Racing returns to Cheltenham for The Showcase on Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 2019 and will feature the first ever Cheltoberfest, with live music from the Bierkeller Boys a racing tipster, and Real Ales and Magners Cider will be available in The Centaur. 

Keep up to date with everything at Cheltenham Racecourse on our dedicated horse racing page, The Roar.

​Watch the highlights from last year's awards below.

The shortlist for the 2020 National Fish and Chip Awards has been announced – and a Cotswolds restaurant has made the cut. 

​Malt & Anchor in Cirencester will now compete for the chance to take home the coveted title of the ‘UK’s best fish and chip restaurant’ which will be announced in January 2020. 

Established in 2017, Malt and Anchor describes itself as having a 'traditional chippy menu with a twist', including their speciality fish and chips, panko coated calamari, locally sourced award-winning pies, butcher sausages and Malt & Anchor’s own fresh fish specials. The restaurant also offers a takeaway service as well as an array of fine wines, cocktails and boutique beers to compliment their menu.

www.maltandanchor.co.uk

Bhoomi in Cheltenham has given itself refresh and will now be known as Bhoomi Kitchen. 

The restaurant will offer a more casual dining experience while keeping a huge focus on South India cuisine,   introducing an Indian BBQ  to the menu as well as offering Thali every weekday evening and Friday - Sunday lunch.. 

There is a also the new addition of "The Games Room" where guests can play Carrom, a popular cue sport-based tabletop game of South Asian origin. 

bhoomikitchen.co.uk

The King's Head Inn in Bledington has been named 'Inn of the Year' for 2020 in the latest Good Pub Guide awards. 

They were one of 14 pubs awarded and  follows up being named Good Pub Guide 'Pub of the Year' in 2017. 

Other winners from around the UK include;

Pub of the Year 2020
The Inn at Whitewell, near Clitheroe, Lancashire

Dining Pub of the Year 2020
The Assheton Arms in Downham, Lancashire

Licensee of the Year 2020
The Wyvill Arms in Constable Burton, Yorkshire

New Pub of the Year 2020
The Swan in Marbury, Cheshire

Value Pub of the Year 2020
The Dipton Mill Inn, Diptonmill, Northumbria

Unspoilt Pub of the Year 2020
The Kings Head, Laxfield, Suffolk

Country Pub of the Year 2020
The Harp , Old Radnor, Wales

Town Pub of the Year 2020
Babbity Bowster, Glasgow, Scotland

Inn of the Year 2020
The Kings Head, Bledington, Oxfordshire

Beer Pub of the Year 2020
The Fat Cat, Norwich, Norfolk

Own Brew Pub of the Year 2020
The Beer Hall, Hawkshead Brewery, Cumbria

Wine Pub of the Year 2020
The Woods, Dulverton, Somerset

Whisky Pub of the Year 2020
The Bon Accord, Glasgow, Scotland

Gin Pub of the Year 2020
The Cholmondeley Arms, Cholmondeley, Cheshire

The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power is the latest addition to The Lucky Onion portfolio and will reopen its doors in October 2019.

The pub has always been a huge favourite of the horse racing community and was the scene of celebrations both after Bindaree won the Grand National and when Imperial Commander landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup for nearby trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. 

Away from racing, the pub's charming rural setting is perfect for a quiet lunch and supper, with The Lucky Onion's lovingly-cooked good food, and the finest ingredients from the around the UK, at the heart of the menus. There's an extensive beer and wine list too.

A beautiful 17th-century Cotswold stone building with excellent country views, The Hollow Bottom will feature The Lucky Onion’s signature design touches around its already existing deep recessed windows, low ceilings and exposed stone walls and timbers.

In the winter, expect a roaring wood-burning fire in the bar. In summer months, you can soak up the sunshine with drinks and food on the terrace.

The Lucky Onion took over ownership after the property closed in July 2019. 

Below is the new Hollow Bottom logo.