The distillery said goodbye to summer with a relaxed closing party at The Hidden Still, its cocktail bar and terrace in Stourton, on Saturday, September 26.
The final event of the season combined live music, food and a strong drinks menu with a first taste of Round Hill Harvest Single Malt Whisky, the fifth release in the distillery’s annual Harvest Series. Special Negronis also featured as part of Negroni Week.
My wife and I joined around 20 guests for a tasting hosted by operations director and lead distiller Alice Pearson. She gave an engaging explanation of how the new whisky was made before everyone sampled the freshly launched whiskey.
Made with 100 per cent local Cotswolds barley, Harvest No.5 marries ex-maple syrup casks with Spanish oak Oloroso hogsheads and a subtle hint of peat. The maple influence was easy to pick out and made this a noticeably sweeter whisky; personally, I preferred the distillery’s signature whisky, but the new release offered something distinctive to explore.
The annual Harvest Series links whisky-making with the Cotswolds landscape. For this fifth release, Oxfordshire artist Jeffrey Pratt’s Past Traitors Ford appears on the presentation tube, its open fields, natural textures and changing light reflecting a countryside shaped by farming, movement and the seasons.
The food was just as enjoyable. The terrace’s weekly snack-bar menu included the much-talked-about “silly crisps” — salted British potato crisps piled with generous, changing toppings designed for sharing. Previous combinations have included hummus, roasted peppers and crumbled feta.
My favourite dish was the salami and chorizo picante pizza, finished with rocket and hot honey. It delivered a satisfying mix of heat, sweetness and freshness that suited the informal terrace setting.
The highlight, though, was the atmosphere. Sitting beside the fire pit with a smooth Old Fashioned while live music played on the terrace felt like exactly the right way to watch the sun set on The Hidden Still’s first summer.
The distillery also has more seasonal events lined up for the rest of the year. Something Wicked at The Hidden Still takes place on Saturday, October 24, with a free family Halloween evening featuring fire pits, spooky cocktails and a carved-pumpkin contest from 5pm to 8pm.
After a season of Friday and Saturday openings, tastings and special events, the summer closing event showed why the venue has been an appealing addition to the distillery.
The drinks gave enthusiasts plenty to discuss, the food was playful and well judged, and the easy-going setting made the evening feel special without becoming formal. It was a fitting farewell to the terrace season — and a persuasive reason to look forward to its return.
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