A Norfolk firm is hoping to put the county 'firmly on the whisky map' with its launch of a new bottle range.

Eastern Daily Press: English Whisky Company owner Andrew Nelstrop. Picture: English Whisky CompanyEnglish Whisky Company owner Andrew Nelstrop. Picture: English Whisky Company (Image: Archant)

The Norfolk brand, from the English Whisky Company, will celebrate the fact it has been made in the county.

A single grain whiskey called Malt 'n' Rye, which is produced at the Roudham-based St George's Distillery, is the first to be publicly released under the brand - alongside Farmers and the yet-to-be released Parched.

Malt 'n' Rye is limited to just 1,962 bottles worldwide.

Eastern Daily Press: English Whisky Company owner Andrew Nelstrop. Picture: English Whisky CompanyEnglish Whisky Company owner Andrew Nelstrop. Picture: English Whisky Company (Image: Archant)

Andrew Nelstrop, who owns the company, said: 'Over the years the range of products we have made at St George's Distillery have put English whisky firmly in the spotlight – and now it's time to celebrate the fact they have all been made in Norfolk and put it firmly on the whisky map.'

He added: 'This range of whiskies celebrates the county and its characteristics – a beautiful, secret, which is gloriously different, with unique flavours.

'These whiskies use more than just malted barley and, as they are a very different whisky to the single malts, it made perfect sense to launch them as The Norfolk brand.'

Like the whiskey, the brand's bottle labels are also a little different.

They all feature a cat sporting a monocle and a bowler hat – created by label designer Craig Mackinlay at Breeze Creative.

Mr Nelstrop, whose father James Nelstrop founded the distillery in 2005, said: 'The bowler hat was invented by Holkham Estate as a hard hat for its game keepers and was originally known as the Coke hat.

'If you go to Lock & Co in St James's Street in London today to buy a bowler, you will still be sold a Coke hat instead – hence the cat wearing the bowler hat. It's a truly Norfolk invention.'

Malt 'n' Rye has a taste of sweet toffee, golden syrup, and Demerara sugar, with hints of fresh green apples, vanilla and a little spice.

The official launch comes after a soft launch in autumn 2016 when Farmers was released to a small group of enthusiasts to gauge their thoughts.

Mr Nelstrop said the feedback was 'wonderful' and the decision was made to launch the range to everyone.