Healeys Distillery
Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm is Cornwall's historic cider farm and home to England's oldest registered whisky distillery. The farm was opened to the public in 1986 by David and Kay Healey, who recognised the absence of a Cornish cyder on the market. The distillery was established in 2000 — the first in Cornwall for over 300 years — initially producing cider brandy. Whisky production under the Hicks & Healey brand began in 2003, in partnership with St Austell Brewery, using Maris Otter Cornish barley brewed into a wash before distillation and maturation at the farm. The brand notably uses the Irish and American spelling "whiskey" — a deliberate stylistic choice.
[!info] Founded date The distillery was installed in 2000 but whiskey production (under the Hicks & Healey brand) began in 2003. The founded date reflects the commencement of whiskey distilling; the overall farm/cider operation dates from 1986.
Tours
Available
On-site Shop
Open
Online Shop
Available
History
David and Kay Healey opened the Cornish Cyder Farm to the public in 1986, establishing a working farm attraction that has grown into one of Cornwall's most popular visitor destinations. In 2000 the Healeys installed the first distillery in Cornwall for over 300 years, initially to produce cider brandy from their apple harvest.
In 2003 the whiskey programme began in a collaboration with St Austell Brewery. St Austell brews the wash using Maris Otter Cornish barley — a heritage variety prized for its deep flavour — which is then transported to the farm for distillation, maturation, and bottling as Hicks & Healey Cornish Whiskey. The partnership combines one of Cornwall's great brewing institutions with the county's pioneering distillery.
The Hicks & Healey brand won Jim Murray's European Whiskey of the Year award in 2013, bringing international attention to England's oldest registered whiskey. As of 2026, a 22-year-old expression is in development — a spirit that has matured for over two decades and represents the oldest English whiskey in existence.
Production
Hicks & Healey Cornish Whiskey is produced using Maris Otter Cornish barley brewed by St Austell Brewery into a wash, which is transported to Healeys for distillation, maturation in oak casks, and bottling. The spirit is aged on the Cornish Cyder Farm in conditions shaped by the maritime climate of the Lizard Peninsula. Spirits produced at Healeys include the whiskey, cider brandy, Cornish gin, eau de vie, and various cider and apple-based products.
Tasting Character
Hicks & Healey Cornish Whiskey is a single malt in the English tradition: full-bodied for a young spirit, with prominent barley character from the Maris Otter variety. Tasting notes include spice, honey, barley, cocoa, caramel, and smooth vanilla with delicate fruit. The standard single malt is bottled at cask strength, the 15 Year Old expression adds greater integration and depth. The 22-year-old in development is expected to show the fully matured complexity of an English single malt that has spent two decades ageing in Cornwall's Atlantic-influenced climate.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- Hicks & Healey Cornish Single Malt Whiskey — Standard expression; ~£55; spice, honey, barley, and vanilla
- Hicks & Healey 15 Year Old Single Malt — ~£150; greater depth and integration
- Hicks & Healey 22 Year Old (in development) — England's oldest whiskey; two decades of Cornish maturation
- Healeys Cornish Cyder Brandy — Apple-based brandy; the original distillery product (from 2000)
- Healeys Cornish Gin — Produced alongside the whiskey range
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Visiting
The Cornish Cyder Farm is open to visitors as a full working farm attraction. Tours of the cider and distillery operations available. Shop, café, and farm attractions on site. Address: Penhallow, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9LW. Online shop at healeyscyder.co.uk.
Official Website
