A Cumbrian distillery has been named as one of the most important whisky brands to watch in the coming year.

Magazine The Spirits Business named the Lakes Distillery, near Bassenthwaite, as of one of three brands to watch in 2019, alongside Starwood from Australia and Hibiki from Japan.

The magazine said: “The Cumbria-­based Lakes Distillery, which was formed in 2011 and began operating in 2014, set auction records this year when it released its first single malt whisky. As the brand prepares to expand its portfolio and increase its production capacity further, more innovation could be on the horizon.”

Earlier this year the first bottle of single malt whisky from The Lakes Distillery broke the world record for the most expensive whisky from a new distillery, and the most expensive bottle of English whisky sold at auction.

The distillery auctioned 99 bottles of The Lakes Genesis Single Malt Whisky, with bottle number one selling for £7900.

Other whiskies released by The Lakes Distillery include The Lakes Single Malt Quatrefoil Collection and Steel Bonnets.

Nigel Mills CBE, chief executive officer of The Lakes Distillery, said: “To be named as one of three brands to watch in the world whisky market is a remarkable achievement. The analysis is from one of the most respected and expert publications in the sector; it knows the market and its opinion counts.

“Our whiskies are created by one of the world’s best whisky makers, Dhavall Ghandi. He sees every part of the whisky making process as interlinked, changing one element will effect change in everything else. Only by understanding how flavours are created throughout the journey through the distillery does the whisky-maker fully comprehend the possibilities."