Spirit of Yorkshire releases first single malt

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery in Hunmanby has launched the county's first single malt whisky. 

Inspired by the bay that is in sight of the distillery, Filey Bay Single Malt Whisky (46% ABV) is the latest addition to the English single malt category.

Spirit of Yorkshire's whisky director, Joe Clark says: "From our very first distillations, we have always set out to create a defined house style and a light, fruity whisky. We have very firm production principles and a 100 per cent field to bottle process. Quality underpins absolutely every aspect of our production from the barley we grow to the casks we source for maturation.

"You can't rush whisky. That is the nature of the spirit and it's massively exciting to see our 2016 casks yielding a whisky full of character. Our First Release is a combination of our two distillate styles matured in select oak casks to produce a whisky that is creamy, light and fruity with flavours of vanilla, honey, citrus and caramel."

Filey Bay First Release is limited to 6,000 70cl bottles that retail for £55. It is available from the distillery shop, online at www.spiritofyorkshire.com, in all Booths stores, Farmer Copleys and from selected premium retailers throughout the UK.

Of the launch, Spirit of Yorkshire co-founder, David Thompson says: "Filey Bay is unique. Not only is it Yorkshire's first single malt whisky, but we are one of only a handful of whisky makers in the UK that have a full field to bottle process. As well as this, our production allows us to create two different spirit styles, using a pot and column still configuration to create a flavour profile that is unlike any other malt whisky. Even our bottle is bespoke, bringing together our land and coast, and our mascot, the gannet. Every bottle of Filey Bay represents the passion and dedication of everyone involved. You only get to release the county's first whisky once and we're thrilled to now share it with customers old and new."

Booths' buyer Pete Newton says: "Booths is delighted to be supporting the Spirit of Yorkshire with their release of Filey Bay into all of its stores. It's a very exciting time to see such a great example of a single malt whisky being produced in one of our local counties."

Spirit of Yorkshire was launched in 2016 and is a collaboration between farmer and brewer, Tom Mellor from Wold Top Brewery and business partner, David Thompson. The pair have worked to create a sustainable whisky distillery here in Yorkshire, that doesn't simply replicate Scotch production. The distillery is a field to bottle setup, with barley and water sourced from the distillery farm, and boasts some of the most impressive distilling equipment in the country, including two of the largest Forsyth pot stills operating in the UK outside of Scotland.

Hour long tours of the distillery take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm Monday to Saturday and 11am and 1pm on Sunday. They cost £12.50 and include three tasters (or a ‘Drivers' Drams' pack to take away) and a branded nosing glass.

16 October 2019 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editor