White Peak Distillery launches first single malt whisky

Derbyshire craft distillery White Peak has announced the release of its first single malt whisky.

Wire Works Whisky, named after the distillery's home, is designed to celebrate its homeland, including the region's rich brewing heritage. Each aspect of production has taken place on-site at the distillery.

The lightly peated single malt whisky has been created using a combination of English un-peated and peated malted barley. The distillery used a four-day fermentation process using a unique yeast blend incorporating live yeast, sourced from a Peak District brewery. It was distilled slowly on White Peak's custom-built McMillan copper pot stills and matured in a variety of first-fill oak casks inclding ex-Bourbon and STR (shaved, toasted and recharred) casks.

White Peak says Wire Works Whisky is fruit forward with notes of vanilla, chocolate and orchard fruit on the nose and roasted malt and toffee on the palate.

Max Vaughan, who co-founded the distillery in 2016 with wife Claire, said: "The journey we've been on since we started the distillery has been amazing and full of challenges, but we've never lost sight of making the best spirit we can and this moment of releasing our own single malt whisky. We're realising a dream that our small and passionate team has been focused on since day one."

"We are exceptionally proud of our heritage and local provenance within the Peak District and believ that our Wire Works Whisky brings all of the best elements of our homeland together in one special spirit. In many ways we are only just at the start and we hope that our supporters and distillery friends will enjoy celebrating this very special moment with us."

Just 5,016 numbered bottles of Wire Works Whisky will be available from 3 February, with more releases planned for 2022. White Peak's followers and supporters, including Temperance Club members, cask owners and crowdfunding investors, have the opportunity to reserve a bottle ahead of the launch date.

Wire Works Whisky is available directly from the distillery and from selected trade retail partners, including Booths, Master of MAlt, The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Selfridges and Hard to Find Whisky (RRP £65).

28 January 2022 - Bethany Whymark