White Peak launches Derbyshire’s first ever single malt:
-WIRE WORKS WHISKY-
named after the Distillery’s home
Derbyshire’s first full-scale craft Distillery – White Peak – is finally releasing its long-awaited single malt: Wire Works Whisky.
Provenance, heritage and flavour are at the heart of the Distillery ethos and whisky-making process, and its home at the dramatic, former *Johnson & Nephew Wire Works is celebrated within the whisky brand. The Distillery’s woodland home on the banks of the River Derwent has a long history of innovation and forms part of a *UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wire Works Whisky celebrates its rich homeland and the brewing heritage for which the region is so renowned. Every aspect of production and maturation is done onsite at the Distillery to ensure that the unique location and environment can play their part in the provenance of the final spirit.
The lightly-peated single malt whisky has been created using a combination of English un-peated and peated malted barley. A flavour-focused four day fermentation uses a unique yeast blend incorporating live yeast sourced from a local Peak District brewery.
The Distillery’s traditional, bespoke copper pot stills have been hand-built by McMillan and are run slowly to help produce the desired flavour profile. The final spirit is matured in a variety of carefully selected first fill oak casks, including ex-bourbon and STR casks (re-conditioned casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred), adding the final rich flavours to the spirit that will become Wire Works Whisky.
A complex, fruit-forward, lightly peated spirit – Wire Works Whisky has a delicious aroma of vanilla, chocolate, orchard fruit and orange peel, with roasted malt and toffee on the palate and a strong finish, with moments of café mocha, a hint of peat and liquorice allsorts.
Founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Max & Claire Vaughan – both originally from Derbyshire – White Peak Distillery has gone from strength to strength in its first few years, winning awards for its Distillery visitor experiences, as well as its new make and maturing single malt spirit: the journey to now and the reveal of the Distillery’s new whisky.
Max Vaughan, Co-founder of White Peak Distillery 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 believe 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 3rd February, with more releases planned for 2022. White Peak’s loyal followers and supporters – including their Temperance Club members, cask owners and crowdfunding investors – have had the opportunity to reserve their own bottle ahead of the launch date.
Wire Works Whisky is available from Thursday 3rd February directly from the Distillery and selected trade retail partners, including various nationwide independents: Booths (leading food and drink retailer in the northern counties), Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Selfridges, House of Malt and Hard to Find Whisky, RRP: £65 (70cl).
The Distillery is open Monday – Saturday for shop visitors, with tours available every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For availability, timings and to book, please visit www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk
Notes
*Johnson & Nephew Wire Works: The Distillery site was originally used as an iron forge owned by the Hurt family in the early 1800s. The derelict forge was then transformed by the Johnson Family into a wire works in 1876. Johnson & Nephew was a pioneer and innovator in wire and cable products, including supplying cable for the first, sub-sea cross channel telegraph service and numerous early suspension bridges in the UK and overseas. The Johnson family were part of the group of entrepreneurs that established the industrial heritage of the Peak District region.
The Wire Works thrived for most of its 120 years until its closure in the mid-1990s and was a major local employer, known to be fair and generous in supporting local community events. The buildings stand proud alongside the River Derwent and back into the Shining Cliff Woods, an ancient woodland and site of specific scientific interest.
Wire Works Whisky tasting notes:
A complex, fruit-forward, lightly peated spirit. Vanilla, chocolate and orchard fruit on the nose, with roasted malt and caramel on the palate and a strong finish with moments of café mocha, a hint of peat and liquorice all sorts.
On the nose…
Chocolate-covered cinder toffee, vanilla, caramel, Caramac bars, candied ginger, orange peel, macadamia nuts, baked fruits, pear drops, icing sugar, glacé cherries and lightly roasted coffee beans.
On the palate…
Dark chocolate, a flash of pepper, chilli across the tongue, roasted malt, orchard fruits, raisins, toffee apple, black forest gateaux, butterscotch, cigar box, sandalwood and a wisp of smoke.
The finish…
A long finish, with café mocha, chilli chocolate, liquorice all sorts and a final hint of peat.