New ‘Virgin Oak’ release unveils a new bold side to
Wire Works Whisky
-White Peak Distillery, Derbyshire-
White Peak, the award-winning Derbyshire distillery, is unveiling a bold dimension of its Wire Works Whisky this season with a rich Virgin Oak Cask whisky release.
Wire Works Virgin Oak is a progression towards a permanent addition to the Distillery’s portfolio – the first being Caduro that launched in March this year. This is the second whisky release from White Peak that has been matured in Virgin Oak – a development of a limited release in 2022.
Bottled at 50.5% ABV, Virgin Oak’s flavour profile is true to the Wire Works house style – made with lightly peated malted barley, live brewer’s yeast and a six day fermentation time to add deep fruit notes in the spirit. A vatting of lightly peated single malt whisky initially matured in premium, first fill ex-bourbon barrels and then finished for several months at a lower ABV in virgin American oak barrels (with a select range of toast and char levels). The bold oak-forward flavours of the casks contribute to the intensity and combination of sweet & spice, showcasing the rich fruit flavours and elegant smoke profile of the core house spirit.
Claire Vaughan, founder of White Peak Distillery said: “In our latest release, we’re giving whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to savour the unique flavours of our lightly-peated spirit and explore the journey our whisky has taken in new wood. Matured in Virgin Oak casks from the renowned Kelvin Cooperage, celebrated for exceptional quality, this is a development of the limited edition 2022 release. The selection of char levels in this vatting introduces a delightful range of flavours, from lighter toasted nuts, vanilla, and sweetness to the richer notes of caramel and toffee. This whisky is a perfect dram for the fireside.”
White Peak Distillery was founded seven years ago by husband-and-wife team Max & Claire Vaughan – both originally from Derbyshire – and continues to go from strength to strength. Last year saw the Distillery winning multiple awards, not only for its whisky, but also for its Distillery visitor experiences and the much-celebrated, sustainable Wire Works Whisky packaging.
Wire Works Virgin Oak will be available from 20th October onwards, via the Distillery shop and online, as well as from trade partners including Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and select independents nationwide, RRP: £67 per 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
About Wire Works Virgin Oak:
50.5% ABV
2,769 individually numbered bottles
As with all Wire Works Whiskies, Virgin Oak is 100% natural colour and non-chill filtered.
Virgin Oak Tasting Notes:
Nose: Banoffee pie, fruit salad sweets, pistachio and cranberries
Palate: Treacle tart, toasted nuts and sweet spice
Finish: Light lingering smoke
About Wire Works Whisky:
Wire Works Whisky from White Peak Distillery is Derbyshire’s very first single malt.
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, virgin and STR (re-conditioned casks that have been shaved, toasted and re-charred), adding the final rich flavours to the whisky.
White Peak Distillery Awards:
2022 and 2023 has seen White Peak also win numerous awards for their whiskies and packaging, as below:
UK Packaging Awards 2022:
- Corrugated Pack of the Year
- Best Packaging of a New Product
- Glass Pack of the Year, Spirits, Perfumes and Cosmetics
The Global World Whisky Masters 2022:
- Necessary Evil: Gold
- Small Batch: Gold
International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2022:
- Best Contemporary Design: Wire Works Whisky
International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2023:
People’s Choice Awards 2023:
- Best Whisky: Wire Works Whisky Small Batch – World Whisky Category
2023 World Whisky Masters Wire Works Caduro Gold
2023 World Whisky Masters Wire Works Alter Ego Masters
English Whisky Guild:
White Peak Distillery is one of the 15 members of the English Whisky Guild, that was founded in 2022 by the English whisky industry to represent the interests of the increasing number of English whisky distilleries (currently there are 40) on the world stage of whisky.
For further information visit: English Whisky Guild
