A Journey to White Peak Distillery: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Derbyshire
A Journey to White Peak Distillery: A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Derbyshire
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Derbyshire, White Peak Distillery is a must-visit for any whisky enthusiast or anyone looking to explore the rich heritage of English spirits. Jenni and I were invited along to visit by their UK trade manager Richard McKeand, as we were in the area for our daughter Josie’s England Talent Academy Hockey tournament, and he was at the distillery meeting with Max, who’s family have a close tie to hockey with their own children’s successes. Max and Claire set up the distillery in 2016 and have been the driving force in delivering the success the distillery has had.
The White Peak Distillery: A historical Gem
Hidden on an old industrial warehousing estate the site of The Wire Works has a rich history. It was once part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, a 24-kilometer stretch along the River Derwent from Derby to Matlock Bath. This valley is famous for its technological innovations, including groundbreaking water-powered manufacturing systems.
Originally, the site was an iron forge owned by the Hurt family in the early 1800s. Later, the Johnson family transformed it into a wire works in 1876. The Johnson & Nephew Wire Works became a pioneer in wire and cable products, supplying materials for early suspension bridges and even sub-sea cross-channel telegraph service. The 'coolest' thing made here was the suspension cables for the Humber Bridge.
The Wire Works existed for an impressive 120 years until its closure in the mid-1990s. It was a major local employer, known for its fair and generous support of community events.
White Peak Distillery has taken inspiration from this industrial heritage, bringing the buildings back to life with a new purpose—one that honours the past while creating something exciting for people far and wide. To cement this homage to history and the area, the whisky is named Wire Works and the gin is Shining Cliff, gin, because the distillery is in the Shining Cliff woods.
Our visit to this charming distillery was nothing short of enchanting, and we are excited to share our experience with you.
An Immersive Tour: From Barley to Barrel to Bottle
Arrival and First Impressions
As we approached the distillery, the first thing that struck us was the stunning scenery. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, White Peak Distillery is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The building itself, a beautifully restored Victorian-era warehouse, exudes a rustic charm that perfectly complements its surroundings.
The Tour
The tour began with a warm welcome from Louise and Richard, and we able to enjoy a well needed cup of coffee before we were taken on a tour of the distillery. We were also honoured to meet the Distillery Manager, the legend of the White Peak Distillery, Dave Symes who has been a key part of the business since Feb 2018 and has been a key part of every drop of whisky the distillery has ever made.
We were guided around by Tom Lindsey the White Peak brand ambassador. He was, as you would expect, a true fountain of information, sharing fascinating insights into the history of the distillery and the whisky-making process. Tom has also been behind every drop the distillery has released, as he's the person who puts all the vattings together before he, Dave and Max gather as the panel to decide upon which version of anything gets released.
We started in the malt room, where the journey of whisky begins. The aroma of malted barley filled the air, setting the stage for what was to come. The distillery proudly sources its barley right there in Derbyshire, keeping it local, as far as possible but where there cannot source enough locally they keep it English for the rest. Supplied by Crisp Malt, the barley is lightly peated at a level of up to 10 ppm (Phenol Parts per Million) in the barley.
Where the magic happens.
Next, we moved to the mash tun and fermentation area. Here, Dave explained the intricate process of converting malted barley into a fermentable liquid. Picture this: White Peak Distillery, a true trailblazer, rendezvousing with fresh, live brewer’s yeast, collected from a local brewery, Thornbridge, from their Jaipur IPA, every week - a delicate dance of fermentation. It’s as if the distillery and yeast waltz together, whispering secrets in bubbles and froth, spouting forth exotic aromas to tease the taste buds and set expectations of tastings to come.
The sight of the large copper stills was a highlight, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into every batch of whisky. The copper pot stills were hand-built to their designs and add the final magic to their spirit. They are designed to allow the greatest degree of reflux to further build on the fruity base liquid and to draw out and retain the decedent fruitiness that will deliver a delicious tasting whisky at a relatively young age, that does not have to sit around for a decade or more to be its best.
Sustainable Cooling:
Remember the former Johnson & Nephew wire works? Well, the River Derwent that flows nearby was used to cool the metal works for over a century and Max wanted to continue this tradition. Cold water from the river is piped around the distillery building, gently cooling the stills condensers.
It’s not just practical; it’s poetic too. The same river that once cooled wire now cools whisky. Sustainability meets history.
The Wood
The main stay for the distillery are Ex Bourbon and STR casks, but they have also been using ex Port and Ex Rum casks, from rum that is produced on site, to produce some excellent finishes. One of our favourites is their Wire Works Full Port expression. They have a host of other casks too, from Madeira and Mostcatel (about to release a few hundred of each), calvados, stout and a number of others include a few ex Islay. We cannot wait to sample these delights to see how the spirit has developed in the different wood and especially the marriage with the ex Islay.....
The keener eyed may spot the Never Say Die Bourbon barrles in the picture above..... Never Say Die is the first Bourbon to be distilled in Kentucky, shipped via Atlantic Ocean vessel and then matured in England, in the White Peak Distillery dunnage warehouse no less. The distillery stores the NSD barrels as they mature, before emptying them and refilling them with their own new make all under the one roof. Without doubt the freshest source of ex Bourbon barrels in the UK! This also ensures a reliable source of bourbon casks for the distillery as they continue to grow.
The Bottle and Label
The distillery bottle and label everything on site themselves. Nothing leaves the distillery until it is bottled in their own glass. The bottle, an art work in its own right, was the better part of 18 months to designing their own bottle mould. This depicts the cables going up the height of the bottle and being twisted into a cable when they meet at the neck, paying further homage to the history and heritage of the wire works site.
The labels are laid out like a technical drawing spec which is another piece of homage to the distillery being just up the river from the birthplace of the industrial revolution and wanting to capture the feeling of engineering and manufacturing heritage from the area. The label, which is laid out in blocks just like the way a technical drawing spec is done, has an Issue number assigned rather than a batch as is more traditionally done. This is because technical drawing specs are each given an "issue" number.
A Tasting to Remember: Whisky and More
No visit to a distillery would be complete without a tasting session, and White Peak Distillery did not disappoint. The tasting room itself was a cozy space, with comfortable seating and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It was the perfect setting to savour the exquisite whiskies and engage in lively discussions with fellow visitors.
As fans of the distillery, we have tried most of their whiskies, but we were guided through a selection of their finest newest whiskies, each with its own unique character and flavour profile.
First was the Wire Works Bourbon Barrel, a lightly peated spirit that had been matured in Ex Heaven Hills Bourbon casks. This whisky has been bottled at 53.4%, the notes of custard creams, lemon zest, icing sugar, chocolate covered peanuts, honey, gingerbread were a real delight.
Next we tried the Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish a vatting of lightly-peated single malt initially matured in Ex-bourbon casks and finished in ‘Necessary Evil’ imperial stout oak casks from Derbyshire-based Thornbridge Brewery. Sweet & savoury with hazelnuts, light roast coffee and roasted malt on the nose, with cacao nibs, dates, prunes and marmalade on the palate, and a sweet malty, smoky finish. This was an absolute outstanding expression and vies for our favourite spot…..
Not to miss out we finished with a tasting of the non whisky spirits, starting with the Shining Cliff Gin and Citrus Gin, both of which were great gins and have been added to our shelves as a consequence.
Last, but by no means least, was the White Peak Rum. Made entirely from scratch at the distillery, this is a rum to savour. A long 30-day fermentation gives White Peak Rum real depth of flavour and complexity, all coming from the distilled spirit. 3 different cask maturations, Ex Bourbon, Virgin oak and STR, contribute to the complexity and layers of flavour from nose to finish.
A Conversation with Max: Passion Behind the Spirit
To finish up we caught up with Max and Richard who were making the most of the gorgeous summer weather to hold their meeting outside sitting beside the river. Chatting to Max it was evident just how passionate he was about his whisky and the distillery he and Claire have built. We are certainly true fans of their delightful products and it was an honour to meet the team behind it all. We, well I at least, left with a hankering desire to set up our own distillery ….
A Lasting Impression: Why White Peak Distillery Should Be On Your Must Visit List
Visiting White Peak Distillery was an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning scenery, rich history, and exceptional whisky makes it a destination worth exploring. Whether you’re a seasoned whisky connoisseur or a curious newcomer, White Peak offers something for everyone. We left with a deeper appreciation for the art of whisky-making and a few bottles of their finest spirits to enjoy at home as well as a few grands worth of stock for the shops….
If you find yourself in Derbyshire, make sure to add White Peak Distillery to your itinerary. It’s a hidden gem that promises a memorable and enriching experience.
If you cannot visit then why not visit in spirit ;-) and try one or many of their wonderful expressions which can be found here.