White Peak distillery

The White Peak Distillery, founded by Max and Claire Vaughn was granted a building permit in July 2017 at Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ambergate, Derbyshire. The distillery laid down its first casks in May 2018 and the White Peak single malt whisky ‘Wire Works’ is due to appear in October 2021.

Location

A Peak District whisky distillery is housed in some of the country’s oldest factory buildings at the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ambergate, Derbyshire.

From May 22, 2021, the distillery should be open again for tours and tastings. Let’s hope that traveling around the UK will soon be possible again for tourists from the continent.

How does White Peak taste?

The first White Peak single malt is due to appear in October 2021 so watch this space. The distillery is also pioneering the use of fresh, live brewers yeast in its fermentations which it collects each week from a brewery in the Peak District. This is expected to add unique flavour to its whisky.

Production

The former Johnson & Nephew wire works is sat by a River Derwent cold water from which is piped around the building to help cool the stills in a sustainable way.

History

A program was set up on Crowdcube where backers could become fractional co-owner of the distillery, the White Peak was ready to open the first of its barrels after crowdfunding more than £1.2 million. Max and Claire Vaughn were given permission to convert the former Johnson & Nephew wire works by the River Derwent in July 2017.

White Peak Distillery laid down its first casks in May 2018 since which time they have had great success with their Shining Cliff Gin but their longerm goal has always been whisky and their first single malt whisky ‘Wire Works’ is due to appear in October 2021.

White Peak factsheet

Can I tour White Peak?

Yes White Peak distillery is tourable. On Trip Advisor the distillery has been rated as excellent by 131 of 135 tours to date. This gives White Peak an overall rating of 5.0