White Peak Distillery

History

White Peak Distillery is Derbyshire's first fully craft distillery and was founded in 2016. They make Wire Works Whisky, Shining Cliff Gin and rum with a focus on Derbyshire provenance and local heritage. The distillery sits by the River Derwent in Ambergate, near Shining Cliff Woods in the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works, and its history and location have inspired their approach to production and guest experiences. The founders are Max Vaughan and Claire Vaughan, and the team's vision is described through the motto on the label: Virtus Patienta Veritus – patience and truth as core values. The region and the Derwent Valley are part of the UNESCO World Heritage area, underscoring the distillery's connection to the place's industrial heritage and natural surroundings.

Production/Manufacturing

Production takes place in small batches and everything happens on-site: mashing, fermentation and maturation. They use locally sourced brewer's yeast (live yeast) and an unusually long fermentation to create a characterful new spirit, which is later aged in their own aging room. The distillery has hand-built copper stills – 3,000 L and 2,100 L – centrally located in the Still House. Their whisky range follows a "flavour before cask" philosophy and involves aging in ex-bourbon, STR (shaved, toasted, recharred) and other special-cask types, giving a fruity, lightly smoky style.

Their portfolio includes a range of products under the Wire Works name – Caduro, Port Cask, Bourbon Barrel and Coastal Smoke – which show a consistent style: light, fruity, with notes from bourbon and STR casks and a lightly peated character in some editions. In addition to whisky they also make White Peak Rum on-site without added sugars and with a focus on local ingredients such as panela sugar, master aging and on-site production.

The distillery is also behind a range of events and visits, and they export Wire Works Whisky abroad as well as selling directly via their shop and partners.

Products and Whisky Series

Wire Works Caduro

Single Malt English Whisky – Style: Lightly Peated – Cask: Bourbon/STR – 46.8% ABV. Nose: orchard fruit, banana, candy cane; Palate: citrus zest, vanilla, honey; Finish: wisp of smoke. Caduro is the cornerstone of the Provenance Core Range.

Wire Works Port Cask

Provenance Core Range – 50.2% ABV. Aged in fresh Tawny Port barriques and first-fill ex-bourbon. Nose: Bakewell pudding, cinder toffee, vanilla fudge; Palate: marzipan, strawberry cream, lemon, vanilla; Finish: cherry pie, toffee and spice. Develops a rich, fruity profile with a light smoke finish.

Wire Works Bourbon Barrel

Provenance Core Range – 53.4% ABV. Aged in ex-bourbon and highlights bourbon notes and a light smoky character.

Wire Works Coastal Smoke

Newest Limited Edition – 50.0% ABV. Dual maturation in ex-bourbon and ex-Islay casks; tropical fruits meet sea brine and soft smoke.

Wire Works Amarone Wine

Limited Edition – 53.6% ABV. Aged in ex-bourbon and finished in Amarone wine barrique; rich, sweet and fruity with subtle smoke.

Wire Works Whisky Port Cask (Core Range – Port Cask description as later release)

An evolution in the core series, where Tawny Port barriques from Dias Cooperage and first-fill ex-bourbon provide an oily texture and fruity depth.

In addition to the whisky range, White Peak Distillery also produces White Peak Rum, where the rum is made with panela sugar juice and master aging on-site without added color or sugar – a full flavor lifecycle from Derbyshire.

Tasting notes (general indications from tasting notes)

• Caduro: Orchard fruit, banana, candy sugar, citrus zest, vanilla, honey; finish with a soft trail of smoke.

• Port Cask: Bakewell pudding, cinder toffee, vanilla fudge; palate with strawberry, marzipan and lemon; finish with chocolate and spices.

White Peak Distillery also has products and events such as Whisky In The Woods (guided tastings of selected Wire Works drams) and has garnered recognition as Best World Whisky 2025 for the portfolio.

Their products are produced and sold via the distillery shop, online shop and UK partners; they export Wire Works Whisky abroad and offer direct shipping through partners.

Visits and Experiences

Distillery Tours

White Peak Distillery offers tours of the Wire Works area focusing on guest experience and production – including a personal tasting setup and an overview of their small-batch production as well as gin and rum that are part of the distillery's portfolio.

Whisky In The Woods

A highlighted event where six selected drams are paired with boards of meat and cheese and guided tastings in the town's quiet room. Dates in November and December, about a 3-hour session with private bars and a flavorful experience.

Their visit and experience offerings reflect a strong emphasis on experiential engagement and direct encounters with the products, including an approach to using their own glassware and a focus on safety and hygiene during visits.

Philosophy

White Peak Distillery emphasizes Derbyshire provenance and the industry's heritage as the foundation for their products. They aim to be Derbyshire's first fully craft distillery and work with a long-term vision for craftsmanship and product quality without compromise. Their motto, Virtus Patienta Veritus, encapsulates the belief in patience and truth in the process. The region around the River Derwent and Shining Cliff Woods provides a strong anchor to the place's history and environment. They focus on a sustainable and open approach to people, community and craftsmanship – reflected in their tours, events and open approach to the market.