White Peak debuts Bourbon Barrel whisky

English producer White Peak, Derbyshire’s first single malt whisky distillery, has created a new expression entirely matured in ex-Bourbon barrels.

Although the whisky bears no age statement, it is made using some of the oldest casks in White Peak’s warehouse.

Husband-and-wife team Max and Claire Vaughan founded White Peak Distillery in 2016, said to be Derbyshire’s first full-scale craft distillery. It released its inaugural single malt in 2022.

Wire Works Bourbon Barrel is the distillery’s first release to be fully matured in ex-Bourbon barrels and is lightly peated.

Bottled at 53.5% ABV, it will join Wire Works Caduro as the second permanent expression in the brand’s core range of products.

Max Vaughan said: “Bourbon Barrel is a signature whisky for us, elevating our house style and showcasing our unique flavour elements; our Derbyshire home, lightly peated malt barley, fresh local brewer’s yeast, long fermentation and slow distillation.

“Ex-Bourbon barrels are considered to be relatively inactive and so their exclusive use in maturation can really highlight a distillery’s true house character.

“It’s more than six years since we fired up the stills, and we feel the time is right in 2024 to open up our soul with this release. This is some of our oldest liquid from some of our favourite casks, and we hope White Peak whisky lovers will enjoy it as much as we’ve enjoyed our journey so far.”

The expression will be available from the distillery and select trade partners in the UK for £65 (US$82).