Ricky Gervais’ Ellers Farm debuts inaugural whisky
North Yorkshire distillery Ellers Farm, co-owned by Ricky Gervais, has unveiled its debut single malt English whisky called Three Ridings.
Ellers Farm Distillery, located in Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire, was established in 2021.
It produces Dutch Barn Vodka, Y-Gin, and a range of liqueurs. Last year acquired another gin in 6 O’Clock.
Founder Chris Fraser said the distillery’s whisky journey began three years ago, and draws on more than 200 years of experience in growing, malting and brewing Yorkshire-grown barley.
He said: “Three Ridings didn’t start with a marketing brief. It started with the question: how do we make the best possible single malt in Yorkshire that can stand alongside the very best in the world?”
The whisky’s name is taken from the East, North and West administrative areas of Yorkshire, known as Ridings.
Its distillation, maturation and blending has been led by the team at Ellers Farm, while other aspects, such as the barley malting, fermentation and brewing, were collaborated on with other local businesses: Fawcett & Sons in Castleford, and T&R Theakston brewery in Masham.
Simon Theakston, chairman of T&R Theakston, said: “The development of Three Ridings single malt whisky has been a wonderful adventure, shared with our supremely talented partners, Ellers Farm Distillery and Thomas Fawcett & Sons, building on our near 200 years of brewing the finest Yorkshire beer here in Masham.
“Developing the wash for a new malt whisky is a natural extension of what we do every day and will enable us to extend our reach into this new and exciting market. We could not be any more proud than we are of our association with Three Ridings single malt whisky.”
Focus on flavour
The team said they took advantage of English whisky’s creative freedom to “obsessively focus on flavour”.
The production saw deliberately long fermentations, distillation that was tuned to ‘soften rough edges’ without stripping away character, and maturation in ex-Bourbon American oak casks, which were carefully selected for their contributions rather than cost.
“Every decision is made with transparency and intention,” the team added.
Four Ridings is being presented without tasting notes or technical claims, so as to focus on how and why the whisky was made, and on the people who came together to make it differently.
Its launch is accompanied by a four-part documentary series that follows the regional collaboration between the three Yorkshire producers. The series gives a deeper look into the people, place and process behind the first release.
Each episode explores a part of the whisky’s creation and the maker involved.
The series launches with ‘How Great Whisky Begins; The Maltster’ with Thomas Fawcett & Sons; followed by ‘Beer, Not Wash: The Brewer’s Role in Whisky’ with T&R Theakston. The third episode is titled ‘Where Character Is Refined: The Distiller’ with Ellers Farm Distillery.
The last episode, titled ‘Three Makers, One Whisky’, focuses on Three Ridings. The documentary can be viewed on the brand’s digital channels, including YouTube.
The first Three Ridings whisky will be released later in the year with an ABV of 57.9%.
Drinkers can secure one of the 1,000 individually numbered First Release bottles through the purchase of the Evolution Collection on the brand’s website.
The Evolution Collection charts the distillery’s new make spirit’s journey from zero to 24 months old, and helps fans understand Three Ridings’ origins.
Ricky Gervais, who joined the distillery in November 2023 as co-owner, added: “I love working with people who care more about doing something properly than doing it quickly. Three Ridings is the result of the pursuit of excellence, and I am very proud of what we have created.”
Last April, The Spirits Business visited Ellers Farm Distillery, where, alongside a tour and tasting, Fraser shared insights into the upcoming whisky.
You can watch the trailer to Three Ridings’ documentary reveal below, with all episodes now available on YouTube:
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