White Peak Distillery: History, Wire Works Whisky and Visitor Guide
White Peak Distillery has made Derbyshire part of the English single malt map. Based at the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works beside the River Derwent in Ambergate, the distillery produces Wire Works Whisky using a distinctive fermentation approach and a site with an industrial history. Its first single malt was released in February 2022, and the range now extends well beyond that inaugural bottle.
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White Peak Distillery at a glance
Quick fact | White Peak Distillery |
|---|---|
Location | The Wire Works, Matlock Road, Ambergate, Derbyshire DE56 2HE |
Founders | Max and Claire Vaughan |
Established | 2016 |
First own whisky released | February 2022 |
Style | English single malt whisky; generally lightly peated Wire Works expressions |
Whisky brand | Wire Works Whisky |
Distillery status | Operating and open for bookable tours |
Official website | whitepeakdistillery.co.uk |
Last checked 25 October 2026. Planned releases and visitor information are date-sensitive.
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Where is White Peak Distillery?
White Peak is on Matlock Road in Ambergate, a village north of Derby and near Belper, overlooking the River Derwent. The former wire works lies within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage setting. The nineteenth-century industrial surroundings are integral to the name Wire Works, not merely a backdrop for it.
The historic Johnson & Nephew complex once made wire and cable products. Rather than constructing a standalone visitor-centre building, White Peak adapted industrial premises to house its stills, maturation and tasting facilities.
White Peak Distillery history and development
Max and Claire Vaughan founded the distillery in 2016. They wanted to make spirits with a clear Derbyshire identity, and the former wire works offered an existing site with enough character to become the foundation for a new operation. The owners have described spending years turning an enthusiasm for whisky into the staff, investment and equipment needed to operate a distillery.
Production developed over the following years, with local brewer's yeast and lengthy fermentation forming central parts of the distillery's house style. White Peak laid down its first whisky casks in 2018, giving the spirit time to mature rather than launching a whisky immediately.
The inaugural Wire Works single malt appeared in February 2022. The release marked a turning point for Derbyshire distilling, while subsequent releases explored different cask types and expressions. By October 2026, White Peak was marking its tenth anniversary and had secured wider distribution for Caduro in the Midlands and North West.
Who owns the distillery and who is behind it?
White Peak remains associated with founders Max and Claire Vaughan. Max's background in business and enthusiasm for whisky helped bring the production operation into being, while Claire has been closely involved in the brand, presentation and development of the visitor experience.
The business has grown into a small team that produces, matures and bottles spirits on site. White Peak's own account stresses that the distillery's methods and flavour are more important than the novelty of being a new English maker.
How White Peak Distillery makes or plans to make whisky
Wire Works is distilled from malted barley. White Peak makes deliberate use of local brewer's yeast, long fermentation and copper pot stills to develop a fruity base spirit. Producer descriptions also discuss a lightly peated element in its whisky character, although the exact profile varies between releases.
The spirit matures in different oak casks at the distillery. Bourbon wood, STR-treated casks and other specially selected finishes give the range contrasting styles. Detailed fermentation timings, cask ratios and strengths depend on the specific expression, so the headline figures in earlier research should not be treated as a permanent recipe for every bottle.
White Peak Distillery whisky bottles and expression comparison
White Peak has an established range. The distinctions below concern released Wire Works whisky rather than visitor-only tastings or unverified future products.
Bottle or expression | What is confirmed |
|---|---|
Wire Works Caduro | A named current Wire Works single malt; the producer's site lists it and it was selected for a 2026 retail rollout. |
Wire Works Bourbon Barrel | A producer-listed bourbon-cask expression, reflecting another side of the Wire Works range. |
Wire Works inaugural release (February 2022) | The first distillery single malt, released as a limited numbered batch. Historical stock is not guaranteed. |
Other Wire Works releases | Different limited cask treatments, including more heavily flavoured and smoky expressions, require bottle-specific verification. |
Awards and recognition
The distillery advertises awards for Wire Works whisky and highlights a Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2026 accolade on its official site. It has also described a 2025 Best World Whisky distinction in its tour information. These are producer-supplied award statements; category and event details should be checked for individual bottles.
Because awards can recognise one release rather than the entire product range, Whisky Clan does not transfer those results automatically to every Wire Works bottling.
Visiting White Peak Distillery
The current official tour page lists one-hour distillery tours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with additional whisky-focused sessions on Friday and Saturday afternoons. The listed adult price was £18 as checked on 25 October 2026. Warehouse tours are a separate, longer experience on selected dates.
Visitors can explore the still house and learn about the wire works' industrial history before tasting spirits. The website says distillery-shop opening is generally Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. Booking availability, restrictions and prices may change, so confirm on the official tour page before travelling.
Explore more English whisky distilleries
Explore related distillery guides on Whisky Clan to compare production methods, history and released bottles.
Cotswolds Distillery — Another English single malt producer with a distinctive rural approach.
The English Distillery — A Norfolk pioneer of English single malt whisky.
Spirit of Yorkshire — The producer of Filey Bay whisky in Yorkshire.
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Frequently asked questions about White Peak Distillery
Where is White Peak Distillery?
At the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works in Ambergate, Derbyshire, near the River Derwent.
Who owns White Peak Distillery?
White Peak was founded by Max and Claire Vaughan in 2016. The founders continue to be associated with the operation.
When did Wire Works whisky first appear?
The distillery released its inaugural single malt in February 2022, after years of developing the spirit and maturing casks.
What is Wire Works Caduro?
A current White Peak single malt expression sold under the Wire Works whisky range. Strength and availability should be verified on the specific bottle.
Can I visit White Peak?
Yes. The distillery has regular scheduled tours and a shop. Check current times and prices before visiting.
About the author
Filip Janczak researches and writes Whisky Clan distillery guides using producer sources, whisky catalogues and independently reported history. He does not invent bottle reviews or tasting scores.
Sources, official links and photograph credits
Source material is listed below so readers can explore Whisky Clan's linked guides before visiting external websites. Facts were checked 25 October 2026.
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