The Virgin Oak is a single malt whisky from the English distillery of White Peak. The Wire Works Virgin Oak is planned to become a core product in time, but his limited edition offers a preview. The whisky is in the distillery's signature lightly peated style and saw initial maturation in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. The spirit was then finished for several months in virgin American oak barrels with differing toasting and charring levels, then married together.
The White Peak distillery was founded in 2017 by Max and Claire Vaughan. It is located in the village of Ambergate near Matlock, Derbyshire. This is in the Peak District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The distillery is housed within the former Johnson & Nephew copper wire factory on the banks of the River Derwent. This was the inspiration behind the name of Wire Works for the brand. They also produce rum and gin, as well as supporting the local community in eco-friendly and sustainability projects. It is Derbyshire's first ever craft whisky distillery.
"With this release, we are giving whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to savour the unique flavours of our lightly-peated spirit and the journey it has taken in new wood. Matured in virgin oak casks from the renowned Kelvin Cooperage and with a selection of char levels, this whisky introduces a delightful range of flavours."Claire Vaughan.
Wire Works Virgin Oak is released at 50.5% ABV and there are just 2,769 bottles. It is available at the distillery shop, online via www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk and in selected whisky specialist retailers in the UK. A bottle will cost £67.
The colour is vibrant gold and the nose is sweet and confected on initial approach. Aromas of vanilla patisserie custard and sweet orange rise first and are followed by toffee, marshmallow and boiled fruit sweets. Further aromas of fresh coconut, white chocolate and pinches of cinnamon and cocoa are also evident, plus a background whiff of gentle peat smoke.
On the palate this whisky is peppery and spiky to begin with. The peat smoke is much more noticable than on the nose and comes to the fore early. It is soft, sweet and gentle and whisps around the other evolving characteristics. Then comes the vanilla sweetness - this is reminsicent of a creme anglais in a good patisserie - and this is backed up by further confected notes of marshmallow, nougat and white chocolate. Candied lemon and a hint of dessicated cocnut add further depth. The final layer is woody and oaky which gives warmth, dryness and complexity. This starts off sweeter before becoming drier and spicier - this of freshly sawn oak evolving into cinnamon bark.
The finish is long and where the peat smoke really comes through. As the sweet and woody notes begin to fade the gentle peat begins to dominate and add an ashy quality to the whisky. This lingers for a longer than expected time and gives a pleasant warm and drying feel.
What's The Verdict?
Yet another excellent release from White Peak. We love what they are doing. They show that smoky whisky, albeit lightly peated, can be pushed in many different directions just as unpeated spirit can be. Their use of casks is highly sympathetic to their spirit and their whiskies are highly versatile. We love this experimental and innovative approach and it puts White Peak right at the forefront of the English whisky scene in our view. Long may it continue.
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