White Peak reveals Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish

25 Jul

A celebration of provenance, innovation, quality and friendshipfrom the heart of Derbyshire

Award-winning independent Derbyshire distillery White Peak is releasing its third iteration of a distillery favourite limited-edition: Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish.

This bottling is a bold expression of the distillery’s core values: provenance, heritage and flavour, brought to life through a unique collaboration with neighbouring Thornbridge Brewery.

The whisky is a dual maturation of White Peak’s lightly-peated spirit, matured initially in ex-bourbon barrels, before being finished in casks that previously held Thornbridge’s celebrated imperial stout, Necessary Evil. Since 2022, the Distillery has released two previous sell-out editions of Necessary Evil Finish. This year’s release, bottled again at 51.3%, is an evolution of the previous releases.

The STR (ex-red wine, shaved, toasted and recharred) finishing casks began life with Wire Works whisky, went on to mature Necessary Evil stout (winner of world beer awards 2024 world’s best flavoured beer), and then returned to White Peak for one final transformation. The story of Necessary Evil Finish is one of a unique Derbyshire relationship; a true journey of flavour, friendship and a shared commitment to quality.

Max Vaughan, co-founder of White Peak, explains:

“We’ve had a strong relationship with Thornbridge since we began. We use their spent brewer’s yeast in all our fermentations - collecting it weekly has become part of our distilling routine. Necessary Evil Finish brings the story full circle: whisky that starts life with Thornbridge yeast, and finishes its journey in their stout casks. It’s a reflection of our shared heritage and commitment to quality.”

Tom Lindsey, White Peak’s whisky lead and brand ambassador adds:

“We allowed this final finish to sit for around eight months, leaving some headspace in the cask to encourage subtle oxidation. The result is a wonderfully complex whisky with mellow, fruit-forward and savoury notes.”

This third release of Necessary Finish follows two previous sibling successes – the inaugural 2022 edition receiving Gold at the Global World Whisky Masters.

This year’s bottling will be available from 25th July at the Distillery (and selected UK retail partners including Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange) RRP: £69.

TASTING NOTES

Overview: Sweet & savoury, with hazelnuts, freshly roasted coffee and dark chocolate, dates, cranberry, and a gentle wisp of smoke.

Nose: Vanilla fudge, milk chocolate digestive biscuits, freshly roasted coffee, hazelnuts, flaked almonds, crème brûlée, baked apple pie, cassia, marzipan, sage, strawberry laces.

Palate: Cacao nibs, Black Forest gateaux, cracked black peppercorns, salted caramel, marmite on toast, butter pastry, Medjool dates, Seville orange marmalade, hint of spearmint, fresh espresso, soft white candy.

Finish: Rich dark chocolate, tobacco, murray mints, dark cherries, roasted malt, touch of smoke.